VPSB Approves Wind Farm On Georgia Mountain

[Henry]

Developers of a three- to five-turbine commercial-scale wind project on the Georgia-Milton town line — the first project of its kind in Chittenden County — received a certificate of public good Monday from the state Public Service Board.

Read more by clicking on the link below:

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20100615/NEWS02/100614009

[Chris Santee]

Georgia Mountain Community Wind Receives Go Ahead from the Public Service Board

Georgia, VT – The Georgia Mountain Community Wind (GMCW) project received a Certificate of Public Good from the Vermont Public Service Board (PSB) to construct and operate the 5-turbine, 12 megawatt wind power facility in the towns of Milton and Georgia, VT .  The project will provide the equivalent of the average annual electric needs of over 3,500 Vermont households.   

 “We firmly believe in the importance of bringing clean energy and economic benefits to our local communities as well as all of Vermont,” said Jim Harrison, whose family is developing the GMCW.  In its Findings, the Board noted ‘regardless of the commenter’s views regarding the project, the vast majority of commenters support developing in-state renewable energy.’  “We want to thank the large number of people who voiced their support to develop this local, low-emissions project,” said Jim Harrison, “with the Findings of the PSB, we will continue our work to bring this project to fruition.”

The Project’s compliance with Vermont’s environmental criteria was thoroughly vetted among project opponents and supporters alike.  The Board concluded the Project, subject to conditions, will promote the general public good.  In its Order, the Board made “positive findings under each of the criteria of Section 248, while at the same time recognizing the potential impacts of the Project, not the least of which are the impacts on the natural environment.” 

“Our project is contributing to the growth of alternative energy, creating jobs and contributing to in-state investment opportunities for renewable projects,” explained Jim Harrison.  GMCW qualifies under the Vermont Sustainable Priced Energy Enterprise Development (“SPEED”) Program which encourages Vermont utilities to acquire new in-state renewable sources of electricity.  Georgia Mountain Community Wind intends to enter into a stably-priced contract with a Vermont utility.

The Harrison Family is life-long Vermont residents and business owners of Harrison Concrete, Inc. and Harrison Redi-Mix Corp., and lives in Georgia, Vermont.  http://www.georgiamountainwind.com/

For more information contact Martha Staskus of Vermont Environmental Research Associates, Inc. at marthas@northeastwind.com.