facts, analysis, exposure of wind energy's real impacts Windaction http://www.windaction.org/articles/c122+74?theme=atom Xarayar 2006-06-12T02:16:27Z .35898 2012-08-30T12:55:12Z 2012-08-30T12:55:12Z

Idaho Power, the state's largest utility, wants Idaho regulators' permission to limit electricity output from wind farms like Terna's at times of low demand, arguing it will protect customers from higher costs. With the matter unresolved, lenders are wary their money is at risk.

.30021 2010-11-19T12:47:07Z 2010-11-19T12:47:07Z

The planning and zoning commission created a "turbine zone" in the southern part of the county where wind farms will be allowed. "We decided on that so we could take some time to slow down and figure out how to allow these (turbines) without infringing on other people's rights."

.29892 2010-11-10T01:39:59Z 2010-11-10T01:39:59Z

�This (would be) the closest wind farm to residences in the county� said Commissioner Brutch Merrill. Many of the commissioners were concerned about Blue Ribbon Energy�s failure to provide detailed maps that showed the locations of the wind turbines and homes, access roads and supplemental buildings along with other pertinent information.

.29801 2010-11-06T14:33:19Z 2010-11-06T14:33:19Z

�Draft 14� states wind turbines must be built away from any other property at least three times the height of the turbine, a requirement that is not in the current and active ordinance. Blue Ribbon Energy officials say they voluntarily agreed to the draft ordinance.

.29338 2010-10-01T10:19:34Z 2010-10-01T10:19:34Z

Currently, Bingham County's Planning and Zoning Commission does not have any ordinance to help assist them with making decisions on wind turbines. Several drafts have been made to update ...This includes incorporating guidelines for commercial wind turbine development and operation. Several companies have submitted applications to build wind turbines in Bingham.

.26376 2010-03-24T00:27:02Z 2010-03-24T00:27:02Z

Planning and Zoning officials in Bingham County confirm another wind farm is being proposed for a remote area of the county. P&Z says they will discuss a special use permit for a 33 turbine farm applied for by Oregon-based Western Energy.

.23685 2009-10-16T19:46:40Z 2009-10-16T19:46:40Z

Bingham County Commission Chairman Cleone Jolley said a public hearing held at Shelley City Hall Thursday was aimed at disseminating information and collecting public input related to a proposed new ordinance regulating siting of wind turbines. Jolley said the proposed ordinance also regulates future construction of wind farms in the county. Currently, Bingham County has no ordinance pertaining to the new energy technology.

.22782 2009-08-21T12:18:50Z 2009-08-21T12:18:50Z

An Aug. 13 decision in Bingham County court has delayed development of a 150-turbine wind farm in Wolverine Canyon near the Bingham-Bonneville county line. Judge Richard St. Clair ruled that because of errors in its application, and some conflicts of interest, Ridgeline Energy would have to go back to the county planning and zoning board to re-apply for a special use permit if it wants to build the Goshen South wind farm.

.22751 2009-08-19T00:27:29Z 2009-08-19T00:27:29Z

Wednesday afternoon Bingham County Judge Richard St. Clair notified attorneys for Ridgeline Energy they will have to re-apply for a special use zoning permit for a proposed 150 turbine wind farm in Wolverine Canyon. According to a 38 page ruling there were several errors made during Ridgeline Energy's application process, making it necessary to extend an already lengthy process.

.22386 2009-07-28T07:11:46Z 2009-07-28T07:11:46Z

It's been in the works for more than a year and now, it's fate lies in the hands of the Judge Richard St. Clair. Will he decide in favor of moving forward with the controversial 150-turbine wind farm in Wolverine Canyon? Or, will Bingham County have to go back to the drawing board? ...Petitioners believe a wind farm can't go in Wolverine Canyon because it's zoned for natural resources or agriculture. They see wind turbines as industrial, not natural.

