With a vote of 2-1, the Dickinson County Commissioners narrowly passed the approval of the conditional use permit for Hope Ridge Wind Farm. The approval allows Enel North America to proceed with the development of a wind farm in southeast Dickinson County.

The Commission meeting took place in Sterl Hall in Abilene, with a large crowd gathering, both in support and against the wind farm development. Lor Mendoza, Enel Development Director, answered questions from the Commissioners before their vote.

Residents were split between those for and against, with those opposing the wind farm wearing red and those for wearing green. The approval now brings the reality of the 95-square-mile wind farm one step closer.