Like a lot of California transplants, 11 newcomers to Minnesota are having a hard time adjusting to our winters.

They are wind turbines, erected last fall by 11 metro and outstate cities. The green-energy machines were expected to be spinning before Christmas, but so far their blades have been largely motionless, apparently paralyzed by frigid weather.

The turbines sit idly in Anoka, North St. Paul, Chaska, Shakopee, Buffalo and six other cities, all members of the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA). The refurbished, 115-foot towers had operated on a California wind farm, where they didn't have to worry about cold hydraulic fluid turning to gel and oil lubricants getting too sluggish.

Avant Energy of Minneapolis, which operates the turbines for MMPA, says it is bringing in a company that will get the windmills running within two months.

"It is very important we get them up and operating," said Avant president Derick Dahlen. He said the relatively small turbines, bought with federal renewable energy bonds, demonstrate the 11 cities' support for green energy. "When they don't turn, that doesn't satisfy us," Dahlen said.

It also doesn't satisfy many in the cities that put up the turbines, often in highly visible locations.

"We have been getting a lot of phone calls asking why it's not turning," said Dan Geiger, Chaska's electrical director. He said the turbine hasn't moved since it went up in early November near busy Hwy. 212.

"We put a lot of time and energy into getting it installed," Geiger said. "We were hoping it would be spinning by now."

The turbine in North St. Paul, near Hwy. 36, ran briefly "before it got too cold. It hasn't run consistently yet," said City Manager Wally Wysopal. "Anything in the air that has visibility like this turbine, people are expecting it to turn," he said. "It's been a little embarrassing to have it not turning on the windiest of days."

Anoka officials voiced similar concerns.