Wind energy address in Bath's plan
In the Bath County Comprehensive Plan, the Virginia Renewables Site Scoring System is described as a tool for counties, regions and communities to assist them in evaluating land in a quantitative fashion as they consider potential wind and solar power projects.
However, the comprehensive plan also indicates the importance of having Bath County set its own guidelines concerning renewable energy resources. “While Bath County intends to examine and consider all sites labeled as suitable for renewable energy development by the VRS3, it is also important for our county to set our own guidelines for how Bath County’s renewable energy resources should or could be developed,” the plan states.
Those who want to harness Bath’s renewable energy resources, the plan says, should first have to meet requirements to ensure the size and scale of their projects are compatible with Bath County’s community vision as expressed in the comprehensive plan. A primary goal of the plan is protecting scenic view sheds and Bath’s rural character, and thus, these factors should be an integral part of any review process for renewable energy facilities.
“Bath County recognizes that there are logical and powerful arguments on both sides of all the various issues (concerning wind energy). Those who are both in favor of and against the development of largescale renewable energy facilities are very passionate and committed in their beliefs. As a result, public discourse over the issues surrounding renewable energy development should be encouraged so that all issues can be examined openly,” it says.
The plan notes it is not Bath County’s intent to take a final position, but to assure all factors are considered and efforts are made to “protect that which is most dear” when the county is asked to evaluate proposals for large-scale projects.
Bath County is one of 20 counties in Virginia that has been identified as a Priority 1 location for potential wind development, and the plan indicates the county cannot, therefore, avoid a discussion of the issues associated with wind power. “The county seeks to proactively plan for a fair, reasoned, and logical approach to decision-making with regard to proposals that may come forward for the installation of large-scale wind facilities,” the plan states.
Overlays of extra local controls and conditions may be required for land areas designated by the county as having potential for wind energy development, according to the comprehensive plan. Specific requirements should be applied based on the level and scale of development.
Examples of possible local controls cited in the plan include:
¦ Construction noise, dust, access road cuts, land clearing and work schedule.
¦ Erosion and sediment control and stormwater.
¦ Structural style, color and advertising.
¦ Auxiliary buildings, transmission lines, access roads, parking areas, repair areas, boneyards and blade storage.
¦ Any necessary noise controls once operational.
¦ Any interference with TV reception.
¦ Any shadows, flicker or strobe.
¦ Lighting — color, blinking and number.
¦ Ice throws.
¦ Lightning strikes.
¦ Broken blades.
¦ Safety zones/setbacks.
¦ Spillage areas.
¦ Repair/maintenance and operation schedules.
¦ Technology upgrades.
Where possible, the plan states, minimum levels of acceptable conditions and operational requirements, including obligations and procedures for removal of unused and/ or abandoned structures or facilities associated with the project should be established. Where that is not possible, guidance should be provided by general standards approved in advance by the county.
Other issues cited as needing to be addressed in the review process include:
¦ Potential impacts on the local economy — including local property and sales tax revenues, the number of construction jobs created locally, the number and pay scale of operational jobs created locally and the potential for indirect economic activity in the local community.
¦ Potential impacts on property values.
¦ Potential impacts on tourism and other businesses.
¦ Potential impacts on historic and architectural resources.
¦ Potential impacts on visual resources/viewsheds.
The comprehensive plan notes there are additional issues important to the county that may not be able to be addressed at the local level or are not under local control or land use authority.
These could include potential for adverse impacts on wildlife, avian or bat species and potential for and the actual amount of emissions reduction.
“While scenic resources are a key element of Bath County’s economy and quality of life, it is important that the county not dismiss the possibilities offered by wind development over the primary concern of viewshed,” the plan states. “Specific policies relating to the location and placement of wind facilities should be established before applications are received so that everyone involved will understand the playing field and what is expected of them.”
The comprehensive plan recommends:
¦ Bath County should identify and establish “wind development” overlay zones indicating the levels of wind development that may be permitted or conditionally permitted for each area of the county. Any areas where all levels of wind development will be prohibited should also be identified. Upon its completion, the county should review the results of the VRS3 to identify potential locations, if any, where large-scale development zones may be conditionally considered.
¦ Language should be added by ordinance amendment or policy specifically spelling out siting and permitting criteria for all levels of the wind development zones.
¦ In order to ensure sound decision-making, the county should require applicants to obtain all required federal and state permits and approvals in advance of submission of an application to the county and retain a consultant with expertise in large-scale wind facility siting to negotiate county interests with developers and advise the county in the review and consideration process.
¦ Written legal agreements should be obtained binding all parties to the conditions for construction, operation and removal of the large-scale facilities throughout the term of any special use permit issued and throughout subsequent permit renewals.
Fully adequate bonding levels should also be required.
The Bath County Comprehensive Plan can be viewed at county offices or online at www.bathcountyva.org. The section dealing with wind energy is on pages 53-57.
By Mike Bollinger
Staff Writer
7 August 2008
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