Residents frustrated with lack of wind energy regulation
CUMBERLAND — It was just a whisper, voiced from exasperation and, perhaps, an acknowledgment of defeat. “We don’t matter.”
Two Allegany County residents told members of the Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday that certainly seemed to be the case. They spoke of the planned 25-unit wind turbine project atop Dan’s Mountain by Dan’s Mountain Wind Force LLC, a subsidiary of Pennsylvania-based U.S. Wind Force LLC.
Darlene Park, who lives in the Harwood subdivision, said she appreciated board members taking steps to tighten what are admittedly lax standards in regards to industrial wind turbines. It was a good beginning, she said of the proposed zoning text amendments, but “not good enough.”
Park was joined by Andrea Baker, whose family is building a home in the subdivision, and retired wildlife biologist and “lifelong conservationist” David Trauger, a Harwood subdivision resident since 2002.
All three supported the Planning Commission’s proclamation of a moratorium, which would effectively ban any commercial wind energy facility until more facts are known about the pros and cons of the wind energy industry.
“We are trying to address the problems,” said Wes McKee, board attorney, “that were handed to us by the state. We’re trying to make it more restrictive.”
McKee spoke of legislation passed by state lawmakers that streamlined the public participation process — and regulatory guidelines — for projects under a certain megawatt. The Dan’s Mountain project, based on its size, would qualify for expedited approval and lack public input, although company officials have indicated a willingness to meet with the people before turbines are built.
While that effort is in process, however, Dan’s Mountain Wind Force LLC continues to move forward with its project. Phil Hager, county planning coordinator, said it could take up to five more months to modify the zoning code to place any limitations on residential or commercial wind energy devices.
Park expressed frustration about the process. She first went before the Planning Commission, which told her to address the county commissioners. Last month, the commissioners told Park they couldn’t help her – that the Planning Commission was the place to seek help.
“There has to be a stop where the people can go,” Park said.
Said McKee, “I agree with you. What’s in place now doesn’t protect you at all.”
Bill Duvall, Planning Commission chairman, said his board had no authority to issue a moratorium. Park asked if they could recommend such action to the county commissioners. McKee said yes — then others questioned whether the county commissioners had authority to issue such a ban.
“What can we do?” Park asked.
Said Duvall, “I wish to God I could tell you.”
Park said Duvall’s position was “very disheartening.”
“Our hearts may go out to you, but our hands are tied,” Duvall said.
Not every resident who spoke on the issue was against turbines. Rick Lashbaugh of Viewpoint Lane in Frostburg owns a home “in the middle of the Dan’s Mountain project” and said wind turbines should have been built 10 years ago.
Lashbaugh said nearby communities such as Mount Storm, W.Va., and Meyersdale, Pa., have turbines and are seeing the benefits of them in terms of increased tax revenue to the county and job growth.
“I wonder why we have to reinvent the wheel,” Lashbaugh said, noting the information about migratory bird patterns and environmental and economic impacts is available in other jurisdictions. “Nothing will ever come to this county” with increased regulation.
“We desperately need industry,” Lashbaugh said. “We need it more than a railroad and a bicycle trail.”
As for wind turbines, “the pluses outweigh the minuses,” he said, as 25 turbines could generate new jobs and some $350,000 a year in increased tax revenue to the county.
A public hearing on the issue is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at the County Office Complex. Hager encouraged anyone with an opinion on the issue to speak at the meeting.
Kevin Spradlin
7 October 2008
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