Independent wind power company First Wind has received approval from the U.S. Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for the 300 MW Milford Wind Corridor project.

The Bureau of Land Management conducted a National Environmental Policy Act environmental assessment for the facility and has decided to issue a permit for the project. The Milford Wind Corridor is the first wind energy facility permitted under the BLM's Wind Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Western U.S. states.

"Renewable energy resources are playing an increasingly larger role in meeting our nation's growing energy demands and BLM is committed to identifying and developing renewable energy zones in Utah," said Todd Christensen, BLM Utah Color Country District Manager.

The Milford Wind Corridor project, to be located near the town of Milford, Utah, will include up to 97 wind turbine generators, 12 meteorological towers, a substation and underground collection system and 90-mile (145-km) transmission line connecting the wind farm to the Intermountain Power Agency in Delta, Utah.

First Wind President and CEO Paul Gaynor commented, "We appreciate the thoughtful review process by the BLM, and we are grateful for the support we have received from federal and state officials and members of the community. The project will provide numerous economic benefits to the region including revenue and employment opportunities as we move forward with construction in the coming months."