Wind Turbines Hit Road Block

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By Abbey Gibb

Story Published: Nov 13, 2007 at 7:14 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 7, 2008 at 1:14 PM MDT

Wind Turbines Hit Road Block
Today's weather is a perfect example of why windmills in our area would be helpful. But one company trying to capitalize on that, has hit a road block. Ridgeline Energy has scrapped its plans to build a 150-turbine wind farm in Bingham County's Wolverine Canyon, which is a popular recreation site.
After Bingham County openly made a serious mistake, the company, which also built a wind farm in Bonneville County, is back to the drawing board.

Rich Rayhill, Ridgeline Energy: "We would like to be closer to the finish line, but if you finish and it's not done right, then you haven't really finished."

Rayhill was forced to withdraw his already county-approved application earlier today, after officials admitted they never notified 17 affected residents.

Wayne Bower, Bingham County Commissioner: "It makes a real problem for property owners and the county."

So how exactly could this happen? These orange sections you see together make up the 48,000 miles of Wolverine Canyon. The county's planning and zoning department was supposed to notify anyone within 300 ft of the project, but they admit, overlooked some areas.

Bower: "It was the counties mistake."

Although they say it wasn't intentional.

Bower: "There's an opportunity for alternative energy but it doesn't mean it's going to benefit Bingham County."

Because the power goes onto a grid which can be sold to anyone. But it's for different reasons More than 100 residents oppose this project.

Rayhill: "Their two big ideas is that they're gonna be right over the top of their heads and that they'll be noisy. And neither is the case."

For those home owners in support, this project is the answer to maintaining their ranching lifestyle.

Peggy Stolworthy, resident: "The only way we're gonna survive is to go green power."

Meaning after today, many residents were left disappointed.

Bill Sailor, resident: "I was hoping it would be over and done and approved."

But after seven years in the making...

Stolworthy: "We can wait. We've waited a long time to get where we are right now."

Rayhill hasn't decided exactly when he'll reapply, but it should be within the next month or so. Once he does, it'll go back to planning and zoning. But if residents still oppose it, they'll have another public meeting to debate it.

Quran burning

A Florida pastor says he is likely to burn copies of the Quran on September 11th. Gen. David Petraeus says the action could endanger US troops. The pastor says he's just standing up to radical Islam. What do you think of the idea?

  • A stupid idea. His symbolic protest puts real soldiers in danger, and shows the world we practice the same intolerance we condemn in our enemy.
  • A great idea. We need to spend less time worrying about whether our enemies in this war might be offended. If this is how he chooses to express himself, I'm all for it.
  • Not sure.