May 21, 2013
Montana

County Commission hears Fairfield wind farm proposal

By Darryl L. Flowers | Fairfield Sun Times | May 21, 2013 | www.fairfieldsuntimes.com

Last week representatives of a California based firm, Foundation Windpower, met with Teton County commissioners regarding a proposed wind farm north of Fairfield.

According to Martin Wilde, a former Choteau resident who operates Windata, Inc., a firm that assists with site selection, the project has been in the works for several years, in part because investors have “signed up and then disappeared, which was very disappointing.”

Matt Wilson and John Pimental, representing Foundation Windpower, said they are committed to the project which will consist of 5 turbines reaching nearly 400 feet in height. The turbines will be installed to the north and south of the Bole substation, north of Fairfield in Township 23N, Range 3 West and Sections 35 and 26. Marvin Klinker and Reece Brown were on hand as landowners.

If all goes according to plan, the turbines could be up as early as the end of the year.

Foundation was seeking a letter to provide to their bankers. The commissioners asked the developers to use a letter from the county commission issued in 2010.

According to Wilson and Pimental, a federal law known as The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) dating to 1978 would require Northwestern Energy to purchase the electricity. Even though it is a Federal law, the act’s implementation is left up to the individual states.

The commissioners have put the project on the agenda for the next scheduled meeting.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/05/21/county-commission-hears-fairfield-wind-farm-proposal/