Officials not sold on proposed wind farm
Toolbox
By SANDI SWITZER HERALD CORRESPONDENT - Published: May 6, 2009
CLARENDON – Preliminary plans for a wind farm in Ira and surrounding communities has generated little support among town officials in neighboring Clarendon.
"It doesn't sit right with me the way these folks are approaching this," Select Board Chairman Michael Klopchin said.
Town officials expressed a number of concerns at a recent board meeting regarding Vermont Community Wind Farm's plan to install as many as 60 wind turbines for an 80-megawatt wind farm mostly in Ira, but in other towns as well.
Among those concerns were the aesthetic impact on the region, the construction of access roads to serve the facility and the lack of communication between the developer and the town.
Klopchin noted he had already fielded numerous telephone calls from residents concerned about the project.
However, the board chairman said he had little information to calm their fears since the developer, Per White-Hansen, had yet to meet with the town.
"I have no knowledge of it," Klopchin said. He said he was in favor of green technology to reduce the company's dependency on oil.
"But until somebody comes to this meeting and talks to us, I'm against this and I'll fight it tooth and nail," he said.
Klopchin indicated the project's potential impact on Susie's Peak was another concern. "I used to ride horses up there," he said.
Other board members noted the developer would have to create roads to access the wind turbines.
"They'll have to carve out some pretty good roads," Selectman Robert Bixby said.
Administrative Assistant Linda Trombley noted Jeff Wennberg, VCWF's local representative, had recently contacted the town with regard to a meeting with the Select Board.
Klopchin indicated the town would review preliminary plans and identify specific areas of concern to address with the developer or representatives.
VCWF wants to put up three towers to measure wind in the area and plans to spend the next year collecting data for the project.
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