Learn the truth about the myths surrounding Columbia County wind projects and get the answers to wind frequently asked questions.

COLUMBIA COUNTY WIND POWER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What Is Wind Energy?
What Projects Has RES Americas Developed In Columbia County?
Why Columbia County?
What Is A Wind Farm?
How Much Does It Cost To Build A Wind Farm?
What Are Wind Turbines?
How Do Wind Turbines Work?
How Much Energy Can Wind Supply?
Where Does The Electricity From The Wind Projects Go?
What If The Wind Doesn’t Blow?
What Is The Cost Of Wind Energy?
Will A Wind Farm Affect My Property Value?
Do Wind Farms Make Noise?
What Will Wind Energy Do For Our Columbia County’s Economy?
Does Wind Energy Impact The Environment?
What Environmental Studies Are Conducted In Advance Of Permitting And Construction?
What Will Happen To Local Wildlife Populations?
Can Wind Energy Help America Become Energy Independent?
What Are The Future Development Plans For Columbia County Or Other Nearby Counties?
How Can I Get Involved With Wind Energy? I Have Questions Or Comments About The Project, Who Should I Contact To Make Sure That My Comments Are Heard?

What Is Wind Energy?

Wind Energy, Sometimes Called Wind Power, Is Power Derived From Wind. Wind energy is used to generate electricity or mechanical power.

Wind Energy Is A Form Of Renewable Energy. It is a converted form of solar energy. The sun's radiation heats different parts of the earth at different rates. In addition, different surfaces (for example, water and land) absorb or reflect solar energy different rates. This in turn causes portions of the atmosphere to warm differently. Hot air rises, reducing the atmospheric pressure at the earth's surface, and cooler air is drawn in to replace it. The result is wind. (American Wind Energy Association Website, www.awea.org, Accessed 8/29/07

What Projects Has RES Americas Developed In Columbia County

Click Here For Information On RES Americas Columbia County Projects.

Why Columbia County?

Columbia County Has Many Important Characteristics Needed To Develop And Maintain Wind Facilities. Critical factors for a wind project include reliable wind, a topography which is conducive to wind farm construction, and existing transmission lines. In addition to the above factors, the agricultural lands in Columbia County are highly compatible with wind energy development. Farmers can continue to grow wheat and other crops around wind turbines and other facilities with very little impact on agricultural operations.

Additionally, The Citizens Of Columbia County Are Supporters Of Wind Energy And Have Been Integral Players In The Development Of Projects, Which Have Provided Jobs And Other Economic Benefits To The County.

What Is A Wind Farm?

Wind Farms, Also Known As Wind Energy Plants, Are Power Plants Comprised Of Multiple Wind Turbines. As demand for electricity grows, wind turbines can be added as needed. The power collected at wind farms is fed into an existing electricity grid where it is combined with electricity from other power plants and delivered to utility customers. Wind farms generate extra income for farmers, ranchers, and local landowners. Other land uses, like ranching and farming, can continue undisturbed.

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Wind Farm?

The Total Cost Of Developing And Constructing Of A Wind Farm Is Approximately $1.8 Million Per MW.

What Are Wind Turbines?

Wind Turbines Generate Electricity For Homes And Businesses And For Sale To Utilities. The main components of a wind turbine consist of a tower, three propeller-like blades, a rotor, a shaft, and a generator. Read “How Do Wind Turbines Work?” to see how these parts work together to create electricity.

What Is A Wind Turbine Made Of? The towers are usually made of steel and the blades are made of fiberglass-reinforced polyester or wood-epoxy. (American Wind Energy Association Website, www.awea.org, Accessed 8/29/07)

How Big Is A Wind Turbine? Depending on the turbines available at the time of construction, the turbine/tower combination may be as high as 420 feet in height. Newer, larger turbines not only allow for increased efficiency but the blades move more slowly and reduce possible impacts on raptors and other birds.

