Palouse Wind Project Receives Critical CUP Approval

First Wind, an independent U.S.-based wind energy company, today announced that it has received the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for its Palouse Wind Project. The CUP, a necessary approval to build and operate the project in Whitman County, was reviewed and approved by an independent, specialized Hearing Examiner, who is employed by Whitman County.

“This is a critical milestone for the Palouse Wind Project. It takes us one step closer to building a project that we hope will help stimulate the economy in the region and bring construction and long term operations jobs to the area,” said Ben Fairbanks, Director of Northwest Business Development for First Wind. “This is a major project for First Wind and for Whitman County, and we are excited to continue our relationship with the surrounding community and the many landowners and farmers who have helped us make this project a reality.”

Oakesdale Mayor Dennis Palmer agreed. “Since the early 1970s we’ve seen businesses leave the town of Oakesdale, and they never come back,” Mayor Palmer stated when testifying in favor of the project at the CUP hearing. “When First Wind came to Oakesdale…and presented what they were going to do, it was kind of like dollars from heaven dropping in.”

The Palouse Wind project, which is as yet undetermined in size, has been permitted for up to 65 wind turbines and 195 megawatts (MW), which is enough energy to power approximately 25,000 homes annually.

Palouse Wind will represent a major investment in Whitman County by creating more than 100 construction jobs and 5-10 direct full-time jobs once the wind facility is operational. First Wind is committed to locally sourcing as much of the labor and supplies as possible.

Before issuing the CUP, Whitman County conducted an 8-month long analysis of the potential impacts of the project under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). The Final Environmental Impact Statement, which was issued in March 2011, found that application of the mitigation measures developed as a result of the SEPA review will limit, and in most circumstances eliminate, adverse impacts associated with the project. Road construction and infrastructure work could possibly begin as early as this year, with the bulk of the project construction to begin in 2012.