CEDAR CITY - Mountain West Energy Resources from the Salt Lake Valley is requesting a zone change from agricultural to industrial on Antelope Road in the Escalante Desert for 158 acres in its first phase of a 32- turbine wind farm.

MWER owner, Mike Tyler, said the upstart company is vying to be the first wind producer in Utah to keep the power in the Rocky Mountain Power grid system. This system buys and sells power to neighboring states, such as Montana and Wyoming.

"My company strongly believes that we need to keep our resources here in Utah instead of sending it to southern California," Tyler said. "We know that if the project is built correctly, this will be a viable resource and business boost for Utah. The reason obviously is that southern California pays more than PacifiCorp does for its power, but with strict adherence to budget we can keep Utah's resources here in Utah."

Iron County building inspector/zone officer, Adam Richins, said this meeting is the start of a two-part process where MWER seeks to rezone the property, and, if approved, apply for a conditional use permit and have a public hearing in June.

"We are making sure the company is adhering to all the county ordinances that have to be followed and to mitigate any negative or potentially harmful effects to property owners who may be involved," Richins said.

The project in Beryl Junction is anticipated to generate approximately 70 megawatts of electricity. At build-out, 3,000 acres will be home to an estimated 300 turbines in a timeframe of about five years.

"The county is not opposed to the project as long as it is carried off in a manner that is done right," Richins said. "The county has no objections at this time."