Why Are Wind Turbines So Tall? Wind turbines are mounted on a tower to capture the most energy. At 100 feet or more above ground, they can take advantage of faster and less turbulent wind. (U.S. Department Of Energy, “How Wind Turbines Work,” www1.eere.energy.gov, Accessed 8/29/07)

Take A Look Inside A Wind Turbine To See The Various Parts. (U.S. Department Of Energy, “How Wind Turbines Work,” www1.eere.energy.gov, Accessed 8/29/07)

How Are Wind Turbines Sited? Wind measurement devices called anemometers are placed in areas where frequent and consistent winds are suspected. Together with wind vanes, anemometers measure wind speed, direction and seasonal fluctuation. Data from anemometers is interpreted by specialists and an indicative turbine layout is prepared. Turbine layouts often are modified to accommodate landforms, property line setbacks, construction restrictions and environmental restrictions.

How Do Wind Turbines Work?

To Generate Electricity A Wind Turbine Performs Three Key Steps: 1. Energy from the wind turns the turbine’s blades around a rotor. 2. The rotor spins a shaft. 3. The shaft spins a generator to create electricity.

The Concept Behind Wind Energy Is Similar To That Of Hydroelectric Electricity. Turbines are placed in currents of wind, as the wind currents pass the turbine blades, the rotors are turned and electricity is generated.

View The U.S. Department Of Energy’s Wind Turbine Animation. (U.S. Department Of Energy, “How Wind Turbines Work,” www1.eere.energy.gov, Accessed 8/29/07)

For More Information Read The U.S. Department Of Energy’s “How Wind Turbines Work”.

How Is The Electricity From The Turbines Fed To The Existing Transmission Lines? Electricity is gathered from each turbine and conveyed by a common underground cable to substations, where the voltage is then increased to the level of existing transmission lines. A three-phase overhead line from each substation would then convey the electricity to the interconnect points of the existing transmission lines, along steel or double wood poles, topped by anti-perching triangles and surge arrestor caps.

How Much Energy Can Wind Supply?

A Modern Wind Turbine Can Power Roughly 800 Homes At Wind Speeds As Low As Eight Miles Per Hour. Modern wind generation turbines are complex machines, each generating about 1.5 – 2.4 megawatts of electricity – enough to power approximately 800 homes at wind speeds as low as 8 miles per hour. Turbines are designed to work independently, so if one fails in any way, the others continue operating.

Wind Energy Is Poised To Be A Significant Part Of America’s Diverse Energy Portfolio. Wind is clean and plentiful. Experts estimate that wind energy could easily produce more than 20 percent of our nation’s electricity supply by 2020.

The U.S. Department of Energy Estimates America’s Wind Energy Potential To Be Much Greater Than Total U.S. Electricity Consumption Today. Tapping only a fraction of that potential would provide a significant part of America’s electricity supply. In the United States, wind energy currently produces approximately 17 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, equivalent to powering the average consumption of roughly 1.6 million American homes year-round. (U.S. Department Of Energy, www1.eere.energy.gov, Accessed 8/29/07)

Where Does The Electricity From The Wind Projects Go?

The Energy That Is Generated At The Wind Projects Is Sold To Local Utilities And Is In Turn Delivered To Local Utility Customers.

What If The Wind Doesn’t Blow?

When The Wind Isn’t Blowing Strong Enough To Turn The Turbines That Generate Electricity, Your Electricity Will Still Work In The Usual Way. Electricity grids and the various sources of generating facilities that supply them are designed to cope with peaks and valleys in the demand for power. This planning and system redundancies includes backup sources of power to ensure electricity is there when people need it.

Wind Energy Outputs Can Be Predicted Quite Accurately Hours In Advance And The Variations Are Smoother Than In Conventional Generation, Making It Easier For The System Operator To Manage Changes In Supply.

Wind Energy Is An Efficient Way To Generate Electricity. Using a free and infinite source of fuel to generate electricity – the wind – is about as efficient as you can get. The technology is efficient too – modern wind turbines are operational 70 percent to 85 percent of the time, and generate, on average, up to 35 percent of the theoretical maximum output over a year’s time. This is known as a load or capacity factor. The exact figure is dependent on the location, technology, size, turbine reliability and wind conditions, of course. By comparison, the load factor of conventional power plant is on average about 50 percent.

