Wind Today - Q4 2008 - (Page 59) News Horizon Wind Energy Starts Conservation Program at Meridian Way Wind Farm in KS Grassland birds, especially the greater-prairie chicken, will have a place to call home while Horizon Wind Energy, Houston, TX, Greaterprairie constructs its new 201 MW chicken Meridian Way Wind Farm in Cloud County, KS. On Sept. 24, Horizon Wind Energy signed an agreement with Ranchland Trust of Kansas (RTK) and the Nature Conservancy of Kansas to develop an offsite habitat restoration program for the Kansas prairie ecosystem. The 20,000-acre program calls for more than 13,000 acres of land to be reserved for permanent conservation easements near the wind farm. Construction of the 67-turbine wind farm began earlier this year. It is expected to be fully operational by the end of December. “Horizon believes that wind energy must be developed in a responsible and progressive manner that moves towards achieving a sustainable domestic energy supply while protecting local ecological resources,” says Horizon Chief Development Officer Gabriel Alonso. In 2003, Horizon hired a team of scientists from Kansas State University and the Kansas Biological Survey to determine the ecological impacts of the wind farm’s construction process. The pre-construction study included the possible effects on habitat fragmentation resulting from road and wind turbine construction. Due to the study’s findings, Horizon voluntarily funded the conservation program. The Nature Conservancy of Kansas’ State Director Alan Pollom says, “In addition to the habitat rehabilitation and protection benefits, (the program) also sets a solid standard for ecologically responsible wind energy development.” Pollom adds, “I would urge all wind developers and power purchasers to embrace the reality that concern for our environment extends well beyond the issue of air emissions.” Heather Ervin, associate editor Response No. 591 Response No. 592 59 http://www.michels.us http://www.windspeed.co.uk http://www.michels.us
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