Weld County approves 197-foot MET tower permit for Chalk Bluffs Wind LLC

Weld County commissioners voted Nov. 5 to approve an agreement allowing Chalk Bluffs Wind LLC to install a 197-foot meteorological (MET) tower for up to seven years as part of wind-resource measurement for a potential future project.

Diane Hanks of Planning Services explained the request on behalf of Chalk Bluffs Wind LLC (care of Annual Renewable Energy). "MET towers are freestanding towers that measure conditions like wind speed, temperature, and precipitation," Hanks said, and staff recommended acceptance of the agreement and $7,000 in collateral to cover decommissioning and site remediation if the company fails to complete removal. Hanks said the County Attorney's Office reviewed the agreement and found it acceptable and that detailed project locations were provided in the staff packet.

Commissioner Scott James moved approval and Commissioner Kevin Ross seconded; the board voted 'aye' and Contract ID 10024 was approved. Hanks said the tower's general location is in the northwest corner of the county and that the packet contains specific site coordinates. The collateral was provided by a check drawn on Wells Fargo Bank.

The approval permits data collection to inform future decisions about siting and development of a wind project; no construction of turbines or additional project approvals were recorded at this meeting. Next steps for the company include tower installation and subsequent data collection per the terms of the agreement.