Dignitaries visited northern Arizona on Monday to dedicate the state’s first wind farm, which sends power to Salt River Project customers in the Valley when the wind blows on the turbines between Holbrook and Snowflake. 

The Dry Lake Wind Power Project has 30 wind turbines standing more than 400 feet tall, catching every breeze of 7 mph or greater and turning it into pollution-free electricity.  

“The successful completion of this vital project reflects the concerns we all share – nationally, regionally and locally – about the critical energy challenges facing communities across the United States,” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said. “This strategy will also help us reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to address climate change, while creating green jobs around the nation.”

The project employed about 200 construction workers in the past year and will have about 10 full-time workers.

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