Kittitas County commissioners on Monday agreed to become an intervenor in the state's formal process to review the 95-turbine Desert Claim wind farm planned for eight miles northwest of Ellensburg. Gaining intervenor status from the state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, or EFSEC, means the county wants the right to cross examine expert witnesses and give its own expert testimony.

KITTITAS COUNTY - Kittitas County commissioners on Monday agreed to become an intervenor in the state's formal process to review the 95-turbine Desert Claim wind farm planned for eight miles northwest of Ellensburg.

Gaining intervenor status from the state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, or EFSEC, means the county wants the right to cross examine expert witnesses and give its own expert testimony during formal adjudication hearings on the wind farm proposed by enXco Inc., a French-owned renewable energy development company.

The courtroom-like hearings before EFSEC are expected to be conducted in Ellensburg later this year, in the summer at the earliest.

EFSEC officials expect to make a recommendation to Gov. Chris Gregoire on the project by the end of the year, in the fall at the earliest. The governor then makes the final decision.
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Commissioner Chairman Alan Crankovich on Tuesday said commissioners met with Deputy Prosecutor Neil Caulkins briefly on Monday and agreed county government needed "to have a place at the table" in deciding on the wind farm.

Yet, at this time, commissioners have not formed a firm position to take on the wind farm, Crankovich said. Taking a position on the proposed wind farm will probably occur closer to the start of formal hearings, he said.

"If you're not an intervenor you can't really participate effectively in EFSEC's decision-making process," Crankovich said. "But, at this time, I'm not sure the exact direction we, as a board, will take."

In 2005, county commissioners rejected a 120-turbine version of the project stating it wasn't compatible with surrounding land use in connection with the distance between residences and proposed turbine towers.

Since then, enXco has filed its project with the state in an alternative method to gain project approval. The project has been downsized to 95 turbines, and project officials say only seven rural residences of people not participating in the project (not leasing land to enXco) are within 2,500 feet of a turbine compared to 29 previously.

Commissioner Paul Jewell said commissioners agreed county government has a vested interest in the project and in the outcome of the development agreement that may be formed between enXco and the state.

"Seeking to become intervenors is the responsible thing to do," Jewell said.

The agreement would spell out in detail what the company will do during the construction and operation of the wind farm, including environmental safeguards.

Receiving intervenor status allows individuals and groups to have formal standing before EFSEC in order to support or oppose the project, or have influence to place specific guidelines or restrictions on the wind farm.

Deadline for parties to file for intervenor status in the project is April 17. EFSEC will conduct a hearing at 1:30 p.m. April 23 at the Hal Holmes Community Center to hear arguments for and against approving intervenor status for specific parties.

To find all Desert Claim wind farm documents online, including the latest environmental study, go to www.efsec.wa.gov.

Web link: http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2009/04/08/news/doc...