Avista gets permits for wind monitors

Energy utility Avista is putting up a pair of meteorological towers to measure how much wind blows around Palouse.

The company received building permits from Whitman County Dec. 1 to construct two 60-meter met towers near Palouse. The towers were valued at $18,550 each.

Avista Spokesperson Anna Scarlett said the company has been putting up met towers to measure wind resources across the Inland Empire in case it needs to build a wind farm.

“It’s part of our ongoing efforts to find more wind power resources,” said Scarlett. “We know we’re going to have to integrate more wind into our portfolio.”...