Wild Horse Wind Project

Wind energy is becoming an increasingly important component of electricity production in the United States. In the Pacific Northwest, wind farms have been constructed in several locations in Washington and Oregon, including the Columbia Gorge (where the towers are just out of sight of the scenic area), along the Washington-Oregon border near Walla Walla, and in central Washington. Each of the giant towers, about 330 feet tall, requires several specialized tractor trailers to transport them to the construction site. Some people living near the wind farms are concerned about the impact on their views, but in general the installations are seen as positive.

The Wild Horse Wind Project, photographed in April and May 2008, is located on Whiskey Dick Mountain between Ellensburg and Vantage, Washington and is owned and operated by Puget Sound Energy. There is a visitor’s center on the ridge.