Western Region : Antelope Ridge Wind Farm

The proposed Antelope Ridge Wind Farm is located in Union County in Northeast Oregon, in one of the windiest areas in the Pacific Northwest. The wind farm was named for its location on the wind-swept ridges in the Antelope Valley, and is located nearby the operating Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm.

According to an economic impact study, Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm created $13 million in construction spending, operations revenue estimated at approximately $664,000 annually, 150 local construction jobs, and 15 operations jobs to the benefit of Union County. According to the same study, the Antelope Ridge Wind Farm, as a 300 megawatt project, would add even more long-term jobs and economic benefits, including up to approximately 165 local jobs during construction, 20 full-time operations jobs, and revenue estimated at approximately $2 million annually. The press release can be found here.

Antelope Ridge Wind Power Project LLC and Union County recently announced a tentative agreement on a Strategic Investment Program (SIP), which would infuse more than $40 million into Union County (based on a 300 megawatt project), including $1 million for local schools. The SIP structure ensures that approximately 70% more tax dollars stay locally to benefit Union County residents.

In addition to sharing the tax benefits of the project throughout the entire County, the SIP also provides special benefits for schools, for the taxing districts the project is located in, and for the two communities located closest to the project. A press release regarding the SIP can be found here.

Antelope Ridge Wind Farm has all the basic components necessary for a successful wind farm: access to high voltage transmission lines, leased and appropriately-zoned private land with willing landowners, and a stable, strong wind resource.

The wind resource at Antelope Ridge Wind Farm is unique in Oregon:  the winds peak in the winter when the electricity is needed most in the Northwest. This homegrown energy resource helps diversify the Northwest regional portfolio, moving the Northwest and the nation towards energy independence.

Antelope Ridge Wind Farm is in the midst of Oregon’s Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) siting process for an approximate capacity of up to 300 megawatts (MW) –enough electricity to power approximately 90,000 homes with clean, home-grown energy each year.

The Antelope Ridge Final Application for Site Certificate has benefited from nearly three years of environmental study and community conversations, resulting in a thoughtfully considered approach of avoiding and minimizing impacts, then mitigating. Over the three years, this has resulted in significantly increased buffer zones and setbacks and has reduced the project size to protect wildlife and other important resources, including an increased setback from the City of Union.

The Notice of Intent, submitted April 27, 2009, and Final Application for Site Certificate, submitted December 30, 2010, can be downloaded below.

Final Application for Site Certificate (ASC)

