Wind Power News: Vermont
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Pittsford wrangles over wind project
PITTSFORD – A proposal to place a single wind turbine on Grandpa’s Knob, a prominent 1,600-foot summit in the Taconic Range in West Rutland, was met with 90 minutes of public outcry at Pittsford’s Select Board meeting last Wednesday, Oct. 6. Sam Carlson, who works in community relations for Grandpa’s Knob Community Wind, said that the project is only in its infancy and that he wanted Pittsford and its neighboring communities to be involved in the construction and siting of the . . . Complete story »
Public tells off wind developer at meeting
PITTSFORD – A proposal to build a single wind turbine atop Grandpa’s Knob to honor a historical figure in the wind industry was met with strong opposition by people in the community at a Select Board meeting Wednesday. The Grandpa’s Knob Community Wind project is backed by David Blittersdorf, a wind developer, who was in attendance at the meeting, which drew upwards of 30 people, the vast majority of whom voiced their disapproval of the project. Much of their ire stems . . . Complete story »
Single turbine proposed for Grandpa’s Knob
CASTLETON – A wind developer wants to put a single turbine atop Grandpa’s Knob and share the profits with surrounding towns that might be affected. Sam Carlson, speaking on behalf of David Blittersdorf, told the Castleton Select Board at its Sept. 27 meeting that Grandpa’s Knob Community Wind is nine to 12 months away from filing for a permit with the Public Utility Commission, but that it plans to share more information about the project, specifically visual simulations and financial data, . . . Complete story »
Community raises concerns about proposed wind power project in Castleton
A new wind turbine proposed for Grandpa’s Knob in Castleton is giving some people deja vu. In 2012, Castleton and surrounding towns dealt with a proposal for 20 turbines along the ridgeline there. Back then, the Castleton Select Board unanimously opposed the project. Now, multiple select boards are listening to a new presentation for only one turbine. But many in the community are already against it. “We’re still healing from that from 10 years ago. And when I first heard . . . Complete story »
New England solar developer’s legal wrangling draws praise, criticism
Thomas Melone is president of a Connecticut solar company. He is also a lawyer. And between the two, observers say, he is something of an enigma. As head of Allco Renewable Energy, Melone says his company’s corporate mission is to combat the devastating impacts of climate change. But he’s also filed multiple lawsuits challenging several states’ clean energy programs. He most recently made news by suing in federal court to have approvals overturned for Vineyard Wind – poised to be the . . . Complete story »
Questions on permit violations raised at Lowell wind project hearing
Environmental groups have questioned whether the state’s largest commercial wind farm is skirting permit rules. The issue came up during a hearing this month and led to calls for independent monitoring of nearby water quality. “It sounds like there’s photographic evidence that permit conditions are not being met,” Mark Whitworth, president of the group Energize Vermont, said at the hearing June 16. “It sounds like monitoring is not being conducted in a broad enough way, and it sounds like Green . . . Complete story »
Bright green lies
When I was a child, I fell in love with Nature. I explored and knew intimately the wild lands near my home – places full of enchantment, wonder, and a multitude of living beings. So it was with an inconsolable broken heart that I watched as they were bulldozed and paved over, all in the name of economic growth. For similar reasons, many in my generation were inspired to defend the natural world from the voracious human economy. We used to . . . Complete story »
Danville School to remove wind turbine, purchase solar
Danville School’s 90-foot-tall wind turbine, noticeable for miles around for the past 20 years, will soon be removed. Dave Schilling, Danville Middle and High School principal, said in an email that he was surprised to find the noisy turbine not producing power when he arrived at the school in 2018. “Neither my predecessor nor the assistant principal at the time knew when it had previously generated power,” he said. Schilling told the school board on May 4 that the cost . . . Complete story »
Hearing sought on Lowell wind draft stormwater permit
LOWELL – Two conservation groups want an independent inspector to oversee stormwater discharge controls for the Lowell Wind Project. The 21 Kingdom Community Wind turbines went up in late 2012, to become the second large-wind project in Vermont. The 16 turbines in Sheffield were the first. The turbines are owned and operated by Green Mountain Power and partners, including Vermont Electric Cooperative. Stormwater controls are in place along the crane access road built to reach the ridgeline pads where the turbines . . . Complete story »
Conservationists angle for 2nd look at Lowell wind project, using the permit process
Conservation groups want to clamp more restrictions on the state’s largest commercial wind farm and think that could happen through a state permit review. Green Mountain Power wants to re-up the stormwater drainage permit on its Kingdom Community Wind project, a collection of 21 wind turbines on Lowell Mountain in Orleans County. But in recent letters to the Agency of Natural Resources, Vermonters for a Clean Environment and the Maine-based Native Fish Coalition say the new permit should be granted . . . Complete story »
