U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar joined federal, state and local
officials, energy industry leaders, ranchers and school children to
celebrate Arizona’s first commercial-scale wind power project at the
dedication of the Dry Lake Wind Power Project.
Located in Navajo County, the Dry Lake Wind Power Project sits on a
combination of private, state and federal lands. Approximately a third
of the project is on the private Rocking Chair Ranch, with a third each
on Arizona State Land Department and Bureau of Land Management public
lands.
“The successful completion of this vital project reflects the concerns
we all share – nationally, regionally and locally – about the critical
energy challenges facing communities across the United States,” said
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “The partnership that built
Arizona’s first commercial-scale wind energy project demonstrates a
common desire to reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil by using
our domestic renewable resources to meet a larger share of our energy
needs. This strategy will also help us reduce greenhouse gas emissions
to address climate change, while creating ‘green jobs’ around the
nation.”
The project brings a new source of clean, renewable energy to the region
while supporting the local economy through property tax payments to
Navajo County and job creation. During the peak of Dry Lake’s
construction, 200 direct construction jobs were created as well as
hundreds of indirect jobs through the supply chain and construction
support.
“This project is another example of the incredible potential that clean,
renewable energy has for Arizona and our country,” said Congresswoman
Ann Kirkpatrick, who serves Navajo County in the House of
Representatives and spoke at the dedication. “The Dry Lake Wind Farm
will deliver jobs, help us diversify our energy sources and lower our
utility bills. In these tough times, it is a shot in the arm for
District One.”
Dry Lake generates enough power for more than 15,000 homes, which will
be delivered to customers of Salt River Project.
“The message this plant sends to Arizonans is as important as the power
it generates,” said SRP General Manager Richard Silverman. “Today isn’t
only about a power plant, it’s about a more sustainable future for our
customers and all of Arizona.”
Composed of 30 Suzlon S88-2.1 megawatt (MW) turbines, the Dry Lake Wind
Power Project generates 63 MW of clean energy.
“We are proud to be part of Arizona’s first commercial-scale wind farm,
and of our role in creating jobs in the region. The Dry Lake project
underscores our commitment to the region,” said Tulsi Tanti, Chairman
and Managing Director for Suzlon Energy. “The U.S. is among the world’s
leaders in renewable energy, and we look forward to bringing more clean
energy and clean-energy jobs to Arizona and the United States.”
The Dry Lake Wind Power Project was developed and is operated by
Iberdrola Renewables, the largest provider of wind power in the world.
“Iberdrola Renewables intends to invest another $6 billion in new
renewable energy facilities in the United States over the next three to
four years,” said Martin Mugica, Executive Vice President for Iberdrola
Renewables. “It is very satisfying to help provide clean energy and
homegrown green jobs.”
The wind farm supports the local community through tax benefits to
Navajo County.
“Navajo County is proud to be the home of the first wind farm in the
State of Arizona,” said District III Supervisor J.R. DeSpain. “We hope
that the success of the Dry Lake project will encourage further
renewable energy development in the County and the State.”
In addition, the wind farm was honored with an award from the
Sustainable Electricity and Buildings Wind Powering America Program
National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
“Wind Powering America gives an award for the first wind farm in each
state because it’s a big deal. It represents working through all of the
issues and barriers that first-of–a-kind activities must deal with. It
demonstrates to all of the parties the benefits of a wind project –
economic benefits, price stability, and portfolio diversity,” said
Marguerite Kelly, Group Manager, Sustainable Electricity and Buildings
Wind Powering America Program National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
“Officials and the Arizona public can now see, hear and experience a
wind farm up close and personal.”
One of the most unique features of the Dry Lake project is that it is
located on a mix of federal, state, and private land.
“Today's announcement underscores the critical role that wind power will
play as America diversifies its energy portfolio,” said Bob Abbey,
Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). “As the steward of more
land than any other Federal agency, the BLM is proud to support the
development of this clean energy source, one that will help reduce our
dependency on foreign oil in uncertain times.”
Contributing to the mix, nearly a third of the land used for the project
is from the Arizona State Land Department.
“Sustainable renewable energy for Arizona is a great thing for our
future and the Arizona State Land Department is proud to be a
participant and a stakeholder in the first utility-scale wind energy
generation facility in the state,” said Ruben Ojeda, Rights-of-Way
Section Manager for Arizona State Land Department.
The project covers approximately 6,000 acres yet uses less than two
percent of the total acreage, leaving the majority of land for cattle
grazing.
“My family has been ranching for more than a hundred years and I always
believed that this site had the wind to support a commercial-scale wind
project,” said Bill Elkins, owner of the Rocking Chair Ranch. “Now, Dry
Lake is helping keep my family tradition going while providing jobs for
the next generation. My son works as a technician for Iberdrola
Renewables and he loves his job.”
More information available at
http://www.iberdrolarenewables.us/cs_drylake.html
Video and photos are available at
www.srpnet.com/drylake
.
Iberdrola Renewables
Jan Johnson, 503-796-7070
jan.johnson@iberdrolausa.com
or
Salt
River Project
Patty Garcia-Likens, 602-236-2500
patty.likens@srpnet.com
or
Bureau
of Land Management
Diane Drobka, 928-348-4403
diane_drobka@blm.gov
or
Suzlon
Wind Energy Corporation
Michelle Montague, 503-997-9550 (mobile)