The Wind You Feel On The Ground Is Not The Same As The Wind At The Top Of A Turbine. Wind is slowed by friction as it hits the ground and vegetation, but the power of wind can be five times greater at the blade tip on a large modern wind turbine. (American Wind Energy Association, “Wind Power Today,” www.awea.org, Accessed 8/29/07)

What Is The Cost Of Wind Energy?

The Cost Of Generating Electricity From The Project Will Be Similar To The Cost Of Generating Electricity From A New Natural-Gas Fired Electric Facility.

Wind Energy Reduces The Demand For Natural Gas Resulting In Lower Electricity Prices Over Time. According to studies by the American Wind Energy Association electricity generated from wind energy reduces the demand for natural gas by several million cubic feet per day. This in turn reduces the marginal price for natural gas for all consumers.

Proximity To A Utility Scale Wind Energy Project Has No Effect On The Cost Of Electricity For Customers Within The Same Service Area. The affect on the electricity bills of local residence will be similar to that of other electricity customers.

Will A Wind Farm Affect My Property Value?

Properties Near Washington State Wind Projects Have Increased In Value. An informal study was undertaken on two farms in the state of Washington directly adjacent to a wind farm that was constructed in 2004. Both properties have manufactured homes, outbuildings, and a barn. Sales were documented prior to construction of the wind farm and after the farm was operational. In both cases, the value of the property increased.

First Property Increased 19% Between 2004 (Prior To Wind Farm Construction) And 2007 (After Wind Farm Construction). (Columbia County Assessor’s Office)

Second Property Increased 22% Between 2001 (Prior To Wind Farm Construction) And 2007 (After Wind Farm Construction). (Columbia County Assessor’s Office)

Studies Have Shown That The Typical Impact On The Value Of Land And Tourism Near Wind Farms Is Positive. A study conducted by ECONorthwest on the impacts of wind energy development in Kittitas County found that in five counties (including Walla Walla County) there were no negative impacts on property values for lands adjacent to or within view of wind energy projects. (“Economic Impacts Of Wind Power In Kittitas County,” ECONorthwest, 11/02)

A Study Commissioned By The U.S. Government Found No Evidence Showing That Wind Farms Negatively Impact House Prices. A study conducted by the Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP) indicated no change in property values of 25,000 homes within a five-mile radius of various wind farms – other than a small increase, likely due to a general increase in overall property prices. (George Sterzinger, Fredric Beck, Damian Kostiuk, “The Effect Of Wind Development On Local Property Values,” Renewable Energy Policy Project, www.repp.org, 5/03, Accessed 8/31/07)

In Fact, The Report Noted Many “Property Values Actually Rose More Quickly In The View Shed [Of Major Wind Developments] Than They Did In The Comparable Community.” “If property values had been harmed by being within the view-shed of major wind developments, then we expected that to be shown in a majority of the projects analyzed. Instead, to the contrary, we found that for the great majority of projects the property values actually rose more quickly in the view shed than they did in the comparable community. Moreover, values increased faster in the view shed after the projects came on-line than they did before. Finally, after projects came on-line, values increased faster in the view shed than they did in the comparable community. In all, we analyzed ten projects in three cases; we looked at thirty individual analyses and found that in twenty-six of those, property values in the affected view shed performed better than the alternative.” (George Sterzinger, Fredric Beck, Damian Kostiuk, “The Effect Of Wind Development On Local Property Values,” Renewable Energy Policy Project, www.repp.org, 5/03, Accessed 8/31/07

RES Americas Is Committed To Developing Projects That Will Have Minimal Impact On Local Residents. The development of wind farms as a component of a sustainable energy supply strategy must go hand in hand with sensitive environmental design and planning – and that includes sensitivity to properties we purchase or lease, as well as land adjacent to our facilities. No energy technology is without its effect on the environment, but RES Americas strives to develop projects that, as much as possible, have minimal impacts on local residents and the surrounding countryside, as well as the wider environment.

