Monday, July 07, 2008
Wind turbines Location Map
FreedomWorks Shenandoah is 215 MW wind plant proposed on Shenandoah Mountain within George Washington National Forest. FreedomWorks has begun testing permit application process with U.S. Forest Service for MET tower ands special use permits to facilitate avian and bat mist net studies. FreedomWorks Shenandoah will help prepare an environmental impact statement to make sure the project is also is environmentally sound. Testing and study period is expected to last two years after permit issuance.(See Vawind.org map, and press articles below).
Wind turbines to be built in GW Forest
Wind Turbine Forum
People in Shenandoah County had the opportunity to hear both sides of the wind turbine debate Tuesday night at a public forum. They turned out to learn more about what potential impacts, good and bad, the turbines would have. Impacts to land, wildlife, and the local economy are just a few of the considerations. ... After about two hours, people left with much to consider. "Both of them brought up good points," says Kelley. "And, it's just something that I think is going to take some time to absorb everything."
June 19, 2008 by Michael Hyland in WHSV TV3
People in Shenandoah County had the opportunity to hear both sides of the wind turbine debate Tuesday night at a public forum. They turned out to learn more about what potential impacts, good and bad, the turbines would have.
Impacts to land, wildlife, and the local economy are just a few of the considerations.
Douglas Kelley was one of about 250 people looking to understand a plan to put about 130 turbines on the Virginia-West Virginia border in the George Washington National Forest.
"We've got ourselves dependent on something," says Kelley. "And here's something that may be a solution or may be part of a solution."
The group, Shenandoah Forum, hosted the event after gaging public interest.
"We don't know enough to take a position," says Rosemary Wallinger, president of the group. "And tonight was a first step in getting some information."
Frank Maisano, a representative of the business interested in developing the turbines, FreedomWorks LLC, spoke to the potential economic benefits, including tourism. He says the mammoth structures can be a big draw for curious tourists.
"We are going to develop projects only where it makes sense," says Maisano. "Hopefully, it will be done in an appropriate manner."
Environmental specialist Dan Boone doesn't oppose developing wind energy but doesn't think our area is the best spot to pursue it.
Impacted areas would be on public land near the borders of Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Hardy counties. The turbines would be about 440 feet tall. The U.S. Forest Service and the Federal Aviation Administration are two regulatory agencies that would have to approve any such construction.
"There [are] many tremendous areas for wind energy development in the Midwest, far greater than the East," says Boone.
Opponents cite threats to bat and bird populations and say the turbines would only reduce the rate of growth of CO2 emissions, not lower them outright.
"Our greatest demand for electricity is during the summer, and wind turbines produce their least amount of electricity in the three summer months," says Boone.
"Unfortunately, those who don't want wind turbines in their own backyard want them in someone else's backyard," says Maisano. "And the fact of the matter is this region needs wind turbines."
After about two hours, people left with much to consider.
"Both of them brought up good points," says Kelley. "And, it's just something that I think is going to take some time to absorb everything."
The U.S. Department of Energy recently released a report detailing how they'd like to achieve the goal of generating 20 percent of our nation's electricity from wind power by 2030.
JMU will hold a two-day symposium on wind energy starting Wednesday.
http://www.whsv.com/home/headlines/20205309.html
People in Shenandoah County had the opportunity to hear both sides of the wind turbine debate Tuesday night at a public forum. They turned out to learn more about what potential impacts, good and bad, the turbines would have. Impacts to land, wildlife, and the local economy are just a few of the considerations. ... After about two hours, people left with much to consider. "Both of them brought up good points," says Kelley. "And, it's just something that I think is going to take some time to absorb everything."
June 19, 2008 by Michael Hyland in WHSV TV3
People in Shenandoah County had the opportunity to hear both sides of the wind turbine debate Tuesday night at a public forum. They turned out to learn more about what potential impacts, good and bad, the turbines would have.
Impacts to land, wildlife, and the local economy are just a few of the considerations.
Douglas Kelley was one of about 250 people looking to understand a plan to put about 130 turbines on the Virginia-West Virginia border in the George Washington National Forest.
"We've got ourselves dependent on something," says Kelley. "And here's something that may be a solution or may be part of a solution."
The group, Shenandoah Forum, hosted the event after gaging public interest.
"We don't know enough to take a position," says Rosemary Wallinger, president of the group. "And tonight was a first step in getting some information."
Frank Maisano, a representative of the business interested in developing the turbines, FreedomWorks LLC, spoke to the potential economic benefits, including tourism. He says the mammoth structures can be a big draw for curious tourists.
"We are going to develop projects only where it makes sense," says Maisano. "Hopefully, it will be done in an appropriate manner."
