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.
Windham ridgeline project should be rejected
The current proposal to install approximately 40 wind turbines on the east ridge of the town of Windham is not only a violation of the democratically vetted and voted town plan, it also devastates the environment, undermines the economic security of our citizens, undercuts the increasing use of already available clean energy sources, and subverts efforts to build appropriately scaled sources of alternative energy. There may be not only economic security but also health issues involved. In concise fashion, the . . .
Landowner holds forum on wind project
WEST RUTLAND — A landowner who terminated his easement agreement with a wind project developer is hosting a public forum at 7 p.m. Monday at the West Rutland Town Hall. The event is hosted by Derek Saari, who last year pulled out of his agreement with Reunion Power, the developer of the proposed Grandpa’s Knob Wind Farm. According to Saari, the forum will focus on his experience and prior involvement with the project. He said he has invited the project’s . . .
Warren Planning Commission continues wind power discussion
When it comes to wind energy, “The Valley could be a leader,” Warren resident Dave Sellers said at the Warren Planning Commission meeting on Monday, May 13, detailing a history of innovation in the region as well as its geographic potential. “We have the resources to develop alternative energy,” he said. Sellers’ comments came as part of an ongoing discussion on wind energy in Warren, as the planning commission looks to amend its Town Plan to more specifically outline goals . . .
Wind study survives in Vermont Legislature
A $75,000 study of the impacts of wind turbines on Vermonters and their health survived negotiations at the end of this Legislative session. [rest of article available at source]
Cudnohufsky: The devastation of ridgeline turbine installations in New England
The absurdity of adding the equivalent of a roughly calculated 1,000 miles of additional New England interstate system on New England’s precious ridges is unconscionable. The reality is the current 2020 onshore wind energy goals for Massachusetts and the five New England states is exactly that, approximately 1,000 miles.
Additionally sobering are the additional clearing for access roads to the ridges, and the necessary clearing for new transmission lines, in total equal to or exceeding the cost and area of disturbance of the ridgeline turbines themselves.
Brighton landowner feels town ratted him out to PSB
BRIGHTON — The owner of thousands of acres of land being leased for the proposed Seneca Mountain Wind project complained to the Brighton Select Board last week about a letter the town recently sent to the Public Service Board. [rest of article available at source]
My Turn: It’s really about money
“It’s not easy being green.” Those immortal words spoken by Kermit the Frog keep running through my brain. Over the last few years the environmental concept of being green has been turned upside down here in Vermont. A term that once meant to protect the natural environment has now been usurped by power industries, politicians and activists to mean whatever they deem necessary to further their interest, regardless of the true reality. Ridgeline wind power — free energy, carbon neutral, . . .
At Lowell, Sheffield: DPS commissioner concerned about turbine noise
The Vermont Department of Public Service is collecting and investigating noise complaints caused by the three large wind projects in Vermont. DPS Commissioner Chris Recchia said Thursday that the amount and nature of the complaints warrant the investigation to see if the noise is creating a public nuisance for residents who live near the Georgia, Lowell and Sheffield wind projects. “I want to get to the bottom of this,” Recchia said. “It’s not what was expected.” He may take the . . .
News analysis — Power siting commission issues report
Opponents of big wind who have knocked heads with developers in front of the state Public Service Board (PSB), and lost, will find no magic bullet in the final report of the Governor’s Energy Generation Siting Policy Commission, which was released Tuesday. But they may find a few encouraging words. Developers of big wind projects will be relieved, if hardly surprised, that the commission would leave the permitting process in the hands of the PSB. It’s a process they’re familiar . . .
Commission’s goal is ‘empowering’ towns in power projects in Vermont
The Vermont Energy Generation Siting Policy Commission had a long name and a big task — to gauge the state’s effectiveness and openness in deciding where power projects should be built. But the commission didn’t have much time — just six months — to sort through those complicated and contentious issues. And member Tom Bodett, appointed in mid-November after the commission’s work was under way, had even less time. But the Dummerston resident said he’s satisfied with a final report . . .
