Utilities to study wind power’s potential

Could wind power be in Hutchinson Utilities’ future? A motion by the city-owned company’s governing board last week to begin a preliminary study is the first baby step toward that potential goal.

The Utilities Commission authorized a $26,000 study by Geronimo Wind Energy that will analyze the feasibility of Utilities pursuing construction of a wind turbine development in the Hutchinson area. The work will take about two or three months.

Included would be an assessment of flight paths leading to the city airport, a site selection analysis and look at wind resources at the possible site.

“When we talked last month, you decided it would be better if we broke the study into two parts,” General Manager Michael Kumm reminded the commission. “This is really the first phase of this study. If it shows wind makes sense in this area, we would go ahead with the second phase.”

For more, read the May 6 Leader.

(Terry Davis is a Hutchinson Leader staff writer. E-mail him at davis@hutchinsonleader.com.)