Do Wind Farms Make Noise?

Modern Wind Turbines Are Surprisingly Quiet.You can stand right underneath the blades and still hold a conversation without raising your voice. RES Americas follows rigorous and independent noise standards when designing its projects – including Washington State’s noise standard. Moreover, wind farms are subject to strict planning conditions that limit noise levels to ensure they never exceed proscribed levels.

The Turbines Make A Noise Similar To The Swooshing Noise A Kite Or Large Bird Makes, And In Some Areas This Noise Is Hidden By The Sound Of The Wind In Nearby Trees Or Other Vegetation. In technical terms, turbines generate 34-45 dB (at a distance of 350 meters), for comparison a car traveling 40 mph at a distance of 325 feet generates 55dB.

An Operating Modern Wind Farm At A Distance Of 750 To 1,000 Feet Is No Louder Than A Kitchen Refrigerator. The sound turbines produce is similar to a light whooshing or swishing sound and is much quieter than other types of modern-day equipment. Even in rural or low-density areas (where there is little additional sound to mask that of the turbines) the sound of the blowing wind is often louder.

What Will Wind Energy Do For Columbia County’s Economy?

RES Americas’ Wind Energy Projects Have, And Continue To, Benefit Columbia County:

Columbia County Projects Generate Tax Revenue For Columbia County. The Hopkins Ridge Wind Facility alone contributes more than $806,000 in tax revenues annually. The completion of Marengo and Dayton will potentially add another million in tax revenues.

Columbia County Projects Have Created Jobs And Provided Financial Support For Local Businesses. Development and construction activities in the county has resulted in approximately 15 new permanent jobs, over 200 temporary jobs, and financial support for local businesses.

Though A Formal Economic Impact Analysis Has Not Been Conducted To Date In Columbia County, Two Nearby Counties, Kittitas And Sherman County Oregon Have Had Analysis Prepared. The results of these studies can be found here and here.

The Renewable Northwest Project Has Also Studied Wind Power And Economic Development In The Pacific Northwest. The results can be found here.

Wind Energy Benefits Rural Area Economies. Many of the best sites for wind farms are found in rural areas. Because wind farms only use a fraction of the land, farmers and ranchers can continue to work the land and make an extra income from the rent they are paid for the use of their land.

Wind Can Provide Diversified Income For Farmers, Ranchers, And Other Local Landowners. Each megawatt of wind can provide $2,000-$4,000/year or more in farm income even though only two to five percent of the land within wind farm boundary is used for turbines and access roads. (Wind Energy Works Website, www.windenergyworks.org, Accessed 8/30/07)

The Payments Come Through No Matter How Good The Weather Has Been, Creating A Stabilizing Force To The Ups And Downs Of Farming. (Brad Heavner, Robert Pregulman, and Travis Madsen, “Energy For Washington’s Economy,” WashPIRG Foundation, www.washpirg.org, 6/03)

The Union Of Concerned Scientists Estimates A Typical Farmer Or Rancher With Good Wind Resources Could Increase The Economic Yield Of His Or Her Land By 30%-100%. (Brad Heavner, Robert Pregulman, and Travis Madsen, “Energy For Washington’s Economy,” WashPIRG Foundation, www.washpirg.org, 6/03)

Landowners Can Lease A Small Section Of Their Land For Wind Farms While Continuing To Farm And Ranch On The Land Surrounding The Turbines. Although wind farms occupy large areas, the actual physical footprint of each wind turbine is small. A landowner can lease 10% of a farm’s land area for the construction of wind turbines while continuing to grow crops or graze animals on the rest of the land around the turbines (Brad Heavner, Robert Pregulman, and Travis Madsen, “Energy For Washington’s Economy,” WashPIRG Foundation, www.washpirg.org, 6/03)

Wind Farms Can Be A Valuable Source Of Property Tax Income For Local Governments. (Wind Energy Works Website, www.windenergyworks.org, Accessed 8/30/07)

