 |
| PRESS RELEASE: UPC VERMONT WIND REDUCES PROPOSED WIND PROJECT |
| Eliminates Hardscrabble Turbines, Total Turbines Reduced From 26 to 16; |
| 09/25/2006 |
Monday, September 25, 2006
St. Johnsbury, VT—September 25, 2006-- UPC Vermont Wind has made adjustments to the proposed Sheffield Wind Project that will positively address State and public concerns while still generating a significant amount of power for Vermont. These changes are outlined in rebuttal testimony filed with the Vermont Public Service Board today. The new plan calls for 16 2.5MW turbines, completely eliminating the array on Hardscrabble Mountain, reducing the northern array from 20 to 16 turbines, and eliminating the need to access the project through a road near the King George School. The reduced size means a peak output of 40MW instead of the original 52MW, which is enough power for more than 15,000 homes. UPC plans to sell 100% of the power in Vermont.
“We took the comments of the public and the State very seriously,” said Sheffield Wind project manager Matt Kearns. “We’ve met with a variety of citizens and state officials and listened carefully to what everyone had to say. Our design and permitting team spent the summer addressing the concerns that had been voiced. While we were confident that our original plan was a good one and approvable under state law, we believe that these changes address the issues that were raised by vocal project opponents, local landowners, and state agencies. We’ve reduced the overall size while still managing to generate enough electricity to power all of Caledonia County. What we have here is truly a Vermont scale wind farm.”
The new layout positions 14 turbines in Sheffield and only two in Sutton. The 2.5MW turbines have the same size towers but slightly longer blades, resulting in a maximum height of 420 feet (a 21 foot increase).. But the increased output of each turbine allows the flexibility to reduce the overall footprint. The new turbine locations mean fewer people will be able to see them as shown in photo simulations that are part of the filing. The smaller, more compact project layout means that it will no longer be visible from Berry Hill Road, the Miller’s Run School and many other locations in Sheffield and surrounding towns, and will be less visible from places such as Crystal Lake. Several turbines are now lower on the ridge, which also diminishes their visibility
Berry Hill, Dareios and Hardscrabble roads are no longer being used, with site access now coming off of New Duck Pond Road in Sheffield. Further clarification on a host of environmental, economic, and electrical issues has also been presented including sound levels, stormwater, wildlife, plants, taxes and jobs . Fewer new roads will be built, and disturbance of wetlands and bear habitat has been substantially curtailed. The reduced number of turbines also means fewer turbines will be lit at night. UPC has proposed 8 red blinking lights instead of the original 15 originally planned.
Click here to view complete testimony.
About First Wind
First Wind is based in Newton, Massachusetts. First Wind is an American-owned company, with a proven track record of developing, owning, and operating well-sited, community-friendly wind farms that increase energy independence. For more information on First Wind, please visit www.firstwind.com.
##
For more information, contact:
John Lamontagne
Director, Communications
First Wind
617-964-3340
|
|
|
|
home
