November 29, 2017
Vermont

Swanton Wind developers cancel, neighbors celebrate

Stewart Ledbetter, NBC5 Senior Reporter | Nov 28, 2017 | www.mynbc5.com

FAIRFIELD, Vt. – Developers of the controversial Swanton Wind project have formally withdrawn their application for a state permit. The decision, they said, stems from a hostile political climate for commercial wind turbines both in Vermont and Washington, D.C.

Up to seven turbines were being considered for a ridgeline near Fairfield Pond. A group of local residents there told NBC5 they were stunned by the cancellation explaining that for nearly three years they have worried intensely about the impact 500-foot turbines would have on their health and home values.

Many made repeated trips to Montpelier to plead with state leaders to oppose it. One resident called the news “a miracle.”

But Swanton Wind project manager Nick Charyk says the application could be refiled at some point down the road, if the business environment for these kinds of projects in Vermont were to improve. He said it was not possible to predict how soon that might happen.

“It’s a tough decision,” Charyk said. “We just don’t see a prudent business path forward at the moment.”

Any new application would be subject to stringent noise limits governing large commercial wind turbines which were approved this fall by the Vermont Public Utility Commission.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2017/11/29/swanton-wind-developers-cancel-neighbors-celebrate/