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GREAT FALLS (AP) - A Texas developer has applied with the state Department of Environmental Quality to build a 33- to 40-mile transmission line and a substation for a wind farm he wants to build northwest of Glasgow.

"We are in the midst of the environmental impact study," said Jon Chafin, owner and manager of Wind Hunter LLC based in Grapevine, Texas. "We hope to have the first phase of the project up and running by the end of 2006."

Chafin has agreed to pay DEQ expenses for the study and is putting up $25,000 initially, said Tom Ring with the DEQ's Facilities Siting Section.

Chafin said the project could generate 300 to 500 megawatts on 10,000 acres about 30 miles northwest of Glasgow. He has leased state, federal and private land for the project and transmission.

"It has the potential of being the largest (wind power) project in Montana," he said.

The planned wind project at Judith Gap, by comparison, would produce 135 to 150 megawatts of electricity and have 75 to 100 turbines.

The first phase of the Valley County project would generate 50 megawatts.

Chafin said his company has an agreement with the Western Area Power Administration to use power lines on the Hi-Line. However, the transmission lines will need to be updated before additional power is transmitted.

Earlier this month, NorthWestern Energy announced it would buy electricity from the wind farm planned in rural Wheatland County. Chicago-based Invenergy Wind LLC will build, own and operate the facility south of Judith Gap.

Wind Hunter LLC does not yet have a contract to sell its power, Chafin said.

Chafin said Wind Hunters LLC is pursuing other wind opportunities in central and northwestern Montana.

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