A revised application with the layout is expected to be delivered to the state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) today, he said. Desert Claim is located on 5,200 acres about 8 miles northwest of Ellensburg.

"Our revised layout should support a project that will bring substantial benefits to Kittitas County and Washington state," said Steeb. "While these are estimates, they provide a good sense of the magnitude of the project's benefits."

The revised layout's benefits are projected to be substantial.

More power. Under the revision, the wind farm would have 95 turbines with 190 megawatts of capacity. That's enough to generate power for 57,000 homes. The previous layout had 90 turbines and 180 megawatts.

Residences farther from turbines. The revision features a 75 percent reduction in the number of residences located within 2,500 feet of a wind turbine. That's important, Steeb said, because Kittitas County Community Development Services had stated a desire for a 2,500-foot setback in discussions with enXco in 2007.

The new layout has only seven nonparticipating residences within 2,500 feet of a turbine, compared with 29 previously. The closest nonparticipating residence is now 1,687 feet from a turbine. That is beyond the distance required by EFSEC for another wind project last year.

New jobs, income, tax revenues. Desert Claim would contribute significant economic benefits to Kittitas County and Washington state, according to a draft study by Central Washington University professors.

The study estimates that the project could generate up to $3.6 million in workers' payroll during construction and as much as $970,000 annually once it is in operation.

The project could create up to 160 new jobs during construction in the first year, and up to 26 new jobs after it's in operation, according to the study's estimates. Roughly half of those totals would be directly employed on the project. The other half would be additional full and part-time jobs that are indirectly supported.

The study estimated property tax revenues at more than $900,000 annually for local schools, fire and other public services. The total for Ellensburg School District could be nearly $340,000. Kittitas County Fire District No. 2 could receive more than $210,000. Kittitas County's total could be more than $315,000 for police, roads and other public services.

enXco currently projects its total investment to complete Desert Claim at more than $330 million. The study's tax projections are based on an estimated property valuation of $155 million for Desert Claim after it's completed.

The state's schools could receive up to $775,000 annually, according to the study's estimates. The total would come from the state Department of Natural Resources lease payments and state schools property taxes.

Location saves in transmission costs

Desert Claim's location continues to be one of the state's most advantageous for a wind farm. It is located in a transmission corridor, with several major transmission lines crossing the site. Shorter distances to transmission lines reduce power-line costs passed on to ratepayers.

Last year enXco completed the Goodnoe Hills wind farm, a 94-megawatt project in Klickitat County.

Related Links
CSIRO Exploration and Mining
enXco
Wind Energy News at Wind Daily

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