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Zilkha Proposes Second Central Washington Wind Farm by Staff Puget Sound Business Journal, July 2, 2003

Houston-based Zilkha Renewable Energy Inc. said it is planning a second wind farm in Central Washington, a 165-megawatt, 100-turbine development seven miles east of Kittitas. The Wild Horse Wind Power Project is expected to cost more than $175 million, and will provide enough electricity to power about 40,000 homes, Zilkha said. Power generated from the plant would be routed through existing transmission infrastructure owned by Bonneville Power Administration or by Puget Energy Inc., the company said.

The project is expected to be online in 2005, assuming permitting is obtained. Zilkha said a formal application to the Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council would be forthcoming after completion of a potential site evaluation.

The council already is reviewing Zilkha's application to build a 180-megawatt wind farm on a ridge above state Highway 97, between Cle Elum and Ellensburg. That project is expected to cost $250 million.

Desert Claim Wind Power LLC in January submitted an application to the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners for permits to develop a third wind-power project in the area, a 180-megawatt wind farm on Reecer Creek, eight miles north of Ellensburg.

Kittitas County is a prime spot for wind farms, not only because the area is windy, but because the county is home to several high-powered transmission lines.

The lines feed power from hydroelectric dams along the Columbia River in Eastern Washington to Seattle, allowing wind-farm developers to access the lines at a relatively low cost.