The Blaine County Commission will hold at least one more meeting on an ordinance regulating allowable wind energy facilities within the county that would either be freestanding or set on rooftops.
The commission met yesterday at the Old County Courthouse to tackle one of the most controversial issues regarding wind energy facilities, namely whether or not wind turbines would be allowed within the “scenic corridor,” or visible from state Highway 75.
While the commissioners seemed amenable to this idea at their last meeting on this issue in August, they all spoke against having turbines in this area on Tuesday. This issue drew plenty of public comment, with those against arguing that wind turbines along the scenic corridor would negatively impact the natural beauty as people drive through the valley. Those in favor of having turbines there said that wind energy is becoming more accepted around the world and that people not only wouldn’t mind seeing the turbines, but would hail them as evidence that the community is taking progressive steps for energy conservation.
The commission is slated to continue deliberating on this issue on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 2 p.m.
JON DUVAL, Idaho Mountain Express – http://www.mtexpress.com/vu_breaking_story.php?bid=8152
