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 Wind is nothing new to residents of Southern Colorado and yet,
while never considered a resource, always a burden, Huerfano County’s windswept land
is soon to be the site for Pole Canyon Wind, a commercial wind farm. Gary Energetics,
a Samuel Gary, Jr. & Associates, Inc. energy company based in Denver, Colorado, started
the initial process of contacting landowners in early 2007. As an alternative energy
company, Gary Energetics is focused on developing diversified energy resources in order
to provide long-term solutions for future generations. With the construction of the Pole
Canyon Wind Farm, Gary Energetics is one step closer to achieving its goal.
The process
of building a wind farm requires immense planning and detail, from the first landowner
contacted to the last turbine installed. Gary Energetics has partnered with Babcock &
Brown Wind Partners, Inc., one of the leading global companies in the wind energy business
today, to ensure successful construction and operation of the Pole Canyon Wind Farm.
To date, there are seven 200-ft. meteorological testing towers in place on the site.
These towers monitor and record wind speeds and direction, providing valuable information
for the sitting of the turbines. With over 25,000 acres leased for the project and all
necessary permits granted for the construction of the wind farm, Gary Energetics is confident
in the success of the project. The proposed generation of the wind farm is 300MW (megawatt)
and will consist of approximately 125, 2.4 Mitsubishi turbines. A wind farm of such capacity
can power roughly 80,000 homes.
Photo courtesy Gary Energetics
 The benefits of wind farms are numerous. Not only will
the project provide $1.2 million in additional tax revenue to Huerfano County, it will
also create over 200 temporary construction jobs and 20 permanent jobs once operational.
The turbines are emission-free, protecting the environment from pollution caused by greenhouse
gases. A turbine can be placed on less than an acre and allows the farmer or rancher
to continue using the ground up to the base of the turbine. Environmental impacts are
limited with wildlife activity typically returning to normal after construction. Through
extensive research and study, wildlife impacts are mitigated by identifying areas of
migration and habitat. Wind farms are a way for people to receive the electricity and
power they need while preserving and protecting the earth in which we live. With the
support of residents and officials from Huerfano and Pueblo Counties, Gary Energetics,
along with Babcock & Brown, are excited to expand Colorado’s renewable energy production
through the Pole Canyon Wind Farm. For more information about Pole Canyon Wind and Gary Energetics, visit www.samgaryjr.com.
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• wind farm