Want to comment on HNWD project? Dont't send those letters just yet ... RICHMOND - The hundreds of Highland residents and landowners who oppose Highland New Wind Development's wind turbine project are eager to express their views to the State Corporation Commission.
But don't send them yet, says the SCC.
SCC's division of information resources director Ken Schrad reminds those who would like to express their views on HNWD's application for a state permit they should wait until the agency opens its comment period.
HNWD has applied to the SCC for a certificate to operate a 39-megawatt wind generating power plant, but before it accepts comments for the record, the application must be reviewed for its completeness, and it could be a few more weeks before that process is over.
"This is more like a court record," Schrad says. "(The SCC) won't take comments before the period is open, or after the deadline. Comments can't be early or late."
Once the SCC reviews the application for completeness, it will then issue a "scheduling order" that outlines all the dates involved in the SCC's process, along with instructions on how and when to submit comments or become a formal participant in the application review.
Schrad says the scheduling order may include a call for comments on whether a public hearing should be held, but he doesn't know yet if that will be the case. Letters will be accepted by mail, and there will be a process for submitting them electronically as well through the SCC's web site.
"We will issue a news release, and publish a public notice in the local paper," he added. "I've already had a couple of e-mails." Those who have submitted comments already should re-submit them during the public comment period.
"Tell everybody to sit tight and wait for the scheduling order to come out," he said.
- Anne Adams
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