By Scott Buffon | Arizona Daily Sun
A new wind energy power plant south of Winslow will be built on the border of Coconino County and Navajo County, and is vying to be a part of the state’s transition into a clean energy future.
The 477-megawatt Chevelon Butte Wind Farm is proposed by sPower, a Utah-based company, and could build turbines that will be some of the largest structures in the state. The wind farm would join three other wind farms in Arizona, two of which are in northern Arizona. Arizona Public Service, which announced last week its plan to transition into 100% carbon-free by 2050 and 45% renewable energy sources by 2030, currently receives 12% of its energy from clean energy sources such as wind and solar.
The Utah-based company’s proposal was unanimously approved by Navajo County, the Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission and the Arizona Corporation Commission that oversees APS. The proposal, which faced some small public opposition, will be built on the Chevelon Butte Ranch owned by the third-generation O’Haco family 20 miles south of Winslow. The owner plans to use the leasing agreement to help sustain their ranching operation
