State panels favors new wind farm

A state energy siting panel Monday recommended Gov. Chris Gregoire approve the Desert Claim wind farm located eight miles northwest of Ellensburg.

Gregoire has 60 days to act on the unanimous recommendation of the state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council reached during a meeting in Ellensburg.

The 95-turbine wind farm on 5,200 acres would provide enough electricity for 57,000 homes.

The state agency, created to provide one-stop licensing for major energy projects, assumed jurisdiction over the project after Kittitas County rejected the application, claiming changes were made to the size and scope of the facility after the initial application.

Owned by the French firm enXco, Desert Claim would provide 282 jobs, more than $33 million in new economic activity and $995,000 in new state and local tax revenue during construction.

Annual operation will provide up to 25 jobs and $2.8 million in economic activity, according to studies conducted by Central Washington University.

Dave Steeb, project director for Desert Claim Wind Power LLC, said in a news release the project brings much-needed green jobs to the county and the state.

"Desert Claim offers a shot in the arm to the economy when it most needs it. Along with scores of citizens and organizations, we're hopeful that the governor will expeditiously approve the project."

If approved, Desert Claim would be the fourth wind farm approved in Kittitas County. The others are the Wild Horse wind farm, the Vantage Wind Farm and the Kittitas Valley Wind Farm.