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Ridgeline Planning to Build More Wind Turbines in Eastern Idaho by Johnny Archer KPVI, July 29, 2010

Wednesday night Ridgeline Energy is looking for the Bonneville County Planning Commission to approve a new project that will call for 75 new wind turbines to be built in Bonneville County.

Representatives of Ridgeline Energy stood in front of a panel of Bonneville County Planning Commission members Wednesday night at the Bonneville County Courthouse answering panel questions and reciting how this new project complies with all the counties building ordinances in a G1 zone.

The project is a $300 million investment Ridgeline Energy is looking to move forward with if Bonneville County approves their application that was submitted June 30.

The project consists of 75 wind turbine to be built in the Meadow Creek Area of Bonneville County east of Idaho Falls.

Ridgeline does not have a specific turbine model chosen yet. But company officials say they will not exceed 500 feet in height and the noise from the generator will not be any louder than 45 decibels. Yet, the company does admit the noise from the blade in the wind could reach 80 decibels, comparably to the sound of a freight train 50 feet away.

At Wednesday night's hearing, residents and farmers shared their case why turbines should or should not be built in Meadow Creek. People who own land that will house the wind turbines will receive royalties from Ridgeline and the county will receive 3% of the gross income Ridgeline produces from the turbines. If Ridgeline does get the permit, construction will begin in 2011.

(Bonneville County Planning Commission was still in deliberation when this story was posted)