Nevada leader in wind-power push

Erica D. Johnson

Monday, Oct. 28, 2002 | 9:23 a.m.

Nevada is leading the West in plans to develop wind energy projects on federal lands, a spokesman for the Bureau of Land Management said.

Nevada developers have submitted 22 of the bureau's 30 pending applications in the region, which also includes Idaho, New Mexico, California, Wyoming and Washington.

The bureau issued guidelines this month for submitting applications, which include stipulations on road construction, vegetation removal and site maintenance.

The guidelines came in light of a recent bill that extends wind energy tax credits to businesses. Bureau officials said they anticipate an increase in projects.

The bill is part of President Bush's National Energy Policy, designed to reduce the country's dependence on foreign energy sources by developing more domestic energy sites.

"We were concerned there would be inconsistent procedures in some states because some have never processed a wind energy application before," BLM spokesman Ray Brady said.

Brady said private companies are scrambling to qualify for the tax break before the December 20003 deadline.

One facility, Table Mountain Wind Generating Facility, has already been approved and is being developed south of Las Vegas and west of Jean near Sandy Valley, Brady said.

If the remaining applications are approved, the bureau will test the sites to determine wind speed and direction.

Wind turbines, which stand 250 to 350 feet tall and resemble giant windmills, would then be installed on the sites.

The motion of the turbines would generate electricity for Nevada and Southern California.

The sites cover about 5,000 acres and would generate about 500 megawatts of electrical power each year.

Brady said the development of new sites could have a positive effect on Nevadans.

"Nevadans could benefit by having an additional backup energy supply," he said. "Southern California is a big power drain. Additional energy production would allow Nevada to pick up the shortfall to meet its local needs."

The facility currently under construction is owned by Global Renewable Energy Partners and and Siemens Energy Co.

Two other Nevada companies are operating on a three-year temporary use permit while the bureau tests wind conditions.

Silver Wind Power is eight miles northeast of Battle Mountain. Wells Rural Electric is in the Pequop Mountains, 25 miles east of Wells.