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TILTING UP WINDMILLS
 UP SHE GOES: Workers put together the pieces for the first of the 61 turbines that will make up the Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm. About 200 workers are involved in the project. At its peak, construction of the wind farm will involve about 250 workers. (The Observer/MARDI FORD). - Bill Rautenstrauch The Observer At the Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm near Telocaset, progress is marching relentlessly on. The site off the Union-Baker Highway in southern Union County is abuzz with activity, with turbine components arriving daily and construction crews working to get the first towers in place. About 200 workers, including truck drivers, heavy equipment operators, laborers, technicians, quality control staff and office workers are already on the job and more are expected as the project picks up steam in July. "When we hit our peak, we'll have about 250 people working out there," said Horizon Wind Energy spokeswoman Hilary Foote. The project, being built by Horizon subsidiary Telocaset Wind Power Partners, spreads out over non-irrigated land that is used mostly for cattle raising. When completed, 61 Vestas turbines, built in Denmark, will provide 101 megawatts of electricity for Idaho Power Company customers. The project went forward last spring after Horizon finalized its agreement to furnish wind-generated electricity to Idaho Power via a 230-kilovolt line that runs from La Grande to Brownlee, Idaho. Foote said three turbine bases near Thief Valley Reservoir have been built. By the end of next week, the tower mid-sections will be constructed and blades will be added. Foote said turbines are arriving at the site at the rate of one a day. They are being transported by truck from the Port of Vancouver. "It takes eight trucks to transport all the components for one tower," she said. "The trucks are getting off the highway at North Powder." Estimated cost of the entire project is $160 million, and according to Foote, much of the money is being spent for local goods and services. "We spent $1.1 million locally in May," she said. "That included equipment rental, contractors, office supplies and permits. To me, it was real interesting that we spent $26,000 on office supplies that month." Horizon estimates the project will yield a total of $10 million in taxes for the county. Estimates provided to The Observer on annual tax revenues from the wind farm have varied from $250,000 to $700,000. Horizon also says it will spend between $300,000 to $400,000 on lease agreements with area landowners. In addition, the wind farm will provide 10 to 15 full-time, year-round jobs. The project began last spring with construction of a staging area. Work has continued unabated since then. Horizon is building 17 miles of roads through a 6,000-acre "box" in the project area. The project itself, including turbines, an operation and maintenance shop and a substation, will have a footprint of only 150 acres. Work is expected to continue through November. |
