06/27/05 BLM releases Cotterell wind draft EIS

Several new developments in wind energy are worth talking about. The draft environmental impact statement for the proposed Cotterell Wind Energy project has been issued by the BLM. Windland Incorporated spokesman Mike Heckler says his company can get behind the BLM preferred alternative. HECKLER "It would involve building something on the order of 80 to 100 turbines up on Cotterell Mountain." Heckler says after the 90 day comment period and the next round of public hearings they hope to begin turbine construction in May of next year. HECKLER "although the BLM would authorize us to put fewer turbines up there we could use newer, more efficient models and still come out with about 200 megawatts." BLM says it has laid the environmental groundwork to speed up the permitting of wind energy in Idaho and ten other western states. BLM claims that should open the door to the development of enough wind energy to power one million homes. And speaking of power, Idaho Power wants a moratorium on buying power from wind projects producing less than ten megawatts. The company says the Public Utilities Commission needs to determine the fair price for wind power and its impact on Idaho Power customers. That moratorium wouldn't affect existing power contracts. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott