Wind turbine project proposed for Steens Mountain

Yesterday ONDA submitted comments and written testimony to the Harney County Planning Commission objecting to applications for the construction of a 400 megawatt industrial wind power project on North Steens Mountain. ONDA supports the development of clean, renewable energy, including wind power, through a thoughtful process that ensures a complete review of potential ecological and economical impacts to the area.

Click here for ONDA's full comments

The project would place hundreds of 250-foot tall wind turbines within view of the Steens Mountain Loop Road and within the Steens Cooperative Management and Protection Area. The developer, Columbia Energy Partners, has asked for land use permit approval without conducting any studies on the potential effects of the development on birds, including sage grouse, that depend on this area. The developer also has not obtained necessary rights-of-way from the Bureau of Land Management and the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to connect the proposed project to the regional energy grid and has not fully disclosed the project's effects on the unspoiled qualities of Steens Mountain. By breaking its project into four applications, Columbia Energy Partners has attempted unlawfully to avoid the Oregon state Energy Facility Siting Council environmental review process.

A public hearing date has been set for August 20th at 7pm at the Harney County Court House at 450 N. Buena Vista in Burns. More information on the project application can be found at www.harneyedu.net/planning.html