The United States needs clean, renewable electric power. That's why the Wilderness Society supports harnessing wind as an increasingly appealing option toward meeting our nation's energy needs while also grappling with challenges such as global warming, air pollution and energy independence.

Recent news accounts may have created a wrong impression concerning a specific wind energy proposal, and it's important to clarify the record: The Wilderness Society wants to see wind energy succeed, and to succeed here in Montana.

To that end, we place a high importance on working with industry, communities, private landowners and others to develop energy. We strongly support a process where Montanans together can literally and figuratively build a map toward success - working with the governor or other elected officials, experts, companies, communities and land management agencies to find and develop those places that have suitable wind and transmission lines, garner community support and allow protection of other conservation values.

Montana is a big state with a lot of open country and a lot of wind. We are confident that many places, such as the wind farm at Judith Gap south of Lewistown, can be found to appropriately develop wind energy. These places would likely be closer to existing transmission lines, in areas already developed with road networks for servicing the wind generators, and places with fewer conflicts with birds.

Valley County concern

As we look to increase the use of wind power, some discussion about the suitability of specific sites for wind development makes sense. Just as there are a lot of opportunities in the state for wind energy development, there are also some places that are better left as they are today.

That's the crux of the concern that The Wilderness Society and other conservation and sportsmen organizations expressed concerning a proposed wind project in Valley County. A Texas-based company, Wind Hunter, proposed developing a 20,000-acre project on Bureau of Land Management, state and private land that included 334 turbines and a new 34-mile transmission line.

The project was proposed for development immediately adjacent to one of the most remote, wild, and picturesque places left on America's northern prairie, the Bitter Creek Wilderness Study Area/Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Here one finds still native prairie without any roads, power lines, houses, lights or towers. Even fencing is minimal. As public land, it's renowned for birding and hunting opportunities as well as its unmarred, forever vistas.

Wind facilities need to go where entrepreneurs want to put them, where there are suitable wind conditions, and where power can be transmitted economically. We strongly support wind power in Montana and Valley County and asked the BLM to review several alternative locations that that would develop wind power in the region while reducing adverse effects on Bitter Creek. The BLM so far has refused.

The first alternative location was along consolidated state land to the southeast of the proposed site that has similar wind performance data. Such a location would generate more revenue for Montana schools while also shortening transmission line requirements. Another possibility is the former military base at Saint Marie, now called the Valley Industrial Park. It is relatively close to the proposed site and already has power lines and good access to roads.

Gas field option

As a third option, the Bowdoin Gas Field encompasses a huge swath of Montana prairie west of Valley County with an existing road network. Public lands in this area already are impacted and would make a good location for an industrial wind facility. The Judith Gap wind facility was established among Air Force missile sites. Surely, wind turbines could be combined with gas wells. Also, the Fort Peck Reservation also has expressed interest in wind power development.

Unfortunately, Wind Hunter and the BLM have refused to consider anything other than the one location immediately next to Bitter Creek. Now, even before any final BLM decision, Wind Hunter says it's going somewhere else that is easier to do business. If the company wants to blame us, so be it. But with a little more effort and cooperation, Montana could have wind power and pristine prairie. One does not need to be sacrificed for the other.

A newspaper editorial recently called for local leaders to "help develop wind energy projects where they are appropriate in the state." On that, we are in full agreement. Together we can promote this new clean energy source in locations that work well for Montana, both today and tomorrow.

Peter Aengst is deputy director for the Northern Rockies office of the Wilderness Society in Bozeman.