Hearings continue on wind turbines
COLUMBUS — A second day of testimony before the Ohio Power Siting Board today, Nov. 10, saw an attorney for the Urbana Country Club and the Champaign County prosecutor closely question an executive with the company seeking to build as many as 70 electricity-generating wind turbines in eastern Champaign County.
Prosecutor Nick A. Selvaggio questioned Chris Shears, vice president of development for the company, Everpower, about how proposed setbacks could effect future developments in the area.
The prosecutor also noted the turbines will likely provide benefits to landholders involved in the project as well as help preserve farmland in the county. But Selvaggio questioned Shears on whether non-participating landowners would be able to develop their land in the future because of required setbacks once the turbines are in place.
Questions about the setback is an important one for the future of development in the county, Shears said, adding that his company tried to strike a balance when applying for permits to build the turbines.
“I appreciate there’s a balance to be struck here between these competing interests and we believe we struck that balance,” he said.
Early in the day, Daniel Brown, an attorney for the Urbana Country Club, questioned Shears about the effect of the turbine’s collection lines, shadows and the companies plans to expand beyond 70 turbines.
Collection lines are used to move the power generated from by the turbines to a substation before it is added into the electricity grid. Brown has also questioned Shears on the effects of shadow flicker on the club, which is near where some of the turbines would be built.
Shadow flicker is the effect created when turbines rotate in front of the sun, causing fast-moving shadows on the ground.
Browns also questioned whether Everpower has any plans to request additional turbines in the futures. Shear said while the company has secured additional leases there are no immediate plans to begin an additional project.
Everpower is proposing the Buckeye Wind Project which would construct about 70 turbines around eastern Champaign County. Testimony is expected to go all week and possibly into next week.
By Matt Sanctis
Staff Writer
Springfield News-Sun
10 November 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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