3-24 FB Windpower on Farms

 Why would so much attention be given to windpower in agricultural publications? There’s a simple answer to that and I’ll have it for you after this important message. The Idaho Farm Bureau regularly publishes articles and blogs concerning aspects of life affecting ag producers. Just the other day they carried an article from the Idaho Statesman saying that the Idaho Public Utilities Commission is taking comments on the proposed sales agreement with Meridian-based Idaho Winds LLC for a project six miles northwest of Glenns Ferry. The project is to operate a 21-megawatt wind plant that will be known as the Sawtooth Wind Project.

 But windpower is great for farmers too. Huge open fields render wind generators at the end of those fields spinning out electricity to the farming operation and what’s left over…into the power grid. That’s revenue. Wind energy expert Jim Marker talks about the pragmatic side of wind: “Most people have the understanding that  if we want to continue to turn our lights on, if we want to continue to heat water so that we can take a warm shower that we’re going to need alternative forms of energy as we move into the future.”