Franchise hearing set for Palouse Wind

Whitman County will conduct a hearing on granting a franchise to Palouse Wind to install an electrical transmission system along and across county roads.

Palouse Wind is a subsidiary of Boston-based First Wind, created to develop a wind farm in Whitman County.

Palouse Wind has received conditional permission from county planning officials to build a 9,000 acre, 65-turbine wind farm on Naff Ridge, Steam Shovel Hill and Granite Butte in north central Whitman County.

Public Works Director Mark Storey explained the county is required to grant a franchise to utilities to lay infrastructure. The agreement identifies areas which cable and poles can be placed in right-of-ways along county roads.

Full text of the franchise agreement will be available for review before a public hearing by county commissioners Oct. 17 at 10:30 a.m.