Apex Clean Energy Signs Memorandum of Agreement with U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Navy for Searchlight Wind
LAs Vegas, NV – February 20, 2015 – Apex Clean Energy today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy, which acknowledges that the Searchlight Wind energy project will not degrade the aviation and sensor test program at their China Lake, California base.
“I am pleased that we were able to reach an agreement with Apex that protects critical navy research and development activities from impacts created by wind turbines.” stated Rick Quade, Navy’s Deputy for Test and Evaluation with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. “The Navy’s agreement to implement mitigations and Apex’s commitment to curtail operations for up to 300 hours per year will allow vital navy tests to occur without interference. This was key to reaching this win-win solution.”
“I commend the Navy and Apex for reaching this important agreement. Their commitment to progress on the Searchlight Wind Project will help Nevada realize its clean energy future,” said Senator Harry Reid. “I pushed strongly for the creation of the Defense Department’s Siting Clearinghouse, which was instrumental in reaching this agreement, because I was concerned that renewable energy project developers were spending millions of dollars on permitting without certainty that their projects would not disrupt important national security activities. I hope the Searchlight Wind Project will soon create more good-paying jobs that will continue building Nevada’s clean energy leadership.”
The 200 MW Searchlight Wind facility is expected to offer significant short-term and long-term economic benefits to the rural community of Searchlight, Nevada. During construction, the project is anticipated to generate about $50.4 million for the area through the regional purchasing of supplies and materials, income, meals and housing, and other associated expenditures. During the 30-year operational life of the project, it is expected to generate an additional $75.9 million in regional purchasing and to create about 15 local, permanent jobs, offering millions of dollars in new wages.
“As a former Navy pilot, I understand the critical value of protecting our nation’s security interests, while we help accelerate the shift to clean electricity,” said Mark Goodwin, Apex president. “This agreement demonstrates Apex’s commitment to cooperating with our Department of Defense to build high-quality and safe energy facilities that are compatible with our nation’s military assets. It also further documents that it is possible for wind energy facilities to co-exist with military functions without adversely impacting mission.”
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About Apex Clean Energy
Apex Clean Energy is an independent renewable energy company focused on building utility-scale generation facilities. Apex is building one of the nation’s largest, most-diversified portfolios of renewable energy resources, capable of producing more than 10,000 MW of clean energy. Apex has announced more than 750 MW of power purchase agreements since 2013. In the coming year, Apex will bring five new U.S. wind energy facilities online, comprising more than 1,000 MW of capacity. Apex will provide asset management services on four of these facilities, representing more than 800 MW of capacity. For more information, visit www.apexcleanenergy.com.
Media Contact
Dahvi Wilson
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