Post by L Roebuck on Mar 13, 2006 8:00:36 GMT -5
State agencies take turn tilting at windmill plan
Several state agencies fear the windmills will harm endangered animals and the viewshed.
By John Cramer 981-3140
Highland New Wind Development LLC remains optimistic about building Virginia's first major wind farm despite concerns from state agencies about its environmental effects.
The company's studies show the proposed project -- which would put 19 windmills atop two ridges on Alleghany Mountain in Highland County -- would cause minimal damage to the environment. But state biologists say the giant wind turbines could harm endangered bats, birds, viewsheds, other natural resources and tourism in rural Highland County, known as "Virginia's Switzerland."
The state agencies don't oppose the project but recommend further studies be conducted for at least a year before construction starts and for several years after the project is completed.
Frank Maisano, a spokesman for Highland New Wind, said the agencies' concerns weren't unusual and should not slow approval of the $60 million project. The company tentatively hopes to start construction in early 2007.
Most U.S. windmill facilities are in the West, but a growing number are being built in the Appalachian Mountains.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality last week suspended the state's review of the project until Highland New Wind responds to the state agencies' concerns.
Maisano said the company is working closely with the state agencies. He said the concerns of a few biologists didn't necessarily reflect the position of the state agencies themselves.
The windmills' opponents say the agencies' concerns are warranted.
"The project has well-documented environmental risks and uncertainties, yet will provide very little in terms of electricity and pollution reduction," said Rick Webb, a University of Virginia research scientist and a member of a Virginia Wind Energy Collaborative group working to find environmentally sensitive sites for wind-energy projects.
Under Highland New Wind's proposal, the 19 windmills -- 400-foot-tall turbines -- could generate up to 38 megawatts of power, or enough to supply 15,000 to 20,000 homes, according to the company, which is owned by Henry McBride of Harrisonburg.
The State Corporation Commission will have public hearings on the proposal Monday and Tuesday at Highland Elementary School in Monterey.
The state agencies involved are the DEQ, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Historic Resources and the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.
The agencies want further research about the project's potential threat to bats and birds that use the Highland area as a migratory path.
The agencies also want studies of the area's archaeological, historic, natural heritage and geological resources, including any caves. In addition, they want a viewshed analysis that shows the wind turbines' location.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also may become involved.
Opponents, who are seeking to stop the project in court, say the turbines will ruin scenic views, kill wildlife, decrease property values and open the way for further industrial wind energy development in Highland County.
Supporters say the project will generate nonpolluting energy, help decrease America's dependence on foreign energy sources, produce local tax revenue of about $200,000 annually, create temporary construction jobs and boost tourism in a county that's financially strapped.
www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/wb/xp-56364
Several state agencies fear the windmills will harm endangered animals and the viewshed.
By John Cramer 981-3140
Highland New Wind Development LLC remains optimistic about building Virginia's first major wind farm despite concerns from state agencies about its environmental effects.
The company's studies show the proposed project -- which would put 19 windmills atop two ridges on Alleghany Mountain in Highland County -- would cause minimal damage to the environment. But state biologists say the giant wind turbines could harm endangered bats, birds, viewsheds, other natural resources and tourism in rural Highland County, known as "Virginia's Switzerland."
The state agencies don't oppose the project but recommend further studies be conducted for at least a year before construction starts and for several years after the project is completed.
Frank Maisano, a spokesman for Highland New Wind, said the agencies' concerns weren't unusual and should not slow approval of the $60 million project. The company tentatively hopes to start construction in early 2007.
Most U.S. windmill facilities are in the West, but a growing number are being built in the Appalachian Mountains.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality last week suspended the state's review of the project until Highland New Wind responds to the state agencies' concerns.
Maisano said the company is working closely with the state agencies. He said the concerns of a few biologists didn't necessarily reflect the position of the state agencies themselves.
The windmills' opponents say the agencies' concerns are warranted.
"The project has well-documented environmental risks and uncertainties, yet will provide very little in terms of electricity and pollution reduction," said Rick Webb, a University of Virginia research scientist and a member of a Virginia Wind Energy Collaborative group working to find environmentally sensitive sites for wind-energy projects.
Under Highland New Wind's proposal, the 19 windmills -- 400-foot-tall turbines -- could generate up to 38 megawatts of power, or enough to supply 15,000 to 20,000 homes, according to the company, which is owned by Henry McBride of Harrisonburg.
The State Corporation Commission will have public hearings on the proposal Monday and Tuesday at Highland Elementary School in Monterey.
The state agencies involved are the DEQ, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Historic Resources and the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.
The agencies want further research about the project's potential threat to bats and birds that use the Highland area as a migratory path.
The agencies also want studies of the area's archaeological, historic, natural heritage and geological resources, including any caves. In addition, they want a viewshed analysis that shows the wind turbines' location.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also may become involved.
Opponents, who are seeking to stop the project in court, say the turbines will ruin scenic views, kill wildlife, decrease property values and open the way for further industrial wind energy development in Highland County.
Supporters say the project will generate nonpolluting energy, help decrease America's dependence on foreign energy sources, produce local tax revenue of about $200,000 annually, create temporary construction jobs and boost tourism in a county that's financially strapped.
www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/wb/xp-56364