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By DAKOTAH DAVIS
Special to the Traveler

County commissioners gave a green light to developers planning to harness wind power in eastern Cowley County Tuesday.

County commissioners passed a resolution expressing "general support" for Greenlight Energy, Inc. Greenlight plans to install 75-100 energy-generating wind turbines on locally owned agricultural land. Company representatives shared their plan with the county last month while promising the creation of 15-20 jobs.

Before approving the resolution, Commissioner Carmelita Clarkson asked about licensing fees for the operation.

At the moment county counselor Bill Taylor is drawing up a licensing agreement that will work as a regulating factor in place of zoning. The counselor has contacted the governor's office to see if there is "any proposed legislation" on wind farms, he said. Taylor is also checking with other counties with wind farms to see what kind of a "general fee" Cowley County should charge.

Wind energy is a renewable energy source, similar to solar energy, according to information from Washington D.C.'s National Wind Coordinating Committee. Wind farms produce only a fraction of today's energy needs, but are seen as a more environmentally-friendly option than traditional pollution-emitting power plants.

The City of Winfield has become what is called an anchor tenant, or consumer of wind energy, that helps support the growth of the wind turbine industry. The city now buys its electricity from the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA), according to a news release. The energy is generated at a 68-turbine wind farm located northeast of Woodward.

"We are pleased to be participating in OMPA's wind energy option program," said Colin Whitley, superintendent of Winfield's electric utilities. "Wind power is one of the purest forms of energy available. We are committed to responsible environmental stewardship."

Wind farms do not create air pollution or greenhouse gases, according to the NWCC. Wind energy plants produce electricity using natural air currents, rather than fossil fuels.

Greenlight representatives have said the wind farms do not interfere with a landowner's farming practices and cattle can graze up to the foot of the turbines.

Opponents of wind farms say the Flint Hills and its native resources are further endangered by wind plants, according to a document prepared by the Wind and Prairie Task Force, a group created by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to study the impact of wind turbines.