.21342 2009-05-23T10:30:17Z 2009-05-23T10:30:17Z

June 15 will mark the passage of the new Madison County wind turbine ordinance (Zoning Ordinance No. 357) -- provided that no objections are filed by county residents prior to that date. On May 15, Madison County Commissioners adopted the findings of fact by the Madison Planning and Zoning Commission. The adoption means that unless public protest is given, the ordinance will be passed.

.20631 2009-04-03T16:39:24Z 2009-04-03T16:39:24Z

The Madison County Planning and Zoning Commission has finished drafting an ordinance to regulate the use of small and commercial wind turbines. According to Madison County P&Z Administrator Brent McFadden, the proposed ordinance has been in the works for the past six months. If passed, the wind turbine ordinance would amend Zoning Ordinance No. 176 by adding a chapter on wind turbine placement and specifications.

.20486 2009-03-26T03:35:59Z 2009-03-26T03:35:59Z

A Bingham County judge granted a motion today delaying the construction of 150 wind turbines in Wolverine Canyon, even though the plan was approved by the Bingham County Planning and Zoning Commission. Thursday afternoon Judge Richard St. Clair granted two motions filed by groups opposed to the project. One of those motions will extend the discovery period, meaning the soonest oral arguments will be heard is end of July.

.20487 2009-03-25T04:04:40Z 2009-03-25T04:04:40Z

It was a hot topic for months in Bingham County last year and Thursday it will be back in the lime light. The Ridgeline wind turbine project has been proposed to be built on 20,000 acres in Wolverine Canyon in Bingham County. The energy company wants to put in up to 150 turbines.

.20467 2009-03-24T11:05:41Z 2009-03-24T11:05:41Z

Arguments on motions by a group of Idaho Falls residents opposing development of a wind power project in Bingham County are scheduled to take place Thursday at the Bingham County Courthouse. The hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. before 7th District Judge Richard St. Clair in Courtroom 1.

.19280 2008-12-23T05:02:21Z 2008-12-23T05:02:21Z

At a time when Idaho trails others in harnessing wind resources, the Office of Energy Resources has disbanded the state's wind-power think tank and reassigned a staff member who had focused on wind projects to work on energy efficiency instead. The staffer, Gerald Fleischman, told the Idaho Wind Power Working Group he "will no longer be able to respond to requests about wind issues and wind projects," according to a letter obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press.

.18516 2008-10-23T16:10:59Z 2008-10-23T16:10:59Z

[A windmill] ordinance was one of the main topics of conversation at a Bonneville County Planning & Zoning meeting held at the Bonneville County Courthouse Wednesday night. Despite meeting until after midnight, nothing was decided upon. "The process of getting the government to go through and create and ordinance and draft an ordinance takes time. They don't like to just create an ordinance in five minutes and send it out," said Steven Serr of the Bonneville County Planning and Zoning Commission.

.17812 2008-09-04T21:27:16Z 2008-09-04T21:27:16Z

A group in southeastern Idaho has requested a judicial review of the Bingham County commissioners' approval of two wind farms. Natural Guardian Limited Partnership of Idaho Falls requested the review late last month because it said the production of energy is not in compliance with a county ordinance. The group also said there were inconsistencies within the county's planning and zoning decisions when it came to approving the wind farms.

.17236 2008-08-05T22:25:16Z 2008-08-05T22:25:16Z

Less than 24 hours after they unanimously approved a wind farm in Wolverine Canyon, Bingham County Commissioners gave the go-ahead for another wind farm to be built just three miles away. Bingham County Planning and Zoning Commission denied a special use permit for Western Energy Corporation in May.

.17235 2008-08-05T22:23:18Z 2008-08-05T22:23:18Z

Construction of a 150-turbine wind farm on 20,000 acres along Wolverine Canyon has been approved by Bingham County commissioners. The unanimous vote Monday to approve the plan by Ridgeline Energy LLC disappointed opponents who say the 490-foot turbines will be a blight on the scenic southeastern Idaho canyon, a popular recreation area south of Idaho Falls. ...Frank VanderSloot, owner of Melaleuca Inc. and a landowner in the area, said opponents are evaluating their options, including legal action.