KANSAS COUNTY OPTS FOR BIG WIND

Commission okays county's first wind farm
Laura Eastes, April 7, 2010 (The Southwest Times)

"…[T]he Seward County Commission …unanimously approved a conditional use permit allowing the Cimarron Wind Project LLC access to develop the county's first wind energy farm…

"The commission and the Meade County Commission have been working with two companies -- Tulsa-based Energy for Generations and California-based Sustainable Legacy -- for more than two years to build a wind energy farm to have a capacity of producing up to 1,000 megawatts. The majority of the farm will be built in Seward County with some towers crossing over into Meade County."

Kansas has wind. (click to enlarge)

"The two companies have joined together and named the Project. The 400 turbines will be installed on 59,000 acres. The turbines will be at a minimum of 900 feet apart and located at least 450 feet from public roads. Each individual turbine will produce 2.5 MW of power…[T]he wind power captured has the potential to generate enough power for 400,000 homes…

"The wind farm will be completed in several phases…Construction is set to begin in 2012. The two-year window will allow for proposed transmission lines to be completed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment…"

The Cimarron Wind Project will almost double Kansas' installed capacity. (click to enlarge)

"…[T]he Cimarron Wind Project has no company in contract to buy the wind energy, once the project is complete…[but expects] no trouble in selling the energy…[U]p to 50 full-time construction workers will be needed…[Plans call for the developer] to hire local workers…[Commissioners expect the project] will bring additional economic development to the county. Wind farms could bring in long-term wind industries and create jobs for county residents…

"Cimarron Wind Project…and property owners must enter into a Wind Energy Lease and Easement Agreement…before turbines can be placed… 26,000-to-27,000 of the 59,000 acres have reached a signed lease agreement. Property owners do receive monetary support for allowing use of their land…The commission's approval is just one of the many steps the Cimarron Wind Project must do before wind turbines begin turning…"