Construction equipment is ready to be installed at Palouse Wind. Those giant wind turbines that line ridges across the Northwest have brought green energy and construction jobs to many rural areas. But some of those jobs could disappear next year.
credit:
Courtney Flatt
Ben Fairbanks (left) and Aaron Pedigo wear yellow safety vests after returning from the Palouse Wind construction site. They say construction will be finished at the site in the next few weeks.
credit:
Courtney Flatt
Some turbines are up and running at Palouse Wind farm. This allows workers to make sure all the kinks are worked out before the entire project goes online.
credit:
Courtney Flatt
A bladeless turbine is ready for a crane to attach blades on it. Construction crews must wait to attach the blades if it's too windy.
credit:
Courtney Flatt
A bulldozer begins to clean up the construction site underneath a turbine. Farmers can plant crops under the turbines. After construction, the turbine's footprint will be a 40-foot diameter will.