Wind Energy Creates Jobs. Wind provides approximately one skilled O&M (operations/maintenance) job for every 10 turbines installed. One study estimated increasing wind energy to three percent of the United States electricity supply would create 150,000 manufacturing jobs. Many would be in states that have been losing jobs. (Wind Energy Works Website, www.windenergyworks.org, Accessed 8/30/07)

Wind Farms Have Proven To Be A Major Tourist Attraction. (Andy Porter, “Tourists Flock To See Windmills In Action,” Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 7/1/02; Province Of Manitoba, “Manitoba's First Wind Farm A Tourism Hotspot,” Press Release, 7/24/06)

In 2003, Washington State Public Interest Research Group Foundation (WashPIRG) Studied The Impact Of Wind Energy In Washington And Found:

By 2020 Washington Could Install Enough Turbines To Generate 1,700 aMW Of Power, 14% Of The State’s Power Needs. With this amount of growth, Washington will have developed 89% of its total wind potential according to the most pessimistic resource estimate and 24% of total potential according to the most optimistic published estimate. (Brad Heavner, Robert Pregulman, and Travis Madsen, “Energy For Washington’s Economy,” WashPIRG Foundation, www.washpirg.org, 6/03)

Developing 1,700 aMW Of Wind Power Would Create 8,700 Year-Long Jobs And 590 Permanent Jobs. (Brad Heavner, Robert Pregulman, and Travis Madsen, “Energy For Washington’s Economy,” WashPIRG Foundation, www.washpirg.org, 6/03)

Developing 1,700 aMW Of Wind Power Would Result In Approximately $103 Million In Lease Payments To Landowners Through 2020 And $11 Million Per Year Thereafter. (Brad Heavner, Robert Pregulman, and Travis Madsen, “Energy For Washington’s Economy,” WashPIRG Foundation, www.washpirg.org, 6/03)

Wind Power Would Generate Twice As Much Tax Revenue As Natural Gas For Half The Capacity – $372 Million In Annual Property Taxes For 1,700 aMW Of Wind Power Compared With $192 Million For 3,400 aMW Of Natural Gas. (Brad Heavner, Robert Pregulman, and Travis Madsen, “Energy For Washington’s Economy,” WashPIRG Foundation, www.washpirg.org, 6/03)

Does Wind Energy Impact The Environment?

Wind Energy Is A Clean And Environmentally Friendly Energy Source.

Wind energy produces clean, renewable electricity without emitting pollutants into our air or creating hazardous wastes.
Wind energy, unlike other sources of energy, requires no mining, drilling, or transportation of fuel, and no disposal of radioactive or other hazardous or polluting waste.
Wind energy helps preserve open space, conserves water and poses no threats to our national security.

Compare Wind’s Environmental Impact To Other Sources Of Energy:

(American Wind Energy Association Website, www.awea.org, Accessed 8/30/07)

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What Environmental Studies Are Conducted In Advance Of Permitting And Construction?

For All Development Projects On Private Lands In Columbia County A Conditional Use Permit Is Required; Several Studies Are Used To Determine The Appropriate Conditions For The Permit. Several environmental studies including archaeological and cultural resources investigations, bird and bat use studies and raptor nest searches, wetlands and waters studies, vegetation mapping, geotechnical testing, sensitive and endangered species studies, economic impact studies, visual impact studies, acoustical impact studies, air quality studies, water quality studies, public transportation and utilities studies, are all used in determining the appropriate conditions for the permit that is issued by Columbia County.

Click Here For Environmental Studies And Documentation Used For RES Americas’ Projects In Columbia County.

The State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) Requires State And Local Agencies To Take Into Consideration The Impacts Of A Proposed Project On The Environment Before Approving A Project. To date RES Americas has prepared three very detailed SEPA (State Environmental Protection Act) documents which have been reviewed by several state and county agencies.

Click Here For SEPA Documents Prepared For RES Americas’ Projects In Columbia County.

