Tonight the Bingham County Planning and Zoning commissioners made a decision on whether to allow a special use permit for the Wolverine Canyon area, so Ridgeline Energy could build the wind farm. They approved the special use permit. But it's not quite over yet.

With a 4 to 3 vote, Bingham County Planning and Zoning Commissioners gave Ridgeline Energy the go ahead to build the Wolverine Canyon wind Farm consisting of 150 wind turbines that could be 492 feet tall. But there were some provisions to the approval and they can't break ground just yet.

"The process is not complete until the process is complete. But we feel very confident that the Planning and Zoning Department put together a very thorough process and the Planning and Zoning Board led by the Commissioner did a very thorough and thoughtful review." -Rich Rayhill, Ridgeline Energy

And if someone wants to appeal the commission's decision, they have 10 days to do so. And some landowners want to appeal. Orin Morgan is one of them. "A group of us, Spring Valley Acres, owners and people up and down that corridor where their gonna put the windmills will get together and will get lawyers and will fight it if we have to take it clear to judicial. I'm sure that's what'll happen."

The commission then has 30 days to answer that appeal and then 10 days to notify Ridgeline Energy of the decision and if someone disagrees with that decision, they have 28 days to file a judicial review. A judge will take a look at the proceedings and make a decision. That decision will stand. So the winds of change are turning but they aren't up to full speed just yet.

One of the provisions that the commission approved is that a committee will be appointed to oversee the construction and have to approve every wind turbine site.

And the turbines will be placed at least half a mile away from any existing structures instead of the 500 feet we told you was the possibility yesterday.
But the appeal process could take a little while as well. We will keep you posted on things as they develop.