This full-page advertisement appeared this week in both the Blackfoot and the Post Register newspapers in Idaho. The ad responds to the recent 4-3 vote by the Bingham County Planning and Zoning Commission to approve a giant wind project in Wolverine Canyon. An appeal of the decision has been lodged with the County Commissioners.

Excerpt of minutes from the Bingham County Planning and Zoning Commission public hearings on the Ridgeline Energy wind facility slated for Wolverine County. This except includes testimony by Idaho Fish and Game staff biologist Jim Mende.

Application for appeal from the decision of Planning and Zoning regarding the special use permit submitted by Ridgeline Energy, LLC Rendered on September 26, 2007.

The objective of this study is to assess the costs that could be incurred by Idaho Power in modifying its operations at the Hells Canyon Complex for “integrating” or incorporating wind energy onto its system.

The intermittent and unpredictable nature of wind generation requires a utility to have generating resources available which can increase or decrease generation on short notice in order to keep the interconnected power system balanced. While hydroelectric power plants are well suited for performing this function, there are operational impacts and costs associated with operating Idaho Power hydroelectric plants in a manner that maintains reliability and facilitates integration of energy from wind generation facilities.

The issues surrounding the integration of wind generation on interconnected power systems are numerous and complex. This study provides a first step toward understanding those issues.