A wind turbine project to supply electricity to Fort Hays State University has been approved by the Ellis County Commission. The conditional use permit was granted contingent on the university’s contractor providing required plans such as transportation and decommissioning.

The university needed CUP approval in order to bid the project.

Commissioner Glenn Diehl asked if the university would work with area residents if there were any problems. Fort Hays State Representative Todd Powell said the university wants to be good neighbors. The closest resident is over 2,000 feet away.

The university projects that the two turbines located south and west of the campus could produce 97-percent of the school’s electrical needs.