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.
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 . . .
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 . . .
Border town cool to wind project: Fears of noise, visual pollution
Holland, Vermont, which is adjacent to the town of Derby, and a stone’s throw from Derby Line, Vermont (and Stanstead, Quebec), has been anything but warm to the idea of having two giant wind turbines overlooking its territory. Like Derby and the smaller village of Derby Line, Holland is situated on the Canadian border, to the east of those two municipalities. According to the last census, the town, which has no villages of any significance, has a population of just . . .
Lowell wind: Students’ contempt charges dismissed
NEWPORT CITY — Judge Robert P. Gerety Jr. on Wednesday threw out the state’s contempt of court case against two Sterling College students who were involved in the protest against the Lowell wind project. Gerety said the students, Trevor Ring and David Martorana, had no way of knowing on Nov. 16 that they were about to be in contempt of a preliminary injunction banning anyone from being within a 1,000-foot blast safety zone at certain times. The students’ attorney, Kristina . . .
‘Ridges are not renewable day’: Film, experts call for pause in Big Wind development
Thursday’s ‘Ridges Are Not Renewable Day’: Film, Experts Call For Pause in Big Wind Development Experts to Testify, “Impacts Need to be Assessed Before Development Continues” On Thursday February 2nd utility-scale wind opponents from communities across Vermont will head to the State House for “Ridges Are Not Renewable Day.” They will call on lawmakers to call a “time out” on further utility-scale wind development in the state to give regulators, communities, and experts time to assess impacts from recently constructed projects. As . . .
Dismissed!
The judge granted the Motion to Dismiss charges against the two Sterling College students, Trevor and Dave, who were arrested on the Nelsons’ property for violating the Temporary Restraining Order. Read the Judge’s Dismissal Decision The Court observes that under the Preliminary Injunction Green Mountain Power Corporation was ordered to ”. . .warn the public of any blasting.” Also, Green Mountain Power was ordered to ”. . .provide law enforcement with notice of blasting sufficient to allow for execution of . . .
Wind protesters challenge contempt charges
NEWPORT — Failure to post the blasting schedule or give notification at the wind site on Lowell Mountain may unravel criminal charges brought against two protesters here in Orleans County Superior Court. Judge Robert Gerety Jr. is expected to rule later this month on a defense motion to dismiss contempt of court charges brought against David Martorana, 19, and Trevor Ring, 20, students at Sterling College in Craftsbury. They were charged with violating a court order on November 16 when . . .
Judge wants more data in trespass case
NEWPORT — A Superior Court judge has asked for more research before deciding on whether he should dismiss an unlawful trespass charge brought against a reporter who refused to leave a wind protest he was covering on private property. “I want to understand the law a little better than I do right now,” advised Judge Robert Gerety Jr., following oral arguments on Thursday, January 26, here in Orleans County Superior Court. The judge gave defense attorney Philip White of Newport . . .
