North Dakota's biggest wind developer is proposing a $2 billion wind turbine farm in the west-central part of the state. It would be capable of generating 1,000 megawatts of electricity.

FPL Energy wants to build the wind farm over 250 square miles in Oliver and Morton counties. Its 667 wind turbines would be located in a region of North Dakota that is better known for coal mining and coal-fueled power plants.

FPL Energy filed a letter of intent with North Dakota's Public Service Commission to build the project. The company said it intends to submit a formal application in July 2009, and it wants a construction permit by May 2010.

North Dakota's Public Service Commission reviews the locations of large wind farms. The commission's president, Susan Wefald, said the project is almost triple the size of North Dakota's existing wind power capacity.

"In fact, it almost takes ... your breath away to think of how big this particular project is," Wefald said.