Is wind power coming to Cochise County?
A recent article in the Sierra Vista Herald brought the public’s attention to ongoing efforts to explore this alternative energy source within the County. That article can be found [here]
As noted in the referenced article, a wind generation company is proposing to submit an application for a Special Use Permit to install 6 anemometers in the Mule Mountain area to conduct a two-year study to determine if that area would be suitable for a commercial wind-power electric generation facility—as of the date of this article the application however has not been submitted. In the event that this application is actually submitted, the Commission would like to hear from experts in the field to understand the location criteria and relevant land use issues involved in both residential-scale and commercial-scale wind power facilities. Experts from power companies, permitting agencies and experts in recent State and Federal laws regarding alternate energy mandates for power companies have been invited to present information to and answer questions from the Commission at a study session held at the Commission’s regular meeting of May 14, 2008 from 4 to 5 PM.
The Commission will not discuss any site-specific location or proposed project, nor will they take any action at the study session, as no decisions are made at study sessions. The Commission is not expected to take any public testimony, rather, the study session will be an opportunity for the experts to share their knowledge of industry needs and related land use issues and for the Commission to query the experts and discuss their concerns amongst themselves without taking any position or action on a particular permit application. If an application for a wind-power electric generation facility is submitted, the applicant will be required to conduct a citizen input process in advance of the application and the County will place a notice in the local newspaper, post a legal notice on the property and notify nearby property owners of a public hearing to take testimony on the specific request.
Keith Dennis, Planner
Cochise County Planning & Zoning
2 May 2008
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
Some possibly related stories:
- County commission OKs permits for met towers
- County explains wind/solar farms process to Cedar Hills residents
- Experts discuss factors involved in bringing wind energy to Cochise County
- Board OK's controversial wind/solar and Greer permits
- Met tower requests on agenda
- New wind blows: Idea to put turbines on ranch raising discussion about renewable energy
The copyright of this article is owned by the author or publisher indicated. Its availability here constitutes a "fair use" as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law as well as in similar "fair dealing" exceptions of the copyright laws of other nations, as part of National Wind Watch's effort to advance understanding of the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development. For more information, click here.
