Tuesday's hearing on wind project issues postponed until Nov. 10

RICHMOND — The hearing planned at the State Corporation Commission Tuesday has been postponed until Nov. 10.

The hearing was scheduled following a complaint from Virginia's Department of Historic Resources that Highland New Wind Development LLC of Harrisonburg was not working with the agency pursuant to a condition attached to the developer's state permit.

HNWD is building a 38-megawatt wind energy utility in Highland County, and was granted a certificate for the project in December 2007.

Late on Friday, Oct. 9, the SCC received a motion from the Attorney General's office, representing the DHR, to postpone the hearing, and hearing examiner Alexander Skirpan agreed to grant it.

DHR requested postponement following two preliminary reports submitted by HNWD last Friday.

"Since a constructive consultation is what DHR sought when it filed its complaint, it does not seem appropriate to proceed with a hearing on the complaint before it has had a chance to engage in this attempt at such a constructive consultation," the motion states. "It is not possible for DHR to review, analyze and consult with Highland New Wind about these reports before the hearing date on Oct. 13 After appropriate review, analysis and consultation, DHR would be in a better position to raise any substantive issues that may present themselves as a result of these studies, thus promoting judicial efficiency and economy in this proceeding."

HNWD did not object to the motion, which was granted by Skirpan at about 5 p.m. Oct. 9.

DHR officials did not reply to requests from The Recorder for more information by deadlines this week.

The hearing has been rescheduled for 10 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Tyler Building in Richmond.