Ridge Protectors is extremely disappointed in today’s decision by the Vermont Public Service Board to issue a certificate of public good (CPG) for UPC Vermont Wind’s Sheffield project. Given the political pressure on the PSB to demonstrate that a wind project can be approved in Vermont, however, their decision did not come as a surprise.
The CPG issued today contains 32 conditions that severely restrict UPC’s latitude in constructing and operating their proposed 16-turbine, 40-megawatt wind generation facility in Sheffield, Vermont. The requirements that UPC enter into diverse, long-term, stably priced power contracts with Vermont utilities (condition #3), that UPC must operate the project so that it emits no prominent discrete tones at receptor sites or that indoor site noise levels not exceed 30 dBA (Ldn) (condition #8), that UPC must have a plan to transport turbine components through Barton in a manner that avoids “undue” disruption of municipal services, local businesses, and travelers (condition # 21) all will be extremely hard to comply with.
Ridge Protectors intends to insist that the PSB make UPC adhere to all 32 conditions. It is clear that the State of Vermont bears the responsibility and accountability for the enforcement of the conditions. Ridge Protectors is concerned that UPC will construct and begin operating the project and that, because of inadequate State resources, enforcement will be less than effective.
In the Northeast Kingdom we are sustained by the ridgelines and mountains around us. Because they are sacred to us we had no choice but to defend them. Clearly, Docket 7156 is not over. Any party can ask for reconsideration or clarification, and an appeal of the PSB’s decision is also a possibility.
8/8/07
Ridge Protectors
P.O. Box 76, Sheffield, Vermont 05866
www.ridgeprotectors.org
802-467-3460
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/08/08/conditions-imposed-on-upc-vermont-wind-by-psb-appear-to-make-project-unfeasible/