April 10, 2008
Idaho

Decision on proposed wind farm in Bingham County still being decided

No decision yet on a proposed wind farm in Bingham County. As of 9 p.m. Wednesday night, the meeting is still going on and it started at 7 p.m.

Back at the end of March, the Bingham County Zoning and Planning Commission held a hearing until close to 1 a.m. morning but no decision was made. So again Wednesday night, Ridgeline Energy was back to share their plans for 150 wind turbines in the Wolverine Canyon area, northeast of Blackfoot.

Wednesday’s meeting was just about packed. Those for the idea say it’s a need in Bingham County while those against it say its wind turbines are needed just somewhere else.

“I’m opposed to the location of the wind farm. And I don’t like to really call it a farm because it really isn’t a farm. It’s encompassing an area that is known as natural resources and agricultural and this is an industry. And it shouldn’t be located in an NRA zone.” says Louis Morales, who owns property in Firth, and she is in opposition to the project location.

“We need an alternative energy source. I think it’s a clean way to go. I don’t see that the windmills are going to be any problem at all.” says Sandy Empey, who in favor of a wind farm and lives in Thomas.

If the Planning and Zoning Commission doesn’t make a decision Wednesday night, it will be brought up again at the next scheduled meeting. If approved, the project is expected to be finished by 2010.

By Genevieve Judge