February 23, 2011
Idaho

Wind farm denied in Bingham County

By Troy Campbell, KIFI Idaho Falls, www.localnews8.com 22 February 2011

BLACKFOOT, Idaho – On Tuesday afternoon, Bingham County commissioners shot down the second phase of a wind farm in Bingham county.

Blue Ribbon Energy is hoping to put in the wind farm on 2,500 acres southeast of Goshen.

County commissioners ruled in favor of the first phase of 27 turbines in December.

“Today the commission, the board of commissioners upheld the decision of the planning and zoning to up hold their denial,” said commissioner Ladd Carter.

However, this time around, Blue Ribbon said they have done everything they have been asked to do following a strict ordinance draft.

“I don’t know what more we can do,” said Blue Ribbon Energy co-owner MJ Humpries.

The ground rules stem from a 1984 ordinance that is very vague when it comes to wind energy, so the county drafted up a new ordinance. Blue Ribbon followed that new ordinance titled Draft 14, however Draft 14 is not law.

“My biggest concern was probably property values that would be affected. There is some evidence that there might be some health and safety risks to wind energy,” said Carter.

“It benefits the county in revenue for your schools and revenue for the county,” said Humpries.

Blue Ribbon Energy said that they have not made up their minds whether to appeal Tuesday’s ruling.

Bingham County commissioners said that they hope to put a new wind turbine ordinance into law, as soon as the planning and zoning commission submits the proposed draft.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/02/23/wind-farm-denied-in-bingham-county/