Sheffield wind opponents vow to continue fight
Credit: John Dillon, Vermont Public Radio, www.vpr.net 3 June 2011 ~~
(Host) Opponents of a wind project in Sheffield say they will continue their legal challenge, despite a loss this week at the state Supreme Court.
FirstWind based in Boston wants to build 16 turbines in the Northeast Kingdom town. The company won approval from the Public Service Board in 2007 but has faced appeals over water quality permits.
The opponents also asked the state Supreme Court to block construction while the appeals are pending. But the court this week denied the request.
Lawyer Stephanie Kaplan represents neighbors who are fighting the wind development. She had filed photos with the court that opponents said showed that streams were damaged by the construction.
(Kaplan) It’s quite amazing and disappointing to see what’s going on to the mountain and to the waters and to see that the Supreme Court just doesn’t – it’s of no concern to the court.
(Host) But proponents of wind energy say this was a good week for the renewable energy projects.
In addition to the Sheffield ruling, the Public Service Board approved a proposal for 21 turbine project on Lowell Mountain. The board also advanced a smaller project planned for Georgia Mountain in Milton.
