Will U.S. Wind extend Liberty Gap project into Highland? MONTEREY - Highland County residents opposed to the wind utility proposed by Highland New Wind Development LLC have often cited the proliferation of more such industrial projects as a large concern in granting the first one. And it appears they have reason to believe a second project is planned.
Two years ago, as more information surfaced on U.S. Wind Force's plans for the Liberty Gap utility, that company's officials told The Recorder they were carefully watching HNWD's application process in Highland County and believed this area of Virginia was a good place for wind generation.
Now that Liberty Gap has re-filed an application with West Virginia's Public Service Commission, the concern about the developer's plans has heightened. The Liberty Gap project is proposed for several miles along Jack Mountain in Pendleton County, W.Va., right up to the border with Highland County in the Doe Hill area.
A Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staff report obtained by The Recorder appears to confirm the developer's plans to extend that project into Highland.
The November 2004 report was a FERC staff briefing paper titled, "Assessing the State of Wind Energy in Wholesale Electricity Markets." FERC officials had researched various developers' proposals and applications for joining the PJM electric grid, in which Highland participates.
One of its appendices lists developers, the dates of their announced projects, their proposed installation dates, and the number of megawatts they hope to generate. Liberty Gap's application to the PJM for an interconnection agreement calls for up to 200 megawatts, but only lists 125 MW for the Pendleton County project. The FERC report indicates Liberty Gap estimated 179 MW would be needed.
The appendix lists the Liberty Gap announcement in October 2004, for 79 megawatts to be installed in West Virginia. It also lists an announcement during the same time for a Phase II of the same project, for 100 megawatts, to be installed in 2006 in Virginia, and states that "more megawatts may be added later."
Company officials have not returned phone calls from The Recorder. To date, there is no application on file in Highland for Liberty Gap's extension.
- Anne Adams
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