The proposed industrial wind turbine installation in Highland County, Virginia has encountered intense opposition by residents and stewards of the environment. Although the project is moving ahead, under the banner of a smaller development organization, only 2-3 wind turbine sites have been cleared and some new roadwork is in place.
Recently, it is my understanding that attorney, Mary Ellen Goodlatte, has invited the Roanoke County planning staff, Planning Commission members and County supervisor, Ed Elswick, on a trip (expense paid?) to the site of the Beech Ridge Wind Farm. The project is a $300 million, 119-wind turbine installation under construction in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, on behalf of her client, Invenergy, PLC. This project consists of 1.5 Mw turbines. (the project proposed in Roanoke County will have 2.5 Mw turbines; 167% larger with greater environmental impact area). The purpose of this visit is to "educate" Roanoke County staff and planning commission members about the benefits of the installation of this technology in the Appalachian Mountains.
Currently, the Roanoke County Zoning Ordinance has no provisions for such an installation in Roanoke County. The county is expected to amend their ordinance this year and the invitees are only those who will be primarily responsible for preparing and recommending ordinance changes to the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors.
Unfortunately, we seem to all be blinded by the promise of big money and a silver bullet to conceal our ever growing consumption of energy.
The following link was published by Virginia Wind which is maintained by:
Dan Boone and Rick Webb of Highland County, VA:
http://www.vawind.org/Assets/Docs/Wishful-Thinking.pdf
Note: This post was edited on 06-01-10 to correct earlier misinformation regarding the site to be visited and deletion of references to Ms. Goodlatte's family.
We definitely need to have some of the Highland County residents, to be very visible, and let them have an opportunity to tell " The Roanoke County officials", how these wind turbines have really affected, and will continue to affect, their individual lives,in their native, Highland County.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me, that Roanoke County is trying to be "bought" by this big deceiving cooperate giant, named Invenergy Inc.
That's disgusting. We need better representation. Roanoke County, Floyd County, and Montgomery County residents will all be affected. City of Salem and City of Roanoke residents as well. If Roanoke County board members are persuaded to permit the construction of these economic and environmental disasters, they should be jailed. Loosing their jobs is not an effective solution as they will be paid into retirement. They must be held fully accountable for their actions. Abuse of public trust and funds is inexcusable.
ReplyDelete