Puget Sound Energy, Inc. (PSE) and RES Americas Inc. (RES Americas) have filed a conditional use permit (CUP) application on January 26, 2009 with Garfield county to develop and construct the Lower Snake River wind energy project. CUP follows the agreement between the two companies in December 2008 for building the wind farm project. The project will have 1,250 megawatt (MW) capacity out of which 800 MW will be generated in Garfield county and 450 MW in Columbia county.
Final energy capacity and turbine layouts will be determined through the state and county permitting processes and complete evaluation of the available wind resources and environmental impacts. The project is designed to be built in phases, with construction on support infrastructure targeted to begin in 2010.
“Wind power brings a proven boost to the local economy, and is a great fit with wheat and grain farming in the area,” PSE’s Senior Project Manager at Dayton office Anne Walsh, said. “PSE and RES Americas look forward to working with the community to create new wind facilities that will create jobs, increase tax revenues and drive diverse business opportunities to Pomeroy, Dayton and the region.”
“The Lower Snake River Wind Energy Project will expand the economic benefits and opportunities already created by wind power already seen in Columbia County,” RES Americas Vice President of Development for in Southeast Washington Scott Piscitello, said. “The Hopkins Ridge and Marengo I and II facilities have brought a new source of income to the region, and have lowered the tax burden on homeowners.”
In Columbia county, the existing wind facilities with 204 wind turbines and a capacity of 367 MW accounted for an increase in direct employment by providing about 170 full-time jobs during construction and 39 full-time, permanent operations jobs. Each year local government services benefit from about $1.3 million in additional annual tax revenues generated by the existing wind facilities. The existing Columbia county wind facilities were built so that more than 98% of the land remains available for farming. The Lower Snake River wind energy project will follow that example in being an excellent fit with the region’s agricultural tradition. After construction, temporarily disturbed areas are returned to their previous condition.
Garfield county officials will lead the CUP and state environmental impact statement processes. PSE and RES Americas expect to file a CUP application in Columbia county later in 2009.