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Wind project, next steps: 'Wait and see'
BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER
MONTEREY - "As for the wind energy decision, I don't think there is really anything to be said about that," said Highland County supervisor Robin Sullenberger during the board member comment period at the Jan. 2 meeting.
Dec. 20, the State Corporation Commission issued a certificate to Highland New Wind Development LLC to build and operate a planned 39-megawatt industrial wind energy utility in Highland County. If built, it will be Virginia's first such facility.
"The State Corporations Commission has approved it," Sullenberger continued. "We have spoken to the media. It has been reported on. It is rather anticlimactic at this juncture. It has reached approval stage. It has been an ongoing saga for the last several years as regards the application. That's where we are. Obviously there is more to come related to potential construction and handling of issues related to that."
"You are in a wait and see place," said county attorney Melissa Dowd. "Your conditional use permit required that they receive all the permits they need to receive, and the SCC clearly stated they will do this, this, this and this. Once they go through hoops with other agencies they have to provide to (building and zoning official) Jim Whitelaw evidence that they are in compliance with our conditional use permit."
The county issued a local permit in 2005, with conditions. HNWD must, among other things, obtain other state and federal permits as necessary, and provide the county with a final site plan before the company gets a building permit to begin construction.
"It is always a good topic," added supervisor David Blanchard. "It would be nice for the board to mention where the project is at at a certain time, as Robin did with the SCC ruling, just to keep the public up to speed. It would be nice instead of it being a surprise for some people."
"All the work is up to Highland New Wind Development to meet the obligations set out by the SCC, unless they choose to appeal. I haven't heard anything about that; that is a possibility," said Dowd. "They will have to meet the requirements of the conditional use permit before the first thing gets built."
HNWD and those involved formally in the state permitting process have until the end of this week to request the SCC reconsider its decision granting the certificate, and the end of next week to file a notice of intent to appeal the decision to the Virginia Supreme Court.
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