WindWorks! Northwest advocates for government approval of well-conceived wind power projects in the Pacific Northwest. WindWorks! counters NIMBY opposition by telling the truth about the effects of wind farms and the economic and environmental benefits they provide. If you want to join our 300+ supporters and help advance
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Current Action - Kittitas

"This film is inspiring. Reversing climate change demands
that we walk the talk even when - especially when - it's hard."
Dr. Mitchell Thomashow, President, Unity College

"Chasing a Legacy is a story of coming to terms with adaptation and progress,
a story as old and vital as the West itself"
Dr. William B Parent, Associate Dean, UCLA School of Public Affairs

"Beautifully done!"
Wendy Williams, Author, Cape Wind

Kittitas County, WA
Wind in the Sails of Local Turbine Construction
Editorial Board

While they're in the extended planning stages it takes more than a scorecard to keep track of wind farm projects in Kittitas County. It takes a commitment and possibly an attorney on retainer.

But once a project starts going up it's hard to miss. The Vantage Wind Power Project is starting construction this spring, and in terms of the local labor market, it could not have come at a better time.

Read the story in Ellensburg's Daily News

Kittitas County, WA
Wind Turbines Going Up East of Ellensburg
Mike Johnston

The Kittitas Valley's latest wind farm is sprouting into the sky east of Ellensburg.

The first section of turbine tower went up the week of April 5 at the Vantage Wind Power Project site, and the first tower was topped with a completed turbine assembly on April 16.

Read the story in Ellensburg's Daily News

Kittitas County, WA
Wind Farms on the Cusp of Big Construction Projects
Mike Johnston

This year could end up being known as the year of the wind turbine in the Kittitas Valley if corporate plans become a reality.

Kittitas County this spring and summer could see one its largest booms in commercial construction ever with the start of three wind farm projects that total 212 turbines and towers reflecting an estimated $850 million in investment and construction.

"This all comes at a very good time during a down economy when the local business community could really use a big boost," said Ron Cridlebaugh, executive director of the Economic Development Group of Kittitas County. "These wind power projects are shaping up to give us that boost."

Read the story in Ellensburg's Daily News

Kittitas County, WA
Governor Gregoire Approves Desert Claim!

Kittitas County's Desert Claim Wind Power Project will finally see the light of day! After 6 years of deliberation at the local and state level, The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council made a unanimous recommendation to the Governor in November.

Governor Gregoire approved the project yesterday afternoon, citing, among other things, its potential for job growth: "this project will provide jobs for the county and the state, jobs that are sorely needed during our economic recovery."

Desert Claim is projected to generate over $17 million of economic activity during construction, and $2.8 million annually after that, according to a study done by Central Washington University professors.

Read Governor Gregoire's letter of approval
Read the press release

Kittitas County, WA
Wind Plan Gets a 'No' from Kittitas County Commissioners, for Now
December 17, 2009

Although Kittitas County commissioners on Tuesday turned down a proposal to establish land-use rules for large-scale community wind energy projects, they still like the idea and want to see more work on guidelines to make it possible in rural areas of the county.

Read the full story in Ellensburg's Daily News

Kittitas County, WA
EFSEC Recommends Desert Claim to Governor Gregoire
November 16, 2009

The Desert Claim Wind Power Project is finally headed to the Governor's desk! After 6 years of deliberation at the local and state levels, on November 16, the state siting council (EFSEC) voted unanimously to recommend Desert Claim to the Governor.

Read the story in Ellensburg's Daily News
Learn more about Desert Claim's road to approval
Read EFSEC's recommendation

Kittitas County, WA
Desert Claim's Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) has issued a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) for Desert Claim. This EIS will supplement the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) that Kittitas County issued in August of 2004.

View the FSEIS

Kittitas County, WA
WindWorks! Testifies in Favor of Desert Claim
July 21, 2009

"You [have] heard a lot [at this hearing] about a number of issues, including climate change, the need for jobs, and energy - whether it's growing resources for energy or growing Washington State or energy independence - but I want to add two more concepts to help you along with your decision.

One of them is that when you make a decision, make sure that you're following objective standards, and the second is that when in doubt, honor the property rights of those who are involved with this project and make sure that mutually beneficial transactions are being honored."

Read the full testimony

Kittitas County, WA
Desert Claim's Final Hearing in Seattle
July 21, 2009

Business leaders, academics and environmentalists joined together in supporting the Desert Claim Wind Power Project, to be located outside of Ellensburg, Washington.

In the final public hearing for the project, EFSEC heard statements of support from the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Highline Community College, President and CEO of the Northwest Minority Supplier Development Council, Business & Economic Development Director at the Foster School of Business, Deputy Director of the Renewable Northwest Project, Policy Director of the Northwest Energy Coalition, and the Senior Advisor for Business Partnerships at Climate Solutions.

Read the testimonies
See EFSEC's page on Desert Claim

Kittitas County, WA
State Reps Support Desert Claim
July 8, 2009

State Representatives Dave Quall (40th district) and Skip Priest (30th district) have written in support of the Desert Claim Wind Power Project:

"As Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the House Education Committee, we are excited about the significant funding the project will bring to education. Two separate economic studies have shown that Desert Claim will benefit two local districts near the project site and state schools.

As we face major funding cuts to our state's education system, these dollars from the Desert Claim Wind Power Project will be extremely helpful."

Read their letter

Kittitas County, WA
The Economic Impacts of Desert Claim

The proposed Desert Claim Wind Power Project would bring jobs and privately funded economic stimulus to Kittitas County. CWU Economics professor Richard Mack found that more than $17 million of economic activity would be generated by the project in the first year, and $2.8 million annually after that.

Read the study

Kittitas County, WA
Combined Benefits of Kittitas County Wind Power Projects

The four wind power projects in Kittitas County are estimated to generate enough power for 162,277 homes. With 356 turbines, they have an assessed value of over $500 million, producing $1,133,637 for state schools, $132,288 for the hospital and $567,280 for county roads.

See the chart

Kittitas County, WA
Kittitas County and its NIMBY allies lose bid to usurp Washington State's authority to permit power plants

The Washington State Supreme Court's decision to uphold the authority of the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) to supersede local government jurisdiction is a landmark action that helps ensure renewable energy's future in Washington State.

The Court dismissed Kittitas County government's claims and that of its "Not In My Back Yard" (NIMBY) allies that the county, not the state, holds preeminent authority in reviewing and permitting proposed power plants. The Court's action will allow Horizon Wind Energy to begin constructing the wind farm it first proposed over six years ago -- a project reviewed by EFSEC and approved by Governor Gregoire in September 2007...

Read the full story

WindWorks! Northwest helps permit wind farms at the local level by sharing reliable information with communities and their leadership. Especially when the message is factual, forceful, and on point.

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