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County is ready, willing to consider wind farms

Zoning regulations allow development in specific area

Staff reporter

A wind farm project may be in Marion County's not too distant future.

Recent announcements by Butler County Commission when it approved the construction of 100 wind energy towers proves the point.

David Brazil, county zoning administrator, explained the county is poised and ready for such development.

The zoning regulations that were adopted in 2004, allow development of WECS (Wind Energy Conversion Systems) in a specific area of the county.

In fact, Brazil said the regulations encourage it.

"The overlay district was created specifically for this purpose," Brazil explained.

The overlay district (see map) begins at U.S.-77 and 140th Road; goes west to Pawnee Road; south to U.S.-50 and 70th Road; goes two miles east to Remington Road; then two miles south to 50th Road; then east to U.S.-77; and then north to U.S.-77 and 140th Road. In includes all of the described area except sections one and 12, township 21, range four; and section 18, township 21, range five.

Specific and detailed criteria, as directed in the regulations, must be followed before county officials will allow permits for such projects.

The Beaumont project

PPM Energy of Portland, Ore., is the owner of the Elk River project, near the small Butler County community of Beaumont.

The $190 million project is a 150 megawatt wind farm with 100, 260-foot turbines over a 7,968-acre area.

Construction began in May and is expected to be completed in November.

Butler County will not see any revenue from the project because it is on tax-exempt land.

Landowners are being paid undisclosed lease payments by the energy company for allowing their land to be used.

Empire District Electric Company, a company based in Joplin, Mo., signed a 20-year contract with PPM Energy to purchase the energy generated by the project.

The electric company will provide electric service to approximately 157,000 customers in southeast Kansas, southwest Missouri, northeast Oklahoma, and northwest Arkansas.

"We are pleased to be building our first wind power plant in Kansas, the state with the third most robust wind resource in the nation," said Terry Hudgens, chief executive officer of PPM. "The Elk River Project is the third we have announced so far that is expected to go into commercial operation in 2005, and we look forward to additional growth and geographic expansion in 2005."

So, what's in it for the county?

According to Butler County Administrator Will Johnson, benefits of the project may not be apparent — right now anyway.

"We had to look at it from a planning and zoning issue," Johnson explained. Butler County's comprehensive plan allows the proposed use and location.

The project was initiated by landowners more than three years ago.

"It was not solicited by the county," Johnson said. The county had the responsibility of reviewing the application for the permit. When the criteria was met, the application was approved.

"The county's decision to allow or not allow was a difficult one," said Johnson. The commission looked at the wishes of the landowners and made the decision to approve it.

Obvious benefits from the project are some job creation, and a substantial economic boost to the area during the construction phrase.

"I truly believe that PPM is going to come to the table and be a corporate partner in the community," Johnson said. He said there may be monetary contributions to the county since the company will not pay property taxes.

A federal ruling makes property used for wind farms tax exempt.

"Landowners are receiving a substantial amount of money off of this," Johnson said, as another benefit to the county. Most likely the landowners will recirculate their windfall in the county.

Johnson concluded by saying other benefits may not be recognized right away but enjoyed in the future.

What it means to Marion County

Marion County residents have shown an interest in wind energy and have contacted Brazil to obtain information about permits.

"Local people are interested in county regulations in support of the possibility," said Brazil.

Companies like PPM are familiar with typical regulations like Marion County's, and know the steps to comply.

The process is long, tedious, and expensive but worth it for the energy company.

Brazil also is excited about the possibilities.

"I hope we see an application soon," Brazil said.

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