RES Americas Has Continual Communication With Agency Specialists To Determine The Important Environmental Concerns And Appropriate Ways To Minimize Impacts.

What Will Happen To Local Wildlife Populations?

Wind Energy Is Compatible With Animals And Humans. Wind does have minor wildlife impacts, but they are small compared to other electric generation choices. (American Wind Energy Association Website, www.awea.org, Accessed 8/30/07)

The Wind Energy Industry’s Efforts To Reduce The Impact Of Wind Turbines On Birds Have Been Very Successful – Wind Turbines And Birds Can And Do Coexist Successfully. The modern wind turbine is far less harmful to birds than are radio towers, tall buildings, airplanes and vehicles and numerous other manmade objects. A reasonable, conservative estimate is that of every 10,000 human-related bird deaths in the U.S. today, wind plants cause less than one. Even if wind were used to generate 100% of U.S. electricity needs, at the current rate of bird kills, wind would account for only one of every 250 human-related bird deaths. Individual bird deaths due to wind development will never be more than a very small fraction of those caused by other commonly accepted human activities and structures--house cats kill an estimated 1 billion birds annually in the U.S. alone, buildings 100 million to 1 billion, automobiles 60-80 million, power lines hundreds of thousands to as many as 175 million, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and other sources. (American Wind Energy Association Website, www.awea.org, Accessed 8/30/07)

The Wind Industry Welcomes Scrutiny Of, And Comparison With, All Of The Impacts Of All Sources Of Power Generation. Many extensive studies of bird collisions at wind farms have been carried out, a practice that contrasts greatly with the lack of a systematic effort to monitor direct impacts on avian species from mining and drilling, power plant emissions or pollution, or habitat loss brought on by these activities. Any public or private research effort, regulatory effort, or legislative proposal designed to quantify the impact of power generation on birds, bats, and other wildlife should encompass all power sources, not just wind. (American Wind Energy Association Website, www.awea.org, Accessed 8/30/07)

RES Americas Is Committed To Wildlife Protection. The wind industry has demonstrated continual innovations leading to greater protection of the environment and wildlife.

RES Americas Conducts Pre-Construction Wildlife Surveys. Intensive bird use studies are conducted in advance of permitting a wind energy project. Potential impacts are mitigated through a variety of ways including assisting state conservation agencies in purchasing off-site habitat lands for preservation.

RES Americas Continues Wildlife Monitoring Studies During Construction Of Wind Facilities. During the operation of each project monitoring studies are conducted to determine the actual impact on bird species. This data can be used to determine what sort of mitigation measures may be appropriate if impacts exceed expected values. In addition this data is used in comparative analysis with other wind energy projects across the country to improve technology and minimize impacts to birds and bats.

Post-Construction, The Wind Industry Monitors Impact On Local Wildlife. (American Wind Energy Association Website, www.awea.org, Accessed 8/30/07)

Can Wind Energy Help America Become Energy Independent?

Yes, Wind Energy Can Help Make America Energy Independent. Wind energy is produced domestically and the supply is unlimited. Wind energy can help reduce our dependence on imports of oil, natural gas, and other fuels. U.S. winds could generate more electricity in 15 years than all of Saudi Arabia’s oil, and the supply would never be depleted. (Wind Energy Works Website, www.windenergyworks.org, Accessed 8/30/07)

What Are The Future Development Plans For Columbia County Or Other Nearby Counties?

RES Americas And Its Partners Would Like To Continue To Develop Wind Farms In Appropriate Locations In Columbia County And Other Washington State Counties. We are currently measuring wind speeds in strategic locations near existing transmission lines and on compatible use lands.

How Can I Get Involved With Wind Energy? I Have Questions Or Comments About The Project, Who Should I Contact To Make Sure That My Comments Are Heard?

We welcome your comments and questions and want to be good corporate citizens in Columbia County. To support the wind energy projects in Columbia County or to have someone contact you about wind energy please sign up here. You can also contact us.

For more information on wind energy please refer to these other resources:

American Wind Energy Association

U.S. Department Of Energy