Conservancy didn’t explicitly support Antrim Wind, by Mark Zankel
The Keene Sentinel | December 12, 2016 | www.sentinelsource.com
The Keene Sentinel | December 12, 2016 | www.sentinelsource.com
The beginning of N.H. Site Evaluation Committee deliberations about the proposed Antrim Wind project is placing media and public focus on the project. That’s a good thing, as there are many important issues and considerations connected to this proposal.
However, a recent piece in The Sentinel (“State to begin deliberating on Antrim wind project today,” Dec. 7) misstates The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire’s position on the project.
Our organization has not, as was suggested in the piece, come out “in support of the project.” Last spring, the conservancy submitted formal comments about the proposal to the SEC. These comments reflected extensive review by our science staff, policy team and board of trustees, and examined those committee criteria for which the conservancy had knowledge, expertise and standing.
While our review identified various impacts on the natural landscape, we concluded that these impacts were not unduly adverse based on the factors state statute and regulation require the committee to consider. Additionally, we found the project to be in alignment with New Hampshire’s state energy policy.
The conservancy did not make an overall recommendation for or against Antrim Wind because The SEC is required to consider many factors, such as community input, that are beyond our expertise or purview.
Evaluating the benefits and impacts of energy projects is rarely black-and-white. The conservancy has sought to provide input in a way that honors our mission and our science-based approach while adding value to the site review and respecting the perspectives of other stakeholders.
MARK ZANKEL
State Director
The Nature Conservancy
22 Bridge St., 4th Floor
Concord
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/12/14/conservancy-didnt-explicitly-support-antrim-wind-by-mark-zankel/