January 17, 2013
New Hampshire

Planners will take look at permitting for wind energy projects

The Laconia Daily Sun | www.laconiadailysun.com

BRIDGEWATER – The Lakes Region Planning Commission (LRPC) is convening its first meeting of the new year at the Bridgewater Town Hall on Monday, January 28 at 6 p.m.

The meeting will feature a presentation that will cover the steps used in NH to permit large-scale, renewable energy projects. Local officials and those interested in this topic are encouraged to attend.

While most everyone agrees that renewable energy must be part of the future energy mix, there is lack of agreement on the preferred scale, scope, and type of renewable energy to be used.

In New Hampshire much of the evaluation and debate over permitting large energy projects occurs with the NH Site Evaluation Committee.

Given the proposed Wild Meadows Wind Power project in Alexandria, Danbury, and Grafton, the January LRPC meeting is an opportunity for members, local officials, and the public to learn more about the way the Site Evaluation Committee evaluates and grants permits for large energy projects.

NH law recognizes that it is in the public interest to maintain a balance between the environment and the need for new energy facilities. It also instructs all entities planning to construct facilities in NH to provide full and complete disclosure to the public of such plans; and that the state ensure that the construction and operation of energy facilities is treated as a significant aspect of land-use planning.

Guest speaker is Michael Iacopino, who is an attorney with Brenan, Caron, Lenehan, & Iacopino in Manchester, and legal counsel for the NH Site Evaluation Committee.

An association of 30 communities, the Lakes Region Planning Commission has active programs in land use and environmental planning, transportation, watershed protection, economic development, technical assistance, and information services. All meetings are open to the public.

Contact the LRPC at 279-8171 or lrpc@lakesrpc.org for additional information.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/01/17/planners-will-take-look-at-permitting-for-wind-energy-projects/