Select a document to download... Table of Contents Contributors Exhibit A - Applicant Info Exhibit A - A1 Cert. of Formation (as amended) Exhibit A - A2 2008 Acknowledgement of Filing of Application for Authority Exhibit B - Facility Description Exhibit B - B1 Description of Facility Components Exhibit C - Facility Location Exhibit C - C1 Vicinity Map Exhibit C - C2 Facility Location Exhibit C - C3 Facility Components Exhibit C - C4 Site Boundary Evolution Exhibit C - C5 Impact Areas Map Overview Exhibit C - C5a Impact Areas Map No.1 Exhibit C - C5b Impact Areas Map No.2 Exhibit C - C5c Impact Areas Map No.3 Exhibit C - C5d Impact Areas Map No.4 Exhibit C - C5e Impact Areas Map No.5 Exhibit C - C5f Impact Areas Map No.6 Exhibit C - C6 WKT Boundary Description Exhibit C - C7 WKT Memorandum Exhibit C - C8 Impact Calculations for Facility Types Exhibit C - C9 Footprint Analysis Memorandum Exhibit D - Applicant Expertise Exhibit D - D1 EDP Acquisition Press Release Exhibit D - D2 Project Experience Exhibit D - D3 Habitat Mitigation Projects Exhibit D - D4 Browne Consulting SOQ Exhibit D - D5 Evidence - KV Mitigation Compliance 091610 Exhibit D - D5 Evidence - ODFW Approve WHF RRD Mitigation Plan 120208 Exhibit D - D5 Evidence - RRD WHF NWC Update on Habitat Mitigation Progress Exhibit D - D5 Evidence - Union County Ltr re EH Mitigation 083110 Exhibit E - Permits for Construnction and Operation Exhibit E - E1 DOGAMI Consultation Exhibit F - Property Owners Exhibit F - F1 Adjacent LO List Exhibit F - F2 Adjacent Landowners Map Exhibit G - Materials Analysis Exhibit H - Geology and Soils Exhibit H - H1 Geology Overview Map Exhibit H - H2 Geology Inset Map No.1 Exhibit H - H3 Geology Inset Map No.2 Exhibit H - H4 Geology Inset Map No.3 Exhibit H - H5 Geology Inset Map No.4 Exhibit H - H6 Geology Inset Map No.5 Exhibit H - H7 Geology Inset Map No.6 Exhibit H - H8 MPE Seismic Hazard Deaggregation Exhibit H - H9 MCE Seismic Hazard Deaggregation Exhibit H - H10 MCE Seismic Hazard Deaggregation Exhibit H - H11 Reigional Earthquake Epicenters and Quaternary Faults Map Exhibit H - H12 Spectral Response Plots Exhibit H - H13 Documentation of DOGAMI Consultation 1 Exhibit H - H13 Documentation of DOGAMI Consultation 2 Exhibit I - Soil Conditions Exhibit I - I1 Soil Units Overview Map Exhibit I - I2 Soil Units Inset Map No.1 Exhibit I - I3 Soil Units Inset Map No.2 Exhibit I - I4 Soil Units Inset Map No.3 Exhibit I - I5 Soil Units Inset Map No.4 Exhibit I - I6 Soil Units Inset Map No.5 Exhibit I - I7 Soil Units Inset Map No.6 Exhibit I - I8 Signed 1200-C Permit Application Exhibit I - I9 DEQ Letter Exhibit J - Wetlands Exhibit J - Sheet 1 Exhibit J - Sheet 2 Exhibit J - Sheet 3 Exhibit J - Sheet 4 Exhibit J - Sheet 5 Exhibit J - Sheet 6 Exhibit J - Sheet 7 Exhibit J - Sheet 8 Exhibit J - Sheet 9 Exhibit J - Sheet 10 Exhibit J - Sheet 11 Exhibit J - Sheet 12 Exhibit J - Sheet 13 Exhibit J - Sheet 14 Exhibit J - Sheet 15 Exhibit J - Sheet 16 Exhibit J - Sheet 17 Exhibit J - Sheet 18 Exhibit J - Sheet 19 Exhibit J - Sheet 20 Exhibit J - Sheet 21 Exhibit J - Sheet 22 Exhibit J - Sheet 23 Exhibit J - Sheet 24 Exhibit J - Sheet 25 Exhibit J - Sheet 26 Exhibit J - Sheet 27 Exhibit J - Sheet 28 Exhibit J - Sheet 29 Exhibit J - Sheet 30 Exhibit J - Sheet 31 Exhibit J - Sheet 32 Exhibit J - Sheet 33 Exhibit J - Sheet 34 Exhibit J - Sheet 35 Exhibit J - Sheet 36 Exhibit J - Sheet 37 Exhibit J - Sheet 38 Exhibit J - Sheet 39 Exhibit J - Sheet 40 Exhibit J - Sheet 41 Exhibit J - Sheet 42 Exhibit J - Sheet 43 Exhibit J - Sheet 44 Exhibit J - Sheet 45 Exhibit J - J3 Wetland and Waters Delineation Report Exhibit J - J4 Wetland Removal-Fill Permit Application Exhibit J - J5 V14 Wetland and Waters Delineation Report Addendum Exhibit J - J6 V15 Wetland and Waters Delineation Report Exhibit J - J7 V16 Wetland Technical Memorandum Exhibit J - J8 V17 Wetland and Waters Delineation Report Exhibit J - J9 DLS Concurrence Letters Exhibit J - J10 DSL Incompleteness Response Exhibit J - J11 GRMW Mitigation Project Option Exhibit K - Compliance with Plng Goals Exhibit K - K1 Analysis Area Map Exhibit K - K2 County Zoning Map Exhibit K - K3 Big Game Goal 5 Map Exhibit K - K4 Land Capability Map Exhibit K - K5 High-Value Farm Soils Map Exhibit K - K6 Farm Survey Memorandum Exhibit K - K7 Union County Goal 5 Letter Exhibit K - K8 Union County RAI Letter Exhibit K - K9 Big Game Monitoring&Management Plan Exhibit K - K10A Riparian Memorandum Exhibit K - K10B