National Wind Watch: Wind Energy News » Wind farm developers request road opening

WEST CARTHAGE – The Champion Town Council is considering a request to open an abandoned road to help facilitate the construction of a Lewis County wind farm.

During the May Town Board meeting, Jerry Wichelns, representing Copenhagen Wind Farm, addressed the board requesting the use of Boni Road Spur, a qualified abandoned road, to transport the oversized wind tower components.

Mr. Wichelns told the board that after 4½ years of development, they were in the last stages of permitting prior to the start of construction.

He said members of the wind farm development team had devised a plan to use back roads to avoid bringing the oversized trucks through the center of town.

Mr. Wichelns submitted documentation to the Town Board for review.

Town Supervisor Bruce R. Ferguson said he would circulate the documents to the Town Board, lawyer and engineer for review.

“We would have to have a public hearing to reopen Boni Road,” said Mr. Ferguson. “We’ll have to see what impact opening the road would have to the area.”

He also expressed doubt that the road could be closed again once it was reopened.

According to Mr. Wichelns, the wind farm developers would build up the road as needed for their use and would fence off the road for only their use if necessary.