BATTLE MOUNTAIN - The Planning Commission granted special use permits to the Lander County School District on Sept. 14 to allow the school district to proceed with erecting nine wind turbines, said Jim Harris, with UpStar Energy, the company overseeing the wind turbine projects for the school district.
Two special use permits were granted by the Planning Commission - one for the Austin Schools and one for Lemaire Elementary School, said Harris.
Harris said he will be onsite most of the time along with an engineer to oversee the projects. The turbines will be assembled and erected as soon as the two building permits are granted. The school district is applying this week for the building permits, said Harris.
A new wind turbine ordinance was passed Aug. 25 by Lander County commissioners. The school district's projects had to be put on hold while the ordinance was being discussed, said Harris. The ordinance deals with zoning and the distance wind turbines must be from buildings, property lines and roads, etc.
According to the ordinance, all of those seeking to erect wind turbines are required to seek special use permits from the Planning Commission.
The school district's wind turbine projects consist of three 40 kw turbines at Lemaire Elementary School and six 40 kw turbines at the Austin Schools for a total project of 360 kws.
Prior to the ordinance, UpStar Energy was looking at installing four 40 kw wind turbines at Lemaire Elementary School, three 40 kw turbines at the Austin Schools and five 40 kw turbines at Battle Mountain High School. Due to the setback requirements in the ordinance, no wind turbines will be erected at the high school, said Harris.
The parts for the wind turbines were built by several companies and should be arriving in Lander County next week, said Harris. All of the turbines will be assembled and erected around the same time and each one should take around three weeks, said Harris. He is hoping to have all of the projects completed by the end of October.
UpStar Energy will be paying for the projects and the company will be reimbursed by $1.3 million in NV Energy rebates. Unused funds will be reallocated next year through the Renewable Generations Program.
Per the Public Utilities Commission, the school district's wind turbine projects initially had to be completed by October but Harris said the time has been extended to Dec. 25.
Those who would like more information on UpStar Energy can visit www.upstarenergy.com.[[In-content Ad]]
