State Land Department News & Information

State Land Department Partners in Arizona's
First Large-Scale Wind Project

(Phoenix, October 24, 2008) -- Today, the Arizona State Land Department approved the first renewable energy project to be sited on Arizona’s State Trust Lands. The Department partnered with IBERDROLA RENEWABLES and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on the Dry Lake Wind Project, which includes federal, state and private lands.
 
 The Dry Lake Wind Project will be located in Navajo County east of State Highway 377 and southwest of Interstate 40 near Snowflake. The project will be developed in phases, with the first phase including approximately 30 turbines that are expected to generate up to 63 megawatts of power. If fully developed, the project has the potential to generate more than 300 megawatts of power.
 
 "This is a great development in our continuing efforts to make Arizona a leader in renewable energy," Governor Napolitano said. "Welcoming a large-scale wind project to Arizona is especially exciting after I was able to announce the first large-scale solar facility in Arizona earlier this year. This builds on the progress we’ve made in other areas of renewable energy."
 
 “We are very excited to be part of the first large-scale wind energy project in Arizona,” said Arizona’s State Land Commissioner, Mark Winkleman. “Arizona has a vast resource in the 9.2 million acres of State Trust lands throughout the state. Renewable energy projects such as this are a great opportunity to not only help Arizona meet its renewable energy goals, but to also provide much-needed revenues for Arizona’s trust beneficiaries, primarily Arizona’s K-12 schools.”
 
 The proceeds from land sales and leases of State Trust lands go to the beneficiaries of the Permanent Fund, primarily Arizona Common Schools, supporting grades K-12. The Arizona State Land Department manages 9.2 million acres of Arizona State Trust Land. For more information about the State of Arizona Land Department visit www.land.state.az.us or call (602) 542-4621.