Riparian Impact Locations Exhibit L - Protected Areas Exhibit L - L1 Protected Areas Map Exhibit L - L2 Viz Sim CatherineCreekStatePark-90m Exhibit L - L2 Viz Sim CatherineCreekStatePark-100m Exhibit L - L2 Viz Sim N Powder Wild Scenic Exhibit M - Financial Capability Exhibit M - M1 Opinion Letter to OEFSC 09.29.2009 Exhibit M - M2 Surety Reference Letter Exhibit N - Non-Generating Info (NA) Exhibit O - Water Requirements Exhibit O - O1 City of Union Water Sales Resolution_1 Exhibit O - O1 City of Union Water Sales Resolution_2 Exhibit O - O1 City of Union Water Sales Resolution_3 Exhibit O - O2 City of Union water supply letter 082509 Exhibit O - O3 Letter of Support Perkins Jimmy Ck 090209 Exhibit O - O3 Watermaster Letter re Limited License 080609 Exhibit O - O4 City of NP water supply letter Exhibit P - Fish and Wildlife Exhibit P - P1 Habitat Categorization Map Exhibit P - P2 Habitat Type Map Exhibit P - P3 ORNHIC_Data Exhibit P - P4 USFWS data Exhibit P - P5 Elkhorn Rare Plant Technical Memo Exhibit P - P6 Baseline Wildlife Study Protocols P7 2009 BASELINE REPORT Exhibit P - P8 2010 Supplemental Baseline Study Exhibit P - P9 Elkhorn Big Game Monitoring Exhibit P - P10 Antelope Ridge and Elkhorn Valey Pre-Construction Big Game Study Area Comparison map Exhibit P - P11 Habitat Mitigation Plan Exhibit P - P12 Revegetation Plan Exhibit P - P13 WIldlife Monitoring Mitigation Plan Exhibit P - P14 Existing Development Map within Various Buffers from Sage-Grouse Potential Lek Exhibit P - P15 Wildlife Setbacks Map Exhibit Q - T&E Species Exhibit Q - Q1 Analysis Area Map Exhibit R - Aesthetics Exhibit R - R1 Map of Scenic Resources Exhibit R - R2A ZVI_Project Exhibit R - R2B ZVI_Union Exhibit R - R3A Existing_SV-1_SWUnionAthletic_12710 Exhibit R - R3B Sim_SV-1_SWUnionAthletic_120710 Exhibit R - R3C Existing_SV-2_SEUnionAthletic_120710 Exhibit R - R3D Sim_SV-2_SEUnionAthletic_120710 Exhibit R - R3E Existing_SV-3_Livestock_120710 Exhibit R - R3F Sim_SV-3_Livestock_120710 Exhibit R - R3G P-1_ViewSE_120710 Exhibit R - R3H P-2_ViewS_120710 Exhibit R - R3I ViewS_12-07-10 Exhibit R - R3J P-4_ViewSE_120710 Exhibit R - R3K P-5_ViewSE_0120710 Exhibit R - R3L P-6_ViewSE_120710 Exhibit R - R3M P-7_ViewS_120710 Exhibit S - Cultural Exhibit S - S1 Analysis Area Map Exhibit S - S2 Protection Plan Exhibit S - S3 SHPO Plan Approval S4 SHPO Historic Concurrence Exhibit T - Recreation Exhibit T - T1 Recreational Facilities and Opportunities Map Exhibit T - T2 County Addl Rec Areas Exhibit U - Community Services Exhibit U - U1 Populations Map Exhibit U - U2 Transporter Routes Exhibit U - U3 La Grande Fire Letter Exhibit U - U3 Sheriff Letter 100109 Exhibit U - U4 HWY 237 radius past bridge Exhibit U - U5 I84 Exit 273 Off-Ramp Exhibit U - U6 ODOT Consultation Exhibit U - U7 Local Rural Frontage1 Exhibit U - U7 Local Rural Frontage2 Exhibit U - U7 Local Rural Frontage3 Exhibit U - U7 Local Rural Frontage4 Exhibit U - U7 Local Rural Frontage5 Exhibit U - U7 Local Rural Frontage6 Exhibit U - U7 Local Rural Frontage7 Exhibit U - U7 Local Rural Frontage8 Exhibit U - U7 Local Rural Frontage9 Exhibit U - U7 Local Rural Frontage10 Exhibit U - U7 Local Rural Frontage11 Exhibit U - U7 Local Rural Frontage12 Exhibit U - U7 Local Rural Frontage13 Exhibit U - U7 Local Rural Frontage14 Exhibit U - U7 Local Rural Jimmy Cr Improvement Exhibit U - U8 Intersection Improvements Exit 278 Exhibit U - U8 Intersection Olson Rd Improvements Exhibit U - U9 County Road Consultation Exhibit U - U10 OR Bridge Log for HWY 237 Exhibit U - U11 Access Road A Exhibit U - U11 Access Road B Exhibit U - U11 Access Road C Exhibit U - U11 Access Road D Exhibit U - U11 Access Road E Exhibit U - U11 Access Road F Exhibit U - U11 Access Road G Exhibit U - U11 Access Road H Exhibit U - U11 Access Road I Exhibit U - U11A Master Access Road Map Exhibit U - U12 City of NP Traffic consultation summary Exhibit U - U12 City of Union Traffic Consultation letter Exhibit U - U12 Traffic Mgmt Plan Exhibit V - Solid Waste and Wastewater Exhibit W - Restoration Exhibit W - W1 Estimated Cost of Site Restoration Exhibit X - Noise Exhibit X - X1 Predicted Noise Countours dBa - 90-meter Rotor Turbine Layout Exhibit X - X2 Predicted Noise Countours dBa - 100-meter Rotor Turbine Layout Exhibit Y - CO2 (NA) Exhibit Z - Cooling Towers (NA) Exhibit AA - Transmission Line Details Exhibit BB - Requirements of Project Order Exhibit CC - Statutes, Rules, Ordinances Exhibit DD - Siting Standards

