Boston, United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] First Wind announced that it has begun construction of its Milford Wind Corridor Project. The Milford Wind Corridor Project will have a capacity of up to 203 megawatts (MW) upon its completion, making it one of the largest renewable energy facilities in Utah and the largest wind energy farm in the state. It will feature a total of 97 wind turbines. Construction of this project is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
Last month, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) completed a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental assessment for the facility and issued the finding with the decision to approve the project. The Milford Wind Corridor is the first wind energy facility permitted under the BLM’s Wind Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Western U.S. states.
In December 2007, First Wind completed a 20-year power purchase agreement with the Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA), on behalf of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and the cities of Burbank and Pasadena to supply the City of Los Angeles with electricity from the Milford project.
In a related story, the wind industry will have a new leader starting in January. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) announced the appointment of Denise Bode as its new CEO, effective January 2, 2009. Bode will succeed Randall Swisher, who is retiring after a 19-year stint with AWEA.
Bode, who is currently CEO of the American Clean Skies Foundation, is a nationally recognized energy policy expert who served for nine years on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Her experience in the energy field includes seven years as president of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) and nine years on the staff of then–U.S. Senator David Boren (D-OK) as his legal counsel, focusing on the areas of energy and taxation.
“Denise Bode is an extremely dynamic and well-respected leader on energy issues in Washington, D.C., and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to AWEA. We are very fortunate to have such a talented and able individual available to lead the Association at a time when renewable energy stands on the threshold of dramatically expanding its contribution to America’s energy supply,” Swisher said.
