Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has purchased full ownership rights to develop the Lower Snake River Wind Energy Project in Washington state. The project was launched as a joint development partnership between PSE and RES Americas Inc. in December 2008 and is now solely owned by PSE.
As sole owner of the Lower Snake River project, PSE will oversee all development, design and construction of the wind facility, as well as its operations when in service. RES Americas will remain part of the utility's team, with responsibility as the project's prime construction contractor. The utility expects initial construction on support infrastructure to begin in 2010 and the first phases to enter commercial energy production in 2011.
A conditional use permit (CUP) application for the project was filed in January in Garfield County, with a CUP expected to be filed in Columbia County later this year.
According to the January CUP application, the Lower Snake River Wind Energy Project will have the capacity to produce as much as 1,432 MW from up to 795 wind turbines when completed.
A draft environmental impact study associated with the permit application for the project is now available for public comment with the planning agencies in Garfield and Columbia counties.
SOURCE: Puget Sound Energy
