PORT ANGELES — Clallam County Public Utility commissioners will discuss options concerning a proposed wind power project when they meet Tuesday.
No decisions were made on the project in Pacific County last week after Energy Northwest convened a meeting last Tuesday with representatives from four public utility districts that are considering an investment in the $122 million renewable energy project.
Clallam County PUD Power Supply and Utility Service Manager Fred Mitchell took part in the meeting with Energy Northwest and reported that no action was taken.
He will report to the three PUD commissioners at their next board meeting on Tuesday.
The Clallam PUD has a 15-percent stake in a partnership with the PUDs for Grays Harbor, Mason and Pacific counties.
Energy Northwest, a nonprofit consortium of power suppliers, is leading the Radar Ridge project near Naselle.
Up to 32 wind turbines towering 262 feet each are proposed for the sites on state Department of Natural Resources land.
The wind farm had attracted partners that will be required to obtain more renewable energy in the coming decade after the passage of a state ballot initiative in 2007.
But the project is snared in the pre-construction phase.
Costs have soared from $3 million to $5.2 million amid concerns that the turbines may pose a risk to wildlife like the endangered marbled murrelet.
The partners are hesitant to commit more money without a guarantee that they will get the permit they need for the project.
Grays Harbor PUD, a 49-percent partner, has already spent $845,250 on the scientific studies, and its commissioners voted May 17 to not spend an additional $1.4 million that Energy Northwest has requested.
“Energy Northwest will send a letter to the partnership later this week that gets specific on proposed adjustments to the budget,” said Jeff Beaman, Clallam County PUD spokesman, last week.