Environmental specialist Dan Boone doesn't oppose developing wind energy but doesn't think our area is the best spot to pursue it.
Impacted areas would be on public land near the borders of Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Hardy counties. The turbines would be about 440 feet tall. The U.S. Forest Service and the Federal Aviation Administration are two regulatory agencies that would have to approve any such construction.
"There [are] many tremendous areas for wind energy development in the Midwest, far greater than the East," says Boone.
Opponents cite threats to bat and bird populations and say the turbines would only reduce the rate of growth of CO2 emissions, not lower them outright.
"Our greatest demand for electricity is during the summer, and wind turbines produce their least amount of electricity in the three summer months," says Boone.
"Unfortunately, those who don't want wind turbines in their own backyard want them in someone else's backyard," says Maisano. "And the fact of the matter is this region needs wind turbines."
After about two hours, people left with much to consider.
"Both of them brought up good points," says Kelley. "And, it's just something that I think is going to take some time to absorb everything."
The U.S. Department of Energy recently released a report detailing how they'd like to achieve the goal of generating 20 percent of our nation's electricity from wind power by 2030.
JMU will hold a two-day symposium on wind energy starting Wednesday.
http://www.whsv.com/home/headlines/20205309.html
Forum on wind turbines
Forum on wind turbines tonight
A community forum on the pros and cons of wind turbines along the Virginia-West Virginia border will be held tonight at Peter Muhlenberg Middle School in Woodstock. ...The discussion was triggered in March by a proposal by FreedomWorks LLC, a renewable-energy firm from Harpers Ferry, W.Va., to study the impact of constructing 130 440-foot wind turbines in George Washington National Forest, said Rosemary Wallinger, chairman of the Forum. Freedom Works requested the Federal Aviation Administration look into the plan. The FAA is one of the regulatory bodies involved in wind farm proposals. The proposal also would need the approval of the U.S. Forest Service.
June 17, 2008 by Anthony Bootz in The Daily News Record
Shenandoah Group Hosts Woodstock TalkA community forum on the pros and cons of wind turbines along the Virginia-West Virginia border will be held tonight at Peter Muhlenberg Middle School in Woodstock.
The Shenandoah Forum, a group of central Valley residents working to foster discussion about growth and development in Shenandoah County, is hosting the event, which will run from 7 to 9 p.m.
The discussion was triggered in March by a proposal by FreedomWorks LLC, a renewable-energy firm from Harpers Ferry, W.Va., to study the impact of constructing 130 440-foot wind turbines in George Washington National Forest, said Rosemary Wallinger, chairman of the Forum.
Freedom Works requested the Federal Aviation Administration look into the plan. The FAA is one of the regulatory bodies involved in wind farm proposals. The proposal also would need the approval of the U.S. Forest Service.
Goal An ‘Informed' Public
The study is the first of many hurdles the company would have to jump to build its turbines on public land in Shenandoah and Rockingham counties. The approval process could take two to three years, according to officials familiar with the plan.
"Our goal is to provide the community with two things: sources we consider authoritative and accurate, and to provide a format for people to ask questions and get answers so that they can make informed decisions," said Wallinger.
Tonight's forum will feature a point-counterpoint format with presentations by environmental consultant and policy analyst Dan Boone, as well as Frank Maisono, spokesman for MidWind, an ad-hoc group of mid-Atlantic wind developers. FreedomWorks is a member of MidWind.
"My role is simply to provide information and alternative analysis," said Boone, formerly with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "It's up to the people to decide whether the pros and cons match up."
David Carr of the Southern Environmental Law Center also will speak about the legal issues involved in the proposal and the opportunities for public involvement in FreedomWorks' permitting process. Carr will also cover the public's role in the ensuing update of George Washington National Forest's management plan.
A question-and-answer session will follow the presentations.
Local Support ‘Essential'
FreedomWorks declined to speak at the event, said Tim Williamson, managing director for the company, citing the company's intention to provide a series of community meetings following approval of the plan.
"We understand that gaining local support is essential to the viability of the project," Williamson said.
The arguments for and against the turbines run the gamut from cleaner, domestic energy, to ecological and aesthetic concerns for local hiking trails and the region's many Civil War battlefields.
"Our organization is very much in favor of alternative energy ... that includes wind," said Jim Murray, president of the Virginia Wildlife Committee, an organization that has close ties with the Southern Environmental Law Center.
"However, we think some places are inappropriate, specifically the high ridges of the [forest]."
Murray cites the danger turbines could have on birds whose principal southern routes run through the Virginia-West Virginia ridgeline. He also expressed concern about the federally protected Cow Knob salamander, which can only be found in the mountain ranges along the Virginias.
Impact On Battlefields
The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, along with other organizations in the Valley, has offered a contribution to Shenandoah Forum to help cover some of the costs of the event, said Howard Kittel, the foundation's executive director.
