Florida extends Hoosac wind permit
FLORIDA, Mass. — The Selectmen granted another two-year extension on Monday, Dec. 7, on the special permit for a controversial wind-power project.
A public hearing on the extension for Iberdrola Renewables Inc. of Portland, Ore., developers of the Hoosac Wind Energy project, drew about a dozen residents who questioned Iberdrola representatives about the legal swamp that’s stalled the project.
The State Appeals Court is expected to rule on an appeal by a group of residents and state environmentalists over Superior Court Justice Frank M. Gaziano’s ruling earlier this year upholding a permit granted the project by the Department of Environmental Protection. Gaziano found the DEP followed correct procedures when granting New England Wind LLC a permit for the 20-turbine project. A decision is expected by the middle of 2010.
Planning for the $45 million Hoosac Wind Project began in 2003 and the first permits were granted in 2004 to construct the 30-megawatt installation on Bakke Mountain in Florida and Crum Hill in Monroe. While the town overwhelmingly supported the energy project, abuttors and local environmentalist group Green Berkshires have been fighting the wetlands permit granted by DEP since early 2005.
Iberdrola, formerly PPM Energy Inc., has twice before asked for extensions on the town permit.
The Selectmen also approved a block-grant application to the Department of Energy Resources to provide funds for solar-renewable projects for hot water and electricity for the Senior Center and electricity for the Town Offices and annual liquor licenses for Whitcomb Summit and Martin’s General Store.
Discussion also included the completion of the $50,000 Gabriel Abbott Memorial School acquisition of adjacent land; possible appointments to a local board, and a couple of loose-dog complaints by residents.
— Kathy Keeser
23 December 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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