Natural gas power plants on zone hearing agenda

Changes to Whitman County zoning laws that would allow development of natural gas power plants will be the topic of a public hearing before county commissioners Sept. 10.

Planner Alan Thomson said he has spoken with energy production companies about the possibility of building gas power plants in Whitman County to augment electricity produced by the Palouse Wind farm currently under construction on Naff Ridge between Oakesdale and Rosalia.

“There are no plans, as of yet,” said Thomson. “This is just something that is not expressly allowed in our current code or (comprehensive) plan.”

Several reciprocating engine gas power plants are in operation throughout the U.S., said Thomson.

They are often used to supplement wind-powered electricity because they can be fired up and turned off in minutes, Thomson explained. When winds don’t produce enough electricity, the gas generator kicks in.

If a company wanted to build such a plant in Whitman County, it may face challenges because wording in the current code does not specifically allow their construction.

Those plants are normally situated near natural gas pipelines, several of which run through Whitman County.

TransCanada has a major pipeline which enters Whitman County near Rosalia and runs south just to the west of the Palouse Wind project. A booster station for the pipeline is located just north of Rosalia on Babb Road.

The changes would make construction of a gas power plant a conditional use. Whitman County’s planning commission approved the code change Aug. 1.

Several other changes to zoning regulations are also on the docket for a public hearing Sept. 10.

One would allow owners of residential properties in the Pullman-Moscow Corridor zone to build accessory dwelling units, in the mode of mother-in-law suites, on their property.

Accessory dwellings are allowed to be built in other zones, like the ag district, but are not currently allowed in the corridor. Thomson said he noticed the inconsistency in a review of the code. He has not received requests for the change from any landowners.

Another change would allow property owners to short plat parcels to separate farm buildings like grain bins and machine sheds from their residential property.