March 23, 2011
Virginia

FAA approves some wind turbines for Poor Mountain in Roanoke County

By WSLS-TV Staff Reports, www2.wsls.com 23 March 2011

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved requests for 14 out of 18 proposed wind turbines for Poor Mountain in Roanoke County.

Of the four not approved, the FAA indicated that lowering their height may gain approval in the future.

Energy company Invenergy is seeking approval to build the turbines to generate “green” electricity.

Roanoke County Supervisors have delayed making a decision on whether or not to approve the project, while waiting for additional information, including the FAA’s ruling.

A number of pilots and plane safety groups have spoken out against the proposal, citing the additional danger the turbines would cause for pilots trying to land at Roanoke Regional Airport. The planned location of the turbines is along the landing route considered ‘most save’ for planes to use at Roanoke Regional.

In addition, there is concern that the proposed wind farm may impact signals from WSLS, as well as other local TV and radio stations.

Some environmental groups support the plan, as a way to generate cleaner electricity. The Roanoke Group of the Sierra Club said back in October that the wind farm has the potential to reduce carbon emissions from coal power plants by 98,000 tons per year, which would equal the emissions of 20,000 cars.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/03/23/faa-approves-some-wind-turbines-for-poor-mountain-in-roanoke-county/