Wind farm proposed for eastern Adams County

After a farming legacy built around wheat production, a new crop is slated for potential harvest in Adams County. NRG Renew is proposing a wind farm to be constructed in eastern Adams County, with development benefitting multiple taxing districts.

Approximately 25 landowners have agreed to lease land for the proposed Rattlesnake Flat Wind Farm Project, with the construction area slated from Providence Road to Cunningham Road, and Highway 21 to Highway 261.

The permit includes locations for 90 wind turbines, but Senior Project Manager Nick Benjamin explained there is potential for less than 90 to be constructed. The final number will be decided by the turbine model determined to be the best logistically for the area.

The Rattlesnake Flat project began nearly eight years ago with field studies to determine if environmental resources were available in the area. After multiple years of studies, it was determined that a wind farm would have minimal, if any, negative impact on wildlife, wetland, vegetation or cultural resources.

The proposed site area is ideal because of the southwest prevailing wind, which will maximize energy production. The site will have limited negative impacts on agricultural activities, as farmers will still be able to harvest the land around the turbines, Benjamin explained.

Benjamin said the majority of landowners understand the benefits and agreed to the project, as it leaves the majority of land available to still be farmed. There is also a financial impact as well, with an estimated $800,000 to be disbursed between the 25 landowners over the course of 30 years.

The project will have positive financial benefits to taxing districts, with the project contributing an estimated $1.4 million in property tax revenue in the first year. Property taxes are expected to decrease by an estimated eight percent for landowners in the Lind, Washtucna and Ritzville districts.

At an estimated $180 million project cost, the sales and use tax is expected to contribute $2.1 million to Adams County and $11.1 million to the State. Benjamin said the project is expected to invest $12 million locally during construction, and $350 million per year investment for operations.

The turbines will be connected by project roads, underground electricity and aboveground lines. There will also be a project substation, project laydown area, and an operation and management facility.

The trench connection will also house a fiber line, Benjamin said.

All of the turbines are connected to the same lines, which transmits diagnostic and troubleshoot information to the operation and maintenance team who monitors all of the NRG’s wind farms from Arizona. NRG currently has 15 wind farm projects in the Pacific Northwest.

Construction on the project is expected to be a 9-12 month process, Benjamin said.

For construction, access roads will permanently be 20-feet wide, with each turbine creating a temporary disturbance of 2.5 acres per turbine. Each turbine will use an estimated one acre, including access roads. The project is estimated to cover nearly 27,000 acres.

NRG is working with Avista and a power purchaser to complete the project, and the project will be complete when the lines are energized to the Avista substation.

Benjamin explained NRG does not currently have a buyer for the power, which is the most challenging element for wind farms in the Pacific Northwest. He reiterated the project must have a buyer for the power prior to construction.

Turbines range between 2-4 megawatts, and the amount of turbines installed for the project will be determined by how much power is sold.

The turbines have a minimum and maximum range they operate at, and Benjamin said the turbines will shut off and not continue to generate power outside of that range.

He added the turbines never operate at 100 percent capacity, and typically operate in the high 30th percentile of efficiency.

The blades have the ability to pitch and feather the wind automatically. When the blades do not pitch, they do not catch wind at all, he explained.

Benjamin said the project should also benefit employment opportunities, including 250 construction jobs, and 10-12 family wage positions over the 30-year lifespan of the project. NRG will be the owner and operator of the project.

At the end of 30 years, the project will be evaluated to determine if the project will continue. Benjamin explained wind technology continues to progress, and there is a potential the project would be replaced with more efficient turbines.

Currently, the project is in the public comment portion, which closes on July 9. NRG has submitted a conditional use permit application to the county, and SEPA review.

There will be a board of adjustment hearing on Aug. 1 with the county. The determination of the permit will be decided during the meeting.

If approved, the project will move forward with building permits and construction. The project is expected to be in commercial production in 2020, Benjamin stated.

A copy of the permit is available at the Adams County Commissioner’s office. Documentation of the project is also available at http://co.adams.wa.us.