April 3, 2014
Maryland

Exelon to begin work soon for Fourmile Ridge; Sixteen wind turbines to be constructed

Elaine Blaisdell | Cumberland Times-News | April 3, 2014 | www.times-news.com

OAKLAND – Exelon will begin moving dirt soon for the Fourmile Ridge project, Mike Koch, executive director of Garrett County’s Department of Community Planning and Development, told the county commissioners during their public meeting Tuesday.

Jim Torrington, assistant director of the Garrett County Permits and Inspection Services Office, met with Exelon and a meeting has occurred with constituents regarding erosion, sediment control and stormwater management.

The Garrett County Engineering Department has been looking at drainage, driveway impacts and a roadway use agreement with Exelon for restoring the road once the Fourmile Ridge project is complete, according to Dwight Emory, P.E., director of the engineering department.

The Fourmile Ridge project started out as a Synergics project with 24 wind turbines and was revised to an Exelon project with 16 wind turbines on Frostburg Road, according to Torrington.

Federal Aviation Administration approval was hinging on the decommissioning of the Grantsville VOR/DME system, which drew opposition from Ed Kelley, manager of the Garrett County Airport, and the Maryland Aviation Administration.

The Maryland Public Service Commission approved the Fourmile wind project last year.

In addition, the commissioners are deferring a vote on approval of the easements with Exelon for the Fair Wind project because more information needs to be gathered, according to Monty Pagenhardt, county administrator.

During an administrative session in March, County Attorney Gorman Getty and Patrick Hudnall, project engineer with the Garrett County Engineering Department, suggested that the commissioners, acting as the Garrett County Sanitary Commission, review and execute the deeds of easements with Exelon.

During an administrative meeting in December, the Maryland Public Service Commission approved Fair Wind Power Partners’ application to construct up to 15 wind turbines on Backbone Mountain – but with conditions.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/04/03/excelon-to-begin-work-soon-for-fourmile-ridge-sixteen-wind-turbines-to-be-constructed/