Notice of Intent (NOI)

Select a document to download... Cover Page and Table of Contents Exhibit A - Applicant Information Exhibit B - Project Description Exhibit C - Project Location Exhibit D - Alternative Sites Transmission and Pipelines Exhibit E - Permits Exhibit F - Property Owner Information Exhibit G - Project Maps Exhibit H - Non-Generating Facility Exhibit I - Land Use Exhibit J - Environmental Impact Summary Exhibit K - Community Impact Summary Exhibit L - Water Sources and Use Exhibit M - Carbon Dioxide Emissions Exhibit N - Statute Evaluation Exhibit O - Site Certification Schedule Exhibit P - State Commission on Indian Services Consultation

Press Releases

Select a document to download... Study Shows Wind Farms' Significant Economic Impact EDPR Wind Energy and Union County Announce Proposed Agreement on Antelope Ridge Strategic Investment Program

Fact Sheet

City of Union Visual Simulations

Select a document to download... Existing View to the Southwest from Union Athletic Complex Simulation View to the Southwest from Union Athletic Complex Existing View to the Southeast from Union Athletic Complex Simulation View to the Southeast from Union Athletic Complex Existing View to the South from Eastern Oregon Livestock Exposition Grounds Simulation View to the South from Eastern Oregon Livestock Exposition Grounds

 

Oregon Department of Energy’s EFSC homepage

For inquiries pertaining to this wind farm, please contact an EDPR representative.