Jan 5 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Ray Scherer St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.
The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska will attempt to construct what may
be the first wind energy project on American Indian soil in Kansas.
The tribe will work with Enertech of Newton, Kan., on plans to install wind
generators in the summer. Tribal officials said the system is estimated to
save from $120,000 to $150,000 annually.
Enertech has been in the wind industry business since the 1970s.
A second company, WindLogics of St. Paul, Minn., will assist with the
installation. WindLogics uses archived weather data to assist landowners,
developers and utilities in identifying, building and operating successful
wind plants. The firm employs more than 50 meteorologists, computer
scientists and support staff, and has conducted more than 1,000 wind
resource analysis projects throughout the world.
The tribe's land is located in Brown County in Kansas and Richardson County
in Nebraska.
Wastewater project
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded an $184,000 grant
to the Platte County Regional Sewer District as part of a state Clean Water
Initiative.
The district will use the funds to build a wastewater collection system. The
money will be used in conjunction with state loan funds. The project is
estimated at more than $2.8 million.
The DNR's Water Protection Program administers the Clean Water Initiative.
Jail plans proceed
Three appraisers have been appointed by a judge to determine the fair market
value of land where Brown County officials hope to build a new jail.
District Court Judge John Weingart also ruled the county can exercise
eminent domain to acquire property for the jail. Eminent domain allows
governments to acquire land for projects deemed suitable for the public
interest. County officials were unable to reach a purchase agreement with
all affected landowners.
Voters approved a half-cent sales tax in November, authorizing $4.4 million
in bonds to finance the 41-bed jail.
Ray Scherer can be reached
at rscherer@npgco.com.
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