Washington Wind Project to Create Jobs

Plans to build 800 wind turbines in Washington State’s Garfield and Columbia counties would create 75 permanent positions and hundreds of construction jobs, according to the state Employment Security Department.

The Lower Snake River Wind Energy Project would generate between up to 200 construction jobs while the wind towers are being installed.

The 75 permanent positions would likely be filled by residents of Garfield and Columbia counties. Garfield County’s work force is 780, while Columbia County’s is about 1,260.

Plans call for the project to bring 440 turbines to Garfield County and 355 turbines to Columbia County.