The wind turbines, Kittel said, would damage the "experience" of the three Civil War battlefields the proposed building sites border: Toms Brook, Fishers Hill and New Market.
"They aren't taking a pro- or anti-position to the issue," Kittel said. "We felt that was an important approach and that it was a great opportunity to quell rumors and get information out there about the proposal."
The forum has been involved in other hot-button issues in the central Valley. It hosted a January 2005 discussion on the proposed expansion of Interstate 81.
http://www.dailynews-record.com/opinion_details.php?AID=29236&CHID=1
A community forum on the pros and cons of wind turbines along the Virginia-West Virginia border will be held tonight at Peter Muhlenberg Middle School in Woodstock. ...The discussion was triggered in March by a proposal by FreedomWorks LLC, a renewable-energy firm from Harpers Ferry, W.Va., to study the impact of constructing 130 440-foot wind turbines in George Washington National Forest, said Rosemary Wallinger, chairman of the Forum. Freedom Works requested the Federal Aviation Administration look into the plan. The FAA is one of the regulatory bodies involved in wind farm proposals. The proposal also would need the approval of the U.S. Forest Service.
June 17, 2008 by Anthony Bootz in The Daily News Record
Shenandoah Group Hosts Woodstock TalkA community forum on the pros and cons of wind turbines along the Virginia-West Virginia border will be held tonight at Peter Muhlenberg Middle School in Woodstock.
The Shenandoah Forum, a group of central Valley residents working to foster discussion about growth and development in Shenandoah County, is hosting the event, which will run from 7 to 9 p.m.
The discussion was triggered in March by a proposal by FreedomWorks LLC, a renewable-energy firm from Harpers Ferry, W.Va., to study the impact of constructing 130 440-foot wind turbines in George Washington National Forest, said Rosemary Wallinger, chairman of the Forum.
Freedom Works requested the Federal Aviation Administration look into the plan. The FAA is one of the regulatory bodies involved in wind farm proposals. The proposal also would need the approval of the U.S. Forest Service.
Goal An ‘Informed' Public
The study is the first of many hurdles the company would have to jump to build its turbines on public land in Shenandoah and Rockingham counties. The approval process could take two to three years, according to officials familiar with the plan.
"Our goal is to provide the community with two things: sources we consider authoritative and accurate, and to provide a format for people to ask questions and get answers so that they can make informed decisions," said Wallinger.
Tonight's forum will feature a point-counterpoint format with presentations by environmental consultant and policy analyst Dan Boone, as well as Frank Maisono, spokesman for MidWind, an ad-hoc group of mid-Atlantic wind developers. FreedomWorks is a member of MidWind.
"My role is simply to provide information and alternative analysis," said Boone, formerly with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "It's up to the people to decide whether the pros and cons match up."
David Carr of the Southern Environmental Law Center also will speak about the legal issues involved in the proposal and the opportunities for public involvement in FreedomWorks' permitting process. Carr will also cover the public's role in the ensuing update of George Washington National Forest's management plan.
A question-and-answer session will follow the presentations.
Local Support ‘Essential'
FreedomWorks declined to speak at the event, said Tim Williamson, managing director for the company, citing the company's intention to provide a series of community meetings following approval of the plan.
"We understand that gaining local support is essential to the viability of the project," Williamson said.
The arguments for and against the turbines run the gamut from cleaner, domestic energy, to ecological and aesthetic concerns for local hiking trails and the region's many Civil War battlefields.
"Our organization is very much in favor of alternative energy ... that includes wind," said Jim Murray, president of the Virginia Wildlife Committee, an organization that has close ties with the Southern Environmental Law Center.
"However, we think some places are inappropriate, specifically the high ridges of the [forest]."
Murray cites the danger turbines could have on birds whose principal southern routes run through the Virginia-West Virginia ridgeline. He also expressed concern about the federally protected Cow Knob salamander, which can only be found in the mountain ranges along the Virginias.
Impact On Battlefields
The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, along with other organizations in the Valley, has offered a contribution to Shenandoah Forum to help cover some of the costs of the event, said Howard Kittel, the foundation's executive director.
The wind turbines, Kittel said, would damage the "experience" of the three Civil War battlefields the proposed building sites border: Toms Brook, Fishers Hill and New Market.
"They aren't taking a pro- or anti-position to the issue," Kittel said. "We felt that was an important approach and that it was a great opportunity to quell rumors and get information out there about the proposal."
The forum has been involved in other hot-button issues in the central Valley. It hosted a January 2005 discussion on the proposed expansion of Interstate 81.
http://www.dailynews-record.com/opinion_details.php?AID=29236&CHID=1
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