 FAQ:
ABOUT SUNSHINE
How much green electricity will Sunshine Wind
Park produce and where will it go?
On average, Sunshine Wind will produce an amount of electricity equal to approximately two thirds of the average annual needs of Flagstaff's residences , or about 14,000 homes.
The electricity generated by Sunshine Wind Park will enter the transmission grid between Flagstaff and Winslow and will primarily flow to these towns and other northern Arizona power users.
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What was required for the Sunshine Wind project
to be approved?
Foresight has secured a Conditional Use Permit from Coconino County for Sunshine Wind Park. The permitting process included extensive scientific, engineering and economic studies, These studies show that:
- Sunshine Wind will provide significant environmental benefits.
- Sunshine Wind will supply a substantial, meaningful amount
of clean energy.
- This is an appropriate location to site a wind project
- This is a low-impact project that will not pose a significant hazard to birds or other animals, or the ecosystem of the Colorado Plateau.
- Sunshine Wind will help, not hurt, the local economy.
back to top Why was this location chosen for the Sunshine project?
The project location offers a unique combination of characteristics. This location offers:
- Class 3 wind resources as confirmed by nearly 2 years of on-site wind data
- Low-cost interconnect to a 69 kilovolt APS transmission line
- Flat, desert scrub landscape conducive to wind park siting
- Opportunities for mixed land use - grazing, agriculture and
wind energy
- Opportunities for wind park participation by land owners
- Minimal impacts to plant, animal and avian species as indicated
by preliminary assessments.
- The area has been used primarily for grazing activities, is
disturbed by the I-40 corridor and existing telecommunications
towers, and has a low population density.
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What organizations and other entities have expressed support for the Sunshine project?
- Coconino County Board of Supervisors
- Coconino County Planning & Zoning Commission
- William Mundell, Arizona Corporation Commission
- The Hopi Tribe
- City of Winslow
- Greater Flagstaff Economic Council
- Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce
- Diablo Trust
- Grand Canyon Trust
- Sierra Club
- Friends of Flagstaff's Future
- Northern Arizona Builders Association
- Northern Arizona University Engineering Faculty
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What lighting will be required on the wind
turbines?
Sunshine Wind is working with the Federal Aviation Administration
to determine exactly what lighting will be needed for aviation
safety while maintaining the least impact.
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What is the significance of government subsidies
to Sunshine Wind?
The US congress provides federal Production Tax Credit for wind power to encourage private sector investment in the development of clean, non-polluting renewable energy. The Sunshine Wind Park may utilize this credit.
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Will Sunshine affect tourism in the area?
Recent experience and empirical studies of wind farms in the US and Europe demonstrate that modern wind farms positively affect tourism. New technology is often a tourist attraction. The Bonneville Dam, for example, still attracts visitors after a half a century of operation. A visitor center may be located at Sunshine Wind Park so visitors traveling I-40 can learn about renewable energy. The Sunshine Wind Park will serve as a symbol and stand as a gateway to the Flagstaff area, demonstrating the region's commitment to a clean environment and enjoyment of nature.
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