05/23/08 Idaho wind power, part 2

Idaho has 50 operating wind power machines. Another 34 are under construction. The current 75 megawatts of wind power generation will jump dramatically is current planning is carried out and 286 megawatts are added from those turbines. Advanced planning on five major projects like Cotterell Mountain and Browns Bench would add another 915 megawatts. John Steiner of Idaho Windfarms says the state ranks 13th in the nation for potential wind power. STEINER "We take the national wind energy maps and we map that across our state to see where the potential capacity for wind power would be and we derive at a figure of how many megawatts could be generated from those capacities. " Steiner says there are struggles to overcome and attitudes that have to change. STEINER "We have some constraints when it comes to transmission lines for wind projects in Idaho. However we are now working out those constraints and I do believe that we'll see a lot more wind development in Idaho." There are several websites you can get more information about Idaho wind and other forms of alternative energy. Go to our website, www.aginfo.net and you find the links there. www.energy.idaho.gov www.idahowind.org www.idahogeothermal.org Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott