Ames Today

Apex Clean Energy hopes to begin the construction of wind turbines in Boone County by 2021 or earlier as part of its "Great Pathfinder Wind Project" that will invest in wind energy and boost the economy. 

"A wind farm will bring a great stream of tax revenue for the city, the county, for roads and schools," Max Jabrixio, public engagement manager with Apex Clean Energy, recently told Boone News-Republican.

Boone County, along with Hamilton County, was selected for the wind project after the South Carolina company examined the area and verified it had wind resources, existing high-voltage power lines, expansive private land and proximity to state highways, GreatPathFinderWind.Com cites. 

The completed wind farm would produce up to 225 megawatts of total energy, which is enough to power up to 85,230 U.S. homes, GreatPathFinderWind.Com cites. It would also create up to 200 local construction jobs and 15 to 20 full-time jobs for operations and maintenance. 

"Wind energy comes with many benefits, including reduced pollution, increased domestic employment, consumer cost savings, water conservation, nationwide availability, and increased community revenues," GreatPathFinderWind.Com cites. "Wind turbines compliment working farms, because they allow for existing agricultural operations to continue around them. They also help farmers by diversifying the rural economy and providing a consistent, drought-resistant new harvest."

Apex Energy has been developing proposals that incentivize Boone landowners to voluntarily lease private lands for the wind turbines to be constructed. Although the company has been working for years to obtain lease agreements, construction can't begin until it also obtains permits for construction from Boone. The company typically has third party financiers to assist in the projects, but a financial partner for the Boone project has not been decided yet. 

Apex Energy plans to start the permitting process this year and begin construction by the next year. Depending on the weather, the project would be completed 10 to 15 months after construction begins.