State approves Dan’s Mountain WindForce project
The Maryland Public Service Commission approved earlier today to grant Dan’s Mountain WindForce a fast track through the regulatory review process.
The commission added a handful of conditions but wind energy spokesman Frank Maisano said in an e-mail that Dan’s Mountain WindForce must work with a local telecommunications provider to ensure there is no microwave interference on Dan’s Rock. In addition, the wind company must work with the state Department of Natural Resources.
The commission, which met today in Baltimore, conducted a public hearing at Frostburg State University in January to gather input on the industrial project, which could reach up to 29 wind turbines at full build-out. Administrative Judge Joel Bright explained the hearing’s purpose was to consider whether the safety and reliability of the grid system is not jeopardized.
If not, Bright said, the project would qualify for an exemption from the full regulatory review process. Bright noted at the time that the PSC’s ruling would not override or supersede local zoning restrictions.
Allegany County planning officials have refused to accept any permits that could result in an industrial wind energy facility, saying only they preferred to wait to see how the PSC ruled. Details on what happens next at the county level were not yet available.
The state commission’s ruling comes one day before the county commissioners are expected to introduce a code home rule bill that would lead to tighter restrictions on both industrial and residential wind turbines.
By Kevin Spradlin
11 March 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
Some possibly related stories:
- PSC grants wind farm exemption; Dan’s Mountain turbine project takes 'important step forward'
- County refusing wind energy permits
- County approves restrictions on industrial wind projects
- Dan’s Mountain property owner can speak for herself
- Public hearing on Dan's Mountain wind turbine proposal
- Report suggests quick adoption of wind turbine regs
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