Ground breaking set for wind farm

LIND — Work is set to start in March on the Rattlesnake Flat wind farm.

The project is being developed by Clearway Energy Group.

Project development director Nick Benjamin said recently that mobilization will begin around March 1, with trucks arriving before March 5.

Rattlesnake Flat is a 16.45 megawatt wind project to be constructed near Phillips Road.

Blattner Energy will build the project. It’s the third that Blattner is building for Clearway, Benjamin said.

Avista and Clearway have agreed to a deal that will see Avista purchasing the energy for 20 years.

An Avista spokesman said the farm will provide enough energy to power up to 37,600 homes.

Adams County Economic Development Director Stephen McFadden said the benefits the project brings are plentiful.

The project is expected to produce up to 250 temporary construction jobs and 10 permanent, high-skilled, high-wage jobs.

Additionally, the project is expected to generate $1.6 million in the first year and over $850,000 a year for the 20-year term of the project.

Tax money will go to 18 entities in the county, including three parks and recreation districts, two fire districts, the Lind, Ritzville and Washtucna school districts and several other services.