Based on a photo by Ted Timmons.
A controversial plan to build a county owned wind farm near Hood River is dead.
County officials came up with the idea as way to make up for falling revenues from timber sales. But many people in the area were opposed, saying it would ruin scenic views, lower property values, and cause problems for wildlife.
The plan was to build six turbines – about 300 feet tall – on Middle Mountain within view of Hood River’s famous “fruit loop” of orchards and vineyards. Opponents said the turbines would also be visible from the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area.
What appears to have killed the plan was money. On Monday, Hood River commissioners received a new financial report showing the wind farm would produce only one-third of the revenue the county was hoping to get. Commissioners were also told they’d have to spend about $1 million on planning before construction could begin.
The vote to drop the idea was unanimous.
But opponents are worried that commissioners haven’t given up on their wind farm dreams. A group called the Gorge Forum is gathering signatures for a ballot measure to prevent Hood River County from spending money on wind turbines more than 150-feet tall. They have until June 23 to collect 446 names. Should they succeed, the voters will decide the matter in September.
Another group fighting wind farms in the area is Stop Wind Farms Here.
