Wind Power News: Vermont
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Derby Line trustees seek info on wind project
The Derby Line Board of Trustees is waiting to decide whether to participate in the upcoming hearings on the Derby Line wind project. In the meantime, the trustees Tuesday said they wanted Village Clerk Karen Jenne to attend a meeting before state utility regulators next week and bring back information for the board. Jenne, who is also a Derby selectman, offered to attend the 1 p.m. pre-hearing conference Monday on behalf of both the town of Derby and the village . . .
Rebuttal to Avram Patt
I am writing in response to Avram Patt’s Opinion piece titled, “Wind farms: Large, visible … and necessary” published by VTDigger on Jan. 31, 2012. While Mr. Patt made some interesting points, there are issues in his piece that must be addressed. For example, he asserts that there is a one-to-one ratio between wind power generated and the reduction of power generated from other sources. There is no reliable data to support this assertion. Here in the New England grid . . .
Derby board argues about Derby Line wind project
The Derby Board of Selectmen will be represented at a meeting Monday before state regulators about the Derby Line wind project. But Selectman Karen Jenne, who opposes the project, won’t be speaking on behalf of the board. Jenne offered to represent selectmen’s interests at what’s called a pre-hearing conference before the Vermont Public Service Board in Montpelier. The board will look at the issues being raised by those interested in the project before figuring out a hearing schedule and inviting . . .
Wind farm debate continues to blow through Derby
DERBY- A Public Service Board (PSB) Pre-hearing Conference on the proposed Derby Wind Turbine development is scheduled for Feb. 13 in Montpelier. Derby Select Board member Karen Jenne asked the board if she could attend the meeting as a board member, but not all board members were comfortable with the idea. Jenne has expressed her opposition to the project and many residents have also contacted Jenne expressing their concerns with the proposal. Jenne has taken time to research the issues . . .
Killington to hear wind project proposal, department name change
KILLINGTON — Town officials have approved public questions for the Town Meeting ballot and tonight, they are back to usual town business. On tonight’s meeting agenda is a briefing on the proposed Grandpa’s Knob Wind Farm Project of the Castleton area for the Select Board. Also, town officials will consider a proposal for town road banners and the Economic Development and Tourism commission and department organizational policy and a name change for that department. Also on the agenda is a . . .
PSB OKs rate increases for renewables
BRATTLEBORO — Some projects that are part of the Vermont Sustainably Priced Energy Development Program received a boost from the Public Service Board last month when it increased the price-per-kilowatt hour from 24 to 27 cents. The price of small-wind power was raised from 21 to 25 cents. But the solar photo-voltaic projects that qualify for the price increase are still in development, said John Beling, the director of public advocacy for the Vermont Department of Public Service. “It will . . .
Groups protest statehouse to protect ridgelines
Montpelier, Vermont – People looking to put an end to mountain windmill projects took over the Vermont Statehouse, Thursday. They were found outside holding signs and playing music. FOX44 was there as they packed into the Statehouse hallways and jammed into committee rooms, trying to pass along this message. “We are calling for an immediate moratorium on further utility-scale wind development in our state,” said Energize Vermont Director of Communications Lukas Snelling. The group put up photos taken from the . . .
Exaggerating benefits of wind
I am writing in response to Avram Patt’s opinion piece that appeared in the Herald and Times Argus last week. While Mr. Patt made some interesting points, there are issues in his piece that must be addressed. For example, he asserts that there is a one-to-one ratio between wind power generated and the reduction of power generated from other sources. There is no reliable data to support this assertion. Here in the New England grid with the inefficient ramping of . . .
Lowell protesters win one
NEWPORT – Charges against the two Sterling College students arrested on Lowell Mountain were dismissed by Judge Robert Gerety, Jr. on Wednesday. The students, David Martorana and Trevor Ring, were charged with contempt of court after they were arrested Nov. 16 while climbing Lowell Mountain during times Green Mountain Power would be blasting for its wind turbine project. A preliminary Injunction was issued Nov. 1 that prohibited people from being within 1,000 feet of the blasting area during scheduled blast . . .
Energize Vermont calls for moratorium on wind farm development in Vermont
Lukas Snelling, executive director of Energize Vermont, warned a packed room at the Statehouse on Thursday that the environmental impacts of industrial scale wind are already apparent in Vermont. “The blasting on Lowell Mountain is happening,” Snelling said. “The blades above the houses in Sheffield are spinning. We have the ability to investigate the impacts of this industrial development on our ridges and take the time to determine if we should let this continue throughout the state.” Energize Vermont called . . .
