Wind plan supported at hearing
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By DANIEL BARLOW Southern Vermont Bureau - Published: August 4, 2005
WEST DOVER — A proposal to build as many as 30 wind turbines along ridges in the Green Mountain National Forest received strong support from Deerfield Valley residents during the first of two forums on the project this week.
More than 50 people streamed into the Grand Summit Resort Hotel at Mount Snow on Wednesday night to hear about the plan to build 370-foot-tall, wind-powered generators along two southern ridges in the forest.
If approved, it would be the first wind energy project on national forest land.
"I'm in favor of wind power," Patti Buck of East Dover said . "The more energy we can generate from alternative sources, the less we will rely on Vermont Yankee (nuclear power plant) in Vernon."
Many valley residents who attended the meeting were supportive of wind energy and Deerfield Wind's proposal to build the turbines along the two southern ridges of the forest in Readsboro and Searsburg.
But U.S. Forest Service representatives said they were looking for concerns and criticisms, as well, as the agency begins an 18-month review of the project. That includes looking into aesthetic and environmental objections.
The comments heard during the 30-day period, which ends Aug. 15, will help shape the criteria that Forest Supervisor Paul Brewster will use in forming a decision, according to Gina Owens, a district ranger with the Forest Service.
She said many people have already raised concerns about the turbines' visual impact on the landscape and possible interference with local wildlife, including birds, bats and bears.
The question before Brewster is not whether wind turbines are an appropriate use for forest lands, but this specific portion of those public lands, Owens added.
"The concerns we hear will frame the analysis of the project," she told attendees. "Everything we do here is built on public involvement."
Representatives from the Forest Service, Deerfield Wind and Green Mountain Power Corp., which installed 11 smaller turbines near the proposed location more than 10 years ago, were on hand Wednesday. They presented maps, charts and photographs detailing the project.
Bernard Friedland, owner of a summer condominium in West Dover, said he was supportive of wind energy and came Wednesday to hear more about the project.
Some people worry about the aesthetic value of the generators, but Friedland noted that windmills in Holland have become part of the Dutch heritage since they were introduced in the 13th century.
"I'd be happy to have the turbines here," he said. "They wouldn't bother the view for me at all."
Richard Joyce of Wilmington, owner of a cruise ship service, was one of the most vocal opponents of the project Wednesday. He said the generators would damage Vermont's pristine beauty.
The energy generated by the 11 Green Mountain Power turbines in one year is equal to the power created at Vermont Yankee in 24 hours, he said.
"I'm here to kill this project," Joyce said. "It will provide us with very little energy at a big price."
Susan Gross said she sees Green Mountain Power's 11 turbines from her home in Wilmington. But instead of being offended by the site, she said, it reminds her that the United States needs to look at alternative energy sources as it weans itself from foreign oil.
The proposed turbines are expected to produce 30 to 40 megawatts of energy per day.
"We need to stop adding to global warming by burning fossil fuels," she said. "That would ruin the landscape more than any turbines."
A second public hearing on the plan is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight at the Whitingham Elementary School along Route 100 in Jacksonville.
Comments on the plan can be sent to District Ranger Gina Owens at 2538 Depot St., Manchester Center, VT, 05255.
Contact Daniel Barlow at daniel.barlow@rutlandherald.com.
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