Wind Power News: Washington
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Colorado firm plans 600-megawatt Horse Heaven Wind Farm
A 600-megawatt wind farm south of Kennewick will employ 300 during construction and help cement the region’s status as Washington’s center for wind energy. Scout Clean Energy of Boulder, Colorado, will apply for a conditional use permit from Benton County for its Horse Heaven Wind Farm project later this year. Pat Landess, spokesman for Scout, said the project is on schedule although it has had to change its public outreach strategy because of the coronavirus pandemic and Washington’s continuing stay-home . . . Complete story »
Wind farm energy powers California
When Michael Rucker talks about “Wind energy myths generate confusion” (Tri-City Herald, 4/2/20), he adds to the confusion: He says it will bring “wind energy to the region and the state of Washington,” but he really means it’s electricity for California and its renewable energy mandate; we have plenty of energy for Washington with hydro and nuclear. He talks about generating $2.4 million per year in taxes and 16 jobs; that pales in comparison to Tri-City visitors spending $560.2 million . . . Complete story »
Deadline extended for Skookumchuck wind project
The 38-turbine wind project located on Skookumchuck Ridge, on the border of Lewis and Thurston counties, is expected to launch later this year after a number of setbacks. Last September, the Skookumchuck Wind Farm project was projected to start producing power by December, Joel Leineke, executive vice president of construction for RES-Americas, previously said. Officials with Southern Power, the company that owns a majority of the project, say it is about 65 percent complete and that two of the 38 . . . Complete story »
Work on Skookumchuck wind project continues though completion date has been delayed
The 38-turbine wind project located on the Skookumchuck Ridge, on the border of Lewis and Thurston counties, is expected to launch later this year after a number of setbacks. Last September, the Skookumchuck Wind Farm project was scheduled to start producing power by December, Joel Leineke, executive vice president of construction for RES-Americas, previously said. Officials with Southern Power, the company that owns a majority of the project, say the project is about 65 percent complete and that two of . . . Complete story »
Windmills bring little real benefit
The proposed Horse Heaven windmill farm will best case generate 600 MW only at peak wind periods, or about what a Snake River dam or half what the Energy Northwest nuclear does on a 24/7 basis on demand. And only when the wind blows, which is less than 25% of the time year around; mostly in the spring with full hydro runoff and low consumption when more power is least needed. Wind makes minimal contribution during peak demand. BPA is forced . . . Complete story »
Tri-Citians must stand up to wind turbine plan
Scout Clean Energy from Boulder, Colorado has proposed building 500-foot turbines along 24 miles of our Southern skyline in the Horse Heaven Hills. A 500-foot turbine is massive when you consider the top of the turbine blades at Nine Canyon Wind Farm in Kennewick are only 350 feet. The Space Needle and the Gateway Arch are roughly as tall as these proposed turbines. I am opposed to this project. I will not support another wind project in Eastern Washington until . . . Complete story »
500-foot turbines would stretch over 24 miles near Tri-Cities under this plan
A wind farm along 24 miles of the ridgeline of the Horse Heaven Hills is proposed south of the Tri-Cities. The new project is planned to include as many as 212 turbines in rows from near Jump Off Joe Butte to the southwest, with much of it south of Badger Road. It would wrap around the already operating Nine Canyon Wind Project. Scout Clean Energy, based in Boulder, Colo., could start construction on the Horse Heaven Wind Farm as early . . . Complete story »
Documents detail harrowing attempts to save Chehalis man at wind project site
When a trench partially collapsed on a coworker at the Skookumchuck Wind Project outside of Rainier on the morning of Thursday, Jan. 9, 24-year-old Chehalis man Jonathan Stringer didn’t hesitate. He jumped in the hole with another worker and began attempting to save his buried colleague by digging out dirt and rocks with his bare hands. That’s when another collapse completely buried Stringer, prompting a harrowing ordeal during which about 25 other workers tried in frantic shifts to save him, . . . Complete story »
Man who died in Skookumchuck Wind Farm trench collapse has been identified
Jonathan F. Stringer, 24, of Chehalis, was identified Monday as the man who died last week in a trench collapse, according to the Lewis County Coroner. The trench work was tied to the construction of the Skookumchuck Wind Farm, a 38-turbine project that is largely in Lewis County. The cause of death was mechanical asphyxiation; the manner of death was accidental, according to the coroner. A second worker was trapped in the collapse, which happened about 11 a.m. Thursday, but . . . Complete story »
1 killed in trench collapse at wind farm in Thurston County
One person was killed when a trench collapsed Thursday at a wind farm in Thurston County. According to the sheriff’s office, two employees were working at the Skookumchuck Wind Energy Project when a trench collapsed on top of them. Crews rescued one person who was partially buried. The other person was completely covered and died. Authorities said the trench was being built near a logging road. The project is slated to add wind turbines to the wind farm. No further . . . Complete story »
