ENERGY:

Vegas company’s planned wind farm clears a hurdle

Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Las Vegas company plans Northern Nevada wind farm (2-20-2009)
Wind power's potential in peril? (2-15-2009)
Wind-energy industry hopes to regain its momentum (2-13-2009)
Reno wind-turbine maker expands to Costa Rica (2-6-2009)

The Washoe County Planning Commission has approved plans for what could become Nevada’s first commercial-scale wind-powered electrical generating facility, over opposition of critics who say the towering wind turbines will destroy views and upset their lifestyle.

The 44-turbine wind farm — the Virginia Peak Wind Project — is planned for a site about 20 miles northeast of Sparks. It is designed to generate enough power for about 36,000 homes — in California, to which the power would be exported.

The $200 million project, proposed by Las Vegas-based Nevada Wind Co., must also be approved by the Sparks City Council, the Washoe County Commission and a regional planning commission.

The power will be sold to a subsidiary of energy giant Edison International.

Nevada Wind Co. hopes to have the project completed and on line by fall 2010.

The project will create about 250 short-term jobs and at least 17 permanent jobs, and could generate up to $1 million a year in local taxes.

The company and unions have collected hundreds of signatures in support of the wind farm.

But some residents say the dozens of wind turbines, each about 300 feet tall, will ruin their mountain views and forever alter their way of life. They also have complained of potential disruptions as a result of construction activity.

The project got final approval from the planning commission after four public meetings with the Community Advisory Board and two community workshops.

The project is one of several Nevada Wind Co. has planned for the state. The company is working to obtain permits for four wind farms that would sell energy to Edison along with five other plants. Most of the projects are planned for the Ely area.

In Southern Nevada, Duke Energy has proposed a 161-turbine wind farm at Searchlight that would generate enough electricity to serve more than 100,000 homes. If it gets the necessary approvals, it would open in 2011 at the soonest.

NV Energy’s China Mountain Wind Farm, with 80 to 100 turbines to produce enough electricity for about 65,000 homes, is being developed with RES America along the Idaho border near Jackpot. It may start operating in 2011.

A version of this story appeared in this week’s In Business Las Vegas, a sister publication of the Sun.

Discussion: 7 comments so far…

By RunningonEmpty

2/22/09 at 8:31 a.m.

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There could be no better investment in America than to invest in America becoming energy independent! We need to utilize everything in out power to reduce our dependence on foreign oil including using our own natural resources.Create cheap clean energy, new badly needed green jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.The high cost of fuel this past year seriously damaged our economy and society. The cost of fuel effects every facet of consumer goods from production to shipping costs. After a brief reprieve gas is inching back up.OPEC will continue to cut production until they achieve their desired 80-100. per barrel.If all gasoline cars, trucks, and SUV's instead had plug-in electric drive trainsthe amount of electricity needed to replace gasoline is about equal to the estimated wind energy potential of the state of North Dakota.There is a really good new book out by Jeff Wilson called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence Now. http://www.themanhattanprojectof2009.com...
By Babyboomer

2/22/09 at 8:50 a.m.

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I would rather look at a wind turbine than those massive power towers currently covering many communties in Las Vegas. They can be placed in a group away from existing communties and it will cap current bills consumers are paying.I have read another town even sold the energy to other states.Hey that's money in the bank for the local community.
By getalife

2/22/09 at 10:38 a.m.

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This just amazes me. California wants wind farms built in Nevada because it can't build them there.

Drive through Tehachapi and look at the the windmills they look cool. Too bad they can't be built there anymore.

NIMBY is king, long live the King.
By JD

2/22/09 at 11:36 a.m.

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I think the turbines are a good idea, but why does the power have to go to california? If they want power for Cal, build them in Cal...WTF. why does a majority of the power produced in Nevada go there? Make your own friggin power California.
By mschaffer

2/22/09 at 10:29 p.m.

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getalife fails the comprehension test again:
http://www.gov.ca.gov/executive-order/11...
By Sunlizard

2/23/09 at 7:28 a.m.

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"I would rather look at a wind turbine than those massive power towers currently covering many communties in Las Vegas. They can be placed in a group away from existing communties and it will cap current bills consumers are paying.I have read another town even sold the energy to other states.Hey that's money in the bank for the local community."

You are a fool. There wi be large transmission lines with wind turbines as well.
By getalife

2/23/09 at 4:44 p.m.

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mschaffer, congratulations on an article that doesn't mean jack$h!t.

California lawyers are lined up in rat packs to stop this.

Executive order, you are crazy person if you think Californians are going to allow this. If they drilled off the coast their money problems would disappear and if they used the mountain passes for wind their energy problems would disappear. Neither of these are going to happen.

Unlike you I am a realist. I am not an academic poser.