Vandalism Report At Wind Tower Construction Site Could Reach $200,000

Vandalism over the weekend may have resulted in upwards to $200,000 in damage at a wind tower construction site.
Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore said his department is investigating a vandalism incident which occurred at a Prairie Breeze II wind turbine site in the vicinity of the “Million Dollar Corner” area.
Moore said sometime late Saturday or early Sunday morning a person or persons fired up an excavator and rolled one of the wind turbine “tubes” down a slope, marring it up.
The tube was damaged, but the extent of the damage can’t be determined, Moore said, until the manufacturer comes out to the site to inspect it. He estimated damage to be over $100,000 and could be as much as $200,000 if it needs to be taken back to the factory for repairs.
As a result of the incident, Moore said Wanzek Construction, general contractor for Prairie Breeze II, has hired a security company to monitor wind turbine sites until construction is completed. “The security company will have a white pickup with a yellow flashing light on it working the area,” the sheriff said.
Anyone with information in connection with the vandalism should contact the Antelope County Sheriff’s Department at (402) 887-4148.