They've considered more hydroelectric plants, but depending on the water year they can be unreliable. They’ve also thought of wind turbines, but again those are only as reliable as the wind, and according to them nuclear power isn’t an option for at least 20 years.

Kathleen Clarke, Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), announced completion of an environmental review of the largest wind energy project on Federal land in the last 25 years. Approval of the Record of Decision (ROD) and right-of-way grant for the Cotterel Wind Power Project on 4,500 acres of BLM-managed public land clears the way for the installation of up to 98 turbines on a ridge in south-central Idaho five miles east of Albion in Cassia County.

The Cotterel wind-energy project in Cassia County is underway, but not with out a fight.

ALBION — Windmills still could whirl and hum on the ridgeline above Albion, but not as soon as a developer had hoped. Any time may be too soon for Albion Valley residents who remain opposed to developing nearly 100 wind turbines on the picturesque Cotterel Mountain. Talk of legal action in an attempt to stop the project has emerged.

Ninety-eight wind energy turbines have just been approved for the top of the Cotterel Mountains. This makes for the largest wind energy project on federal land in the last 25 years. Both the Department of Interior and the Bureau of Land Management announced they approved the plans.

BOISE — State utility regulators denied a local wind developer’s request to amend a sales agreement with Idaho Power Co.

The Cotterel Mountain Ridge is home to wildlife, a place for people to hike and recreate, it provides a scenic view for Albion residents, and soon it could be the next wind farm in Idaho if Boise based Windland Incorporated gets it's way.

That’s good news to people who support renewable energy such as wind, solar and biomass -- but all supporters still have to face the state’s decision on the issue before they can get too excited: Results of a state utilities wind integration study are forthcoming.

Exergy already operates one wind farm in the state — Fossil Gulch Wind Farm located at Bell Rapids in the Hagerman area. And the company has 10 more projects on its drawing board. Like many wind power producers, Exergy and Carkulis will be keeping an eye on the upcoming release of a state utilities’ wind integration study to see just how friendly the state is to wind power.

The landscape on the foothills behind Idaho Falls may soon look a little different. There's a proposal to build 50 new wind turbines.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho Blades on two turbines at the Wolverine Creek wind farm have snapped, forcing crews to shut them down for repairs.

Director Bob Boren reported that the Idaho Consumer-owned Utilities Association (ICUA) has passed a resolution to get hydroelectric power reclassified as "green" energy. The resolution next goes on to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association for consideration at the regional and national levels.

Boise State will partner with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Idaho National Laboratory, the Idaho Department of Water Resources and other agencies on the Wind Energy Research Laboratory.