Sagebrush, cattle, and wind: a great combination of elements for a wind farm that successfully shares the land with ranching. Add in good access to high-voltage transmission lines and roads, along with supportive landowners, and the Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm is born. Elkhorn Valley provides over 100 megawatts (MW) of affordable, pollution-free electricity to the Northwest, equal to the annual energy requirements of approximately 30,000 homes. Horizon Wind Energy installed 61 wind turbines over about 10,000 acres of open range leased from local landowners. The turbines, underground power lines, roads, and substation blend well with current land uses; the wind farm itself takes up only about 150 acres..


Project Facts and Figures

Location: Union County

Acreage: 10,000 acres

Construction Completion Date: December, 2007

Project Size: 100 megawatts

Turbines: 61

Interconnection: Idaho Power 230 kV line 2 miles west of the Project site

Land Compatibility

The Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm is developed on non-irrigated land, most of which is currently used for cattle grazing. The permanent footprint of the Project affects only approximately 150 acres from cattle grazing uses. Wind power projects are highly compatible with ranching activities, and the Project is not expected to affect the productivity of cattle grazing operations. Additionally, the steady source of income to property owners from the Project will help increase and diversify overall ranch income, helping to ensure continued agricultural viability. Construction and operation of the Project and associated facilities do not impair or impact current land uses, change land use patterns, or conflict with existing zoning ordinances.

Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm is not expected to impact activities on adjacent land. Adjacent uses include grazing, the cultivation of alfalfa and hay on the flat land near HWY 237, and timber harvesting on private lands to the east of the Project area. The Union Pacific Railroad runs through the Project site paralleling Telocaset Lane and HWY 237. There is also a small rock quarry directly to the north of the Project area.

Benefits of Wind Energy for the Pacific Northwest

The need for additional power generation in the Pacific Northwest was clearly illustrated by the power shortages of 2001. Wind energy can also help reduce the pressure on the Columbia River hydropower system. One 1.5 MW wind turbine will typically produce as much power in one year as 1.3 billion gallons of water. Wind energy projects require no water resources to operate, generate no pollution, and result in minimal additional traffic or demand for local government services.

Wind energy is clean, safe, and highly compatible with agricultural and ranching activities. Wind energy also benefits the local and national economy by creating jobs while reducing reliance on imported energy. Wind power has proven to be particularly popular with consumers; as a result, wind energy has been the fastest growing source of electricity generation in the world since the 1990s.

Environmental Benefits

The Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm will emit zero pollutants and greenhouse gases and will produce enough energy to power 30,000 average American homes.  On average*, this amount of power in Oregon causes the emission of 83 tons of NOx, 85 tons of SO₂, and nearly 50,000 tons of CO2.  By providing carbon-free electricity, Elkhorn Valley will have an environmental effect equivalent to removing more than 10,000 cars from the road.   

• Clean, renewable energy protects the environment and public health for generations to come.

• Reliable wind energy power secures long-term energy pricing: once the infrastructure is in place, the wind is free.

• Wind energy reduces dependence on foreign and domestic fossil fuels.
 
• Wind power diversifies energy portfolio.

• Clean-running wind energy improves air quality.

*Estimates from EPA eGRID 2002, emissions from the state of Oregon in 2000.  

Economic Benefits

Construction of the Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm will yield significant economic benefits to the people of Union County:

• Approximately 250 workers were involved in the construction phase.

• Many materials and services were purchased locally.

• The creation of 14 permanent full-time, family-wage jobs.

• Construction of the project will increase the tax revenues collected in Union County.

• Construction of the project increased the tax revenues collected in Union County The people of Union County support the Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm for its economic benefits.

The people of Union County support the Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm for its economic benefits.

Permitting Schedule

On June 27, 2005, the Union County Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a Conditional Use Permit for the Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm. No one spoke out in opposition to the Project. Additional written testimony in support of the Project was submitted by the Renewable Northwest Project and the Union County Economic Development Corporation. Union County adopted a very clear Wind Siting Ordinance in 2003 that has made it exceptionally easy to interpret the County’s expectations and address all requirements up front.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Horizon Wind Energy signed a cooperative Wildlife Management Plan in June, 2005.


Studies

Horizon has conducted detailed studies at the Elkhorn Valley site and kept open communication with local government agencies and the community. Qualified independent contractors have performed extensive environmental studies and concluded that no significant adverse environmental impacts are expected.

Biological studies conducted to date:

• Bald Eagle and Other Sensitive Wildlife Survey (3/2003-12/2003)
• Avian Use Survey (03/2003-12/2003)
• Avian Point Counts (03/2003-12/2003)
• Raptor Nest Surveys (03/2003-12/2003)
• Vegetation Mapping (03/2003)
• Big Game Ground Surveys (12/2003-03/2004 and 12/2004-03/2005)
• Big Game Aerial Surveys (01/2004 and 03/2004 and 03/2005)
• Sage Grouse Ground Surveys (12/2003-03/2004 and 12/2004-03/2005)
• Sage Grouse Aerial Surveys (03/2004 and 03/2005)
• Sensitive Species Habitat Ground Survey (05/2005)


Links

Official Website for Union County, OR
City of Union, OR
Union County Tourism

Comments or questions about the Elkhorn ValleyWind Farm? Please contact Hilary Foote at hilary.foote@horizonwind.com or 503-222-9400 ext 101.