June 8, 2016
Virginia

Rockbridge County leaders express concerns about proposed wind farm

By Khiree Stewart | Jun 06, 2016 | www.wdbj7.com

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. Leaders in Rockbridge County are expressing their concerns about the proposed wind farm in Botetourt County. The public comment period for the project ended today, but it wasn’t before the Rockbridge County supervisors gave their take on the idea.

Ronnie Campbell is a member of the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors. They recently sent this letter to APEX Clean Energy and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, expressing their concerns about the company’s proposed wind farm in Botetourt County. The site is very close to the Rockbridge County line.

“There’s a certain amount of noise you get from these wind turbines. You have impact on nature,” said Campbell. “The golden eagle migration route is down this mountain ridge line.”

Other concerns they mentioned include the impact on property value, noise, and water quality once construction starts.

Gregg Amonette is a member of the Rockbridge Area Conservation Council.

“You couple the view-shed, the forest, the watershed, the natural habitat, the animals, that’s the cost of doing this then you look for a balance, what comes out of this that’s worth that cost,” said Amonette.

Botetourt County leaders said they fill comfortable with the project.

In a statement, Botetourt County supervisor Billy Martin says in part, “You couple the view-shed, the forest, the water-shed, the natural habitat, the animals, that’s the cost of doing this then you look for a balance, what comes out of this that’s worth that cost.”

Campbell said they support alternative energy, but they hope APEX and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality take the time to look and think about their concerns.

APEX will file the comments with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. They will decide whether the project will move forward.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/06/08/rockbridge-county-leaders-express-concerns-about-proposed-wind-farm/