Meeting on wind energy proposal set Thursday

Public discussion is to be heard Thursday evening on a proposed wind-energy project in central Osage County.

Mustang Run Wind Project calls for a 136-megawatt wind turbine facility that would encompass approximately 16,000 of acres of leased prairie land approximately 13 miles west of Pawhuska along U.S. Highway 60.

Developers of the project — TradeWind Energy of Lenexa, Kan. — have applied for a conditional-use permit needed before construction can begin on a wind-turbine facility.

The public hearing on the project will begin at 6 p.m. in the Ag Building at the Osage County Fairgrounds. As part of the meeting, the Osage County Board of Adjustment will consider approval of the permit.

Three years ago, a similar proposal resulted in granting of a permit to another company. The Wind Capital Group of St. Louis had proposed the Osage Wind project, a 94-turbine facility that was to have been built in the same area. TradeWind purchased the project from Wind Capital last September.

The previous proposal drew considerable opposition from the Osage Nation and wildlife organizations. Concerns were expressed over possible affects such a facility might have on the area’s eco-system and Native American cultural locations. Later, particular disdain was voiced regarding an eagle-take permitsought be the company in connection with possible accidental slaughter of eagles.

Recently, an agreement was reached by TradeWinds Energy and Oklahoma’s Grand River Dam Authority over GRDA’s long-term purchase of energy produced by the Mustang Run project and another wind facility the Kansas company is developing near Enid.