Wind energy in Montana has its origins in Livingston, where several wind power turbines were set up in the early 1980s. In the late 1990s, as continued dependence on foreign oil encouraged Americans to consider renewable energy resources, Montana was dubbed, "the Saudi Arabia of wind." Now, five years into the new millennium and a quarter century away from Montana 's early wind power beginnings, Montana 's first wind farm is now operational. The Judith Gap Energy Center straddles Highway 191 in central Montana between Harlowton and Judith Gap. Located on state school trust land and private land, this project consists of 90, 1.5 megawatt wind turbines, 13 of which are on school trust lands.
GreenHunter Energy, (formerly WindHunter, LLC) has decided not to pursue it's initial proposed wind development projects roughly 30 miles north of Glasgow. GreenHunter Energy is now looking at lands adjacent to the initial project area to determine if a new 50MW project is feasible.
In addition, the Springdale Wind Energy Project is in the beginning stages. This project is located approximately half way between Livingston and Big Timber on I-90. The project will have 45 towers, six of which will be located on school trust land. Construction of the 67.5 megawatt project may begin as early as 2008.
With Montana being ranked number four in the nation by the American Wind Energy Association for wind-energy potential, the DNRC feels that there is unlimited potential for wind energy projects to be located on school trust lands
Interest in developing wind power on state land is growing every day. The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation seeks to support and encourage wind power generation on state school trust lands across our state. People interested in leasing state land for wind power development can contact Mike Sullivan at 406/444-6660.
Source: Dnrc.mt.gov
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