The operators of 143 wind turbines in southwest Minnesota have a new boss.

General Electric has been cleared by a bankruptcy court to buy the turbines near Lake Benton in the state's extreme southwest corner, which were owned by the now bankrupt Enron Corp.

The Minnesota turbines are just a portion of those purchased by GE for $325 million, and the distribution between Enron's European and U.S. subsidiaries proved controversial.

The turbines are among scores operated on the prairie of southwest Minnesota. The turbines have provided alternative energy to meet requirements of state and federal law for where utilities draw their electrical power.

It also comes several weeks after Xcel Energy officials began a public meeting tour of southwestern Minnesota cities to begin drumming support for a new $160 million power line the utility contends will serve planned expansion of turbines in the region.

Critics argue that the power line is actually being built to serve coal-generated power from South Dakota.