Cloudwalker Wind Project to cover 30k acres

POMEROY–The Garfield County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) heard a presentation on the Cloudwalker Wind Project and approved a contract and agreement at their meeting on October 16.

Enel Green Power North America has leased the wind rights to 30,000 acres in northeast Garfield County for the project. Enel has conducted several economic and cultural surveys, and will conduct several more before designing and construction begins. Construction is loosely expected to begin mid-2025, with a go-live date of September 1, 2026 at the very earliest. The infrastructure of the project will occupy 1-2% of the 30,000 acres, and after construction farming, ranching and hunting will be able to be continued at the landowner's discretion. "Enel only hold wind right in their leases. All other rights remain with the landowners," stated Virginia Wiseman, Sr. Development Manager for the Project. Wiseman also stated that Enel will work closely with the landowners regarding road placements. Power sales are in negotiation and Wiseman declined to comment on where electricity generated by the Project would be used, but she stated that Garfield County would see benefits in tax revenue and local job creation.

Cloudwalker Wind Project has an estimated life span of 30-40 years, at which time it will be decommissioned and the equipment recycled according to Enel's no-landfill pledge. The land will be left in the condition it was when first leased, and any crop damages will be repaid. Enel will hold two open house meetings to discuss the Project, one at Spinner's Maple Hall on November 8, and one in Lewiston on November 9.

The BOCC approved a contract with People for People. The contract supplies Garfield County Aging and Disability with $4,500, which Garfield County matches at 50%, for basic food outreach. The contract is for the year of 2024.

The commissioners also approved a funding agreement with the Aging and Long Term Care Council of Government that provides Garfield County with $104,000 for Aging and Disability use. This is an increase over last year's funding of $84,000, due to case load and job requirement increases.