The Future of Windpower in Idaho

 Here in Idaho, there’s a lot of wind. Wind that can be farmed…by farmers. Just listen to Barbara Miller, Business Manager for Eagle Rock Timber, a company that puts up wind turbines. She’s discussing the viability of wind power paying for itself. “A farmer, absolutely in an open field, especially at the crest of the valleys where the wind comes whipping in, it seems very logical in my own opinion.” That’s one direction…let’s say North  Northeast at 25 mph. Now here’s an actual quote from Idaho Energy Csar Paul Kjellander: “Based on greenhouse gas realities, and the fact that renewables such as wind, solar and geothermal are not yet ready to meet our large-scale needs, our resource options are limited to the three 'N's' - nuclear, natural gas, or nothing." OK. That opinion is blowing directly out of the South Southwest at 30 mph. Here comes Governor Butch Otter with a strong gust: “As part of our base load requirements we are going to be very aggressive about wind, about solar, about bio-mass, geothermal…all of the other opportunities that we’ve got in Idaho”

Then this from the President of a major wind turbine manufacturer: “Unfortunately the entire wind industry has been hit by the economic situation starting last November and right now financing of wind farms is still challenging.”

Interesting future for the industry depending on which way the wind blows.