North American Windpower: Idaho Governor Signs Two Bills That Encourage Wind Power

Idaho Governor Signs Two Bills That Encourage Wind Power

by NAW Staff Thursday March 22 2007

Gov. C. L. Otter, R-Idaho, recently signed two bills into law to encourage the development of wind energy in Idaho.

The first, House Bill 130, clears the way for wind farms on state endowment lands. Royalties received from wind power generation will benefit Idaho schools. The second, House Bill 189, restructures the method of personal property taxation to ease the burden on Idaho wind farms in the early years of operation.

"We greatly appreciate the support of Governor Otter and legislators in both houses for this important legislation, which will facilitate the growth of wind energy in Idaho's rural counties," says Rich Rayhill, vice president of Ridgeline Energy, which drafted and carried both bills. "It will help attract new investment capital, bring new wind farms online sooner, diversify the state's energy base and reduce our reliance on foreign sources of energy."

According to Ridgeline, these bills add to previous renewable energy legislation - also sponsored by the company - that was enacted in 2005.

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