Planners close windmill hearing
article date: 09/27/2002
Manchester Journal

reprinted with permission

By Patrick Monroe
Journal Correspondent

MANCHESTER - An audience of 25 heard from Bruce Peacock and Harley Lee from Endless Energy about the plans to place five large wind turbines on Little Equinox. Each turbine will have three blades that will have a spinning diameter of 155 feet.

These turbines are designed to generate enough electricity to handle the needs of 4,700 homes, about 9 megawatts.

There was some confusion as to whether or not any of the electricity would be used by local homes. The fact is that all electricity goes into the same energy pool, and users draw from that pool, the windmill representatives said. All of the energy is mixed together regardless of the source, they said.

The energy will travel down the mountain on existing poles, but new wiring will be installed. It will then travel along Rte. 7A and across land owned by Casella and eventually feed into the CVPS system.

Annette Smith of Danby said that she has become an activist, opposing the gas pipeline proposal as well as the OMYA project. She solidly supports the wind farm.

"This project is in the right direction," she said. "If you oppose this renewable energy project, be prepared to support an alternative. Do you want coal, oil, natural gas or nuclear? Where would you locate that kind of plant in your community?"

Another supporter was Dale Gulbrandsen, a board member of the Vermont Natural Resources Council. He lives on Lathrop Lane, near Skyline Drive.

"This is a project we should all support," he said.

Martin Sinclair of the Conservation Law Foundation also spoke in favor of the wind farm. He did suggest that prior to final approval there should be a decommission plan for the time when the turbines become obsolete.

Judy Harwood, who owns about 150 acres on both sides of Rte. 7A, said that she would never grant a right of way.

Peacock said that Harwood's property was not needed for the project.

Equinox General Manager Gary Thulander voiced some concerns about the possible impact on the hotel.

The windmill proponents pointed out that in Searsberg, where 60 originally opposed them, after they were built, 83 percent supported them.

"Will you support the Manchester School Fund when the turbines are finished?" asked Bob Stannard. Peacock said that they have already supported the fund to the extent of the current assessment. When completed the valuation of the property is expected to be about $9 million.

The Planning Commission heard the testimony and closed the hearing without taking a vote. The board can not approve or deny a permit for the wind project, but can be a party in the Section 248 Certificate of Public Good hearings.

In separate action, the planners agreed that the new location of Maple Street School behind Equinox Terrace would not cause a traffic impact on the roundabout or Rte. 7A.