Dear Citizens of Union,
At the January 7, 2011 Council meeting, the Union City Council approved a resolution supporting the benefits in a revised Strategic Investment Program (SIP) Agreement that mitigates the City's principle concerns with the Antelope Ridge Wind Farm. The agreement was approved by a 4-2 vote. A subsequent motion approving a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Horizon Wind Energy, formalizing the City's commitment to work with Horizon Wind Energy in good faith, passed unanimously
A press release was subsequently released, which can be found here.
Meeting materials relating to this topic from the January 7, 2011 Council vote are included on this page. The signed MOA can be found here and the Resolution can be found here.
Below you will find a statement read by the City during the meeting.
Union City Council makes difficult decisions among conflicting wants and desires, both short-term and long-term. Energy policy is not one of them. Union City Council cannot stop the proposed Antelope Ridge Wind Power Project. What Council and the people of Union can do is work together to change local and State policy, which Union's elected officials fully intend to follow through with. As elected officials, Council is responsible for leadership decisions in a world with limited boundaries. These decisions are based on what is essential to the entire community, especially in the long-term.
Several unsuccessful attempts were made to mitigate our concerns directly with the developer. Several meetings with the Oregon Department of Energy resulted in learning that our concerns are ones that are not justifiable under the State of Oregon sitting process. With a mediator selected by the City and in a good faith effort, Horizon Wind and Union County worked with the city to mitigate our four concerns, property values, tourism, view shed and health. Over the course of 15 years, the City of Union along with other organizations in Union will receive around 2-million dollars to help offset local impacts, if the project is sited.
The proposed project is extremely large in size, anticipated impacts on local public services is likely to happen. Therefore in July the Energy Facility Sitting Council approved the City's request to carryout public service impact studies in Union. The city has been allowed to spend up to $50,000 to complete the studies. ECONorthwest out of Eugene will focus on the following categories, fire, ambulance, police and traffic. Depending on the results of these studies will depend if there will be further mitigation with Horizon Wind.
City of Union takes no position as to whether or not this project or any wind project is valuable energy policy or is an appropriate project for Union County. Meanwhile the work is not done. It is going to take a community to change local and State laws. You are encouraged to contact local representatives, Federal and State Legislators. As individuals of Union you can still proceed with your concerns. Contact information will be available on the City website or a list can be picked up at City Hall.
Attached Documents: