Over the objections of some Wilcox Ranch residents, Washoe County commissioners today approved a resolution to sponsor a regional planning amendment to create a new utility corridor for wind turbines in the mountains of Warm Springs Valley.

The 17-mile route would be for a 120-kilovolt line to bring power from up to 70 wind turbines that Nevada Wind wants to put on Virginia Peak to a major power transfer station to the south in Tracy. Sponsoring an amendment to the regional uility corridor report, which is part of the regional plan, is a first step.

The change must be approved by the Regional Planning Commission and the Governing Board. Regional planning staff is preparing a report on factors that should be used in creating new utility corridors for remote alternative energy projects.

Several residents were opposed to the county action.

Cathy Glathar, a Wilcox Ranch property owner, urged the commission to make the proposed wind farm connect to the Empire Farms/Tracy line further east that has been identified in Gov. Jim Gibbons' committee for alternative energy production.

Bob Stadtmiller, another resident, said Nevada Wind owners have not obtained the easements required for the new power line.