Representatives of Hilltopper Wind Project seek approval from Logan County Board

[May 12, 2017]  LINCOLN - At the Logan County Board Workshop on Thursday, May 11, board members heard from representatives of Swift Current Energy concerning amendments to the original permit for the Hilltopper Wind Farm Project.

Kyle Barry, an attorney who represents Swift Current Energy, reviewed plans. He said Swift Current Energy acquired the Meridian Wind Farm Project in December and renamed it Hilltopper Wind.

Barry said a permit was previously approved in 2015, but they are now presenting two applications. One application is to amend the existing permit and the other is to add parcels to the project.

Barry said the idea is to "improve the layout" of the project, "reduce the number of turbines" used, and "have a lower impact on the community" while generating the same amount of electricity.

Matt Birchby of Swift Current Energy, one of the project leads, gave board members a handout describing the project. Birchby said the company tries to "fit into the fabric of the community." They have redesigned the project to "be a good neighbor," consider "farming first" and cause the "least impact."

Birchby said key changes in the new design are improving setbacks by moving a mile further from Mount Pulaski, expanding the number of acres from 7,500 to 9,500; and decreasing the number of turbines from 81 to 74. He said the average setback of 1,900 feet exceeds the ordinance standards of 1,000 feet.

Birchby said when they will be erecting turbines at nighttime, notifications will be posted on the project website.

Birchby said they try to use best practices by being as far from farmland as possible. The operations and management building that was to have been on farmland will now be at the old Bo-Jac Building.

Birchby said the $300 million project cost has been funded by private dollars and will receive tax credits when operational. He said the average property tax payment the project will be making annually is $1.5 M dollars. Over the project life, the total payment to participating landowners will be around $25 M, and for non-participating landowners payments will be around $4 M.

Birchby said those who have turbines within 3,000 feet of their primary residence will receive $1,000 annually for the life of the project. The new layout increases the residences from 131 to 221 residences, so they are paying out $221,000 a year for impact on non-participating landowners.

Questions from board members

Board member Kevin Bateman asked if payments would be made to people living in the home or the homeowner since some are renting.

Birchby said the payment would be to the homeowner.

David Hepler asked if there is any enforceability if those payments are not made.

Zoning Officer Will D'Andrea said from a technical standpoint, they would be violating the conditions of their approval, but "enforcement would be difficult."

Public comments

Several people offered public comments on how the wind farm would impact the community.

Dennis Minick, business manager of Operating Engineers, Local 965, Shane Austin and Josh Leach of Ironworkers, Local 46, and Matt Peterson of the International Electrical Workers, all said the work would bring in jobs to community and pay good wages. They all encouraged the board to support the project.

Bob Frick of General Electric said turbines will be produced in various parts of the United States. He said Swift Current is making good progress and doing things in "great practice for the community."

Jared Brown of Logan County Farm Bureau said they are not in favor of, or against, the wind farm project, but asked Swift Current Energy to "agree to the same conditions" as the previous company as far as community payments and benefits.

Tom Martin of Logan County Citizens for Responsible Land Use said they have previously opposed the project and "continue to oppose the fundamental project itself," but with proposed conditions, "we as a group support those conditional changes you are looking at tonight."

The Regional Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals both approved the applications last week.

On Tuesday, Planning and Zoning Committee Chairman Scott Schaffenacker would make two motions. The first one for an amendment to a conditional use permit for Hilltopper Wind Power, LLC. Schaffenacker's second motion is for a conditional use permit.

Board members present were Board Chairman Chuck Ruben, Vice Chairman Emily Davenport, Kevin Bateman, Dave Blankenship, Janet Dahmm, Bob Farmer, David Hepler, Gene Rohlfs, Bob Sanders, Scott Schaffenacker and Annette Welch.

The board will vote on the motions at their Regular board meeting, which will be held Tuesday, May 16 at 7 p.m. in the Logan County Courthouse.

[Angela Reiners]