Storey County officials want the public to tell the federal government what it thinks about a plan to build windmills on mountains north of Carson City and west of Virginia City.
Great Basin Wind started a two-year application process in December with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to build 69 windmills 210 feet to 330 feet tall in Storey County, Carson City and Washoe County.
The Reno-based business also has to get approval from the three local governments for the New Comstock Wind Energy Project that would power up to 192,000 homes. It is scheduled to go to the planning commissions in Storey County on Feb. 19, Carson City on Feb. 25 and Washoe County on March 3.
Storey County Manager Pat Whitten said he wants public comment so they can help screen the project for problems.
Many people have said the project would hurt tourism in historic mining towns including Virginia City, but Whitten said he also wants to hear from those who might support the project.
"No one person should make the decision how the county should feel about things," he said.
Most of the project would be in the National Historic District and about half would be in the Comstock Historic District.
The project could produce 192 megawatts of electricity with windmill blades 115 feet to 170 feet long.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management said plans for the project also include 15- to 40-foot wide access roads to the windmills and a five-mile transmission line connecting a new substation to an existing substation near Highway 50 east of Carson City.
Storey County staff said in a report that the project could affect many things valuable to the county.
Commissioner Bob Kershaw said he supports green energy in its proper place and that place is not near a historic town like Virginia City.
WHAT: Storey County Commission meeting
WHEN: 2 p.m. Tuesday
WHERE: District courtroom, 26 South B St., Virginia City
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