Draft ordinance would require proven turbine technology, fire suppression and lightning protection

County staff proposed specific technology and quality-control requirements for wind-energy projects intended to minimize the risk of equipment failure and to ensure predictable emergency response.

The draft requires turbines and system components to comply with recognized international standards and to have been used on at least two projects of 25 megawatts or greater within roughly 250 miles and operational for at least five years before a permit is submitted. Staff also added provisions that turbines be equipped with lightning-protection technology intended to prevent equipment damage or ignition, and an on-site fire suppression system that is "capable of detecting and extinguishing a fire" and preventing spread to surrounding property; operations-and-maintenance plans must describe safety protocols for staff working around suppression equipment.

A supervisor suggested adding detection language explicitly to the fire-suppression requirement; staff agreed that adding detection would clarify expectations. Supervisors also discussed aircraft-detection lighting systems as a required feature where FAA approval permits.