April 6, 2016
Vermont

Renewable company says studies support building big wind project in Grafton

By Howard Weiss-Tisman | Vermont Public Radio | April 6, 2016 | vpr.net

Officials from an international energy company say new environmental and sound studies support their plan to build what would be Vermont’s largest commercial wind project .

Iberdrola Renewables wants to put up 28 wind turbines on a ridge that runs between Grafton and Windham in southeastern Vermont.

The company held a meeting in Grafton Tuesday to share new stormwater and wetland reports, as well as sound and visual impact studies and more detailed road maps.

“They’ve gone through and looked at the topography and of established alignments for the roads, it gives me a sense of confidence that the project is moving forward,” says Don Hammond, director of engineering for the wind project.

“We’re learning about the project. We’re better defining the project. We’re narrowing in the variations of what the project can be.”

The information released at the meeting showed the most detailed projections yet of how the turbines and roads would impact the area.

Grafton and Windham will each hold a town wide vote on the wind project in November. Iberdrola says it will honor the outcomes of those votes.

If the towns support the project, and the company gets its state permits, the wind turbines could be online by the end of 2019.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/04/06/renewable-company-says-studies-support-building-big-wind-project-in-grafton/