Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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May 30, 2009

Wind energy study could begin soon

By CHARLES OWENS

TAZEWELL, Va. — Work on a proposed wind energy study for Tazewell County could begin soon.

The county’s Industrial Development Authority met last week, and has authorized county officials to begin seeking proposals for the study, according to County Administrator Jim Spencer.

The issue will be brought back before the Board of Supervisors Tuesday.

“The IDA met (Wednesday), and they authorized us to get proposals to do such a study,” Spencer said.

Dominion and BP Wind Energy North America have proposed the development of as many as 60, 400-foot tall windmills along East River Mountain near Bluefield, Va. The supervisors are hoping the wind energy study will help them to determine what economic impact windmills could have on Tazewell County.

Board chairman David Anderson voted against the wind energy study last month because the study would be partially funded by the project developers. Anderson argued the study couldn’t be unbiased if it was being partially funded by Dominion and BP.

While discussion regarding the proposed ridgeline protection ordinance is back on the board’s agenda for Tuesday, Spencer said no action is imminent. Spencer said the earliest another public hearing could be held on the revised ridgeline protection ordinance is July, and possibly later.

The county’s planning commission is still working to hash out the details of the ordinance that could regulate the development of windmills along certain protected mountain ridges.

Specifically, the planning commission is considering several changes recommended by a recently concluded tall structures steering committee. The supervisors can either accept, reject or amend the final planning commission recommendation.

Two of the more significant changes being considered by the planning commission in the draft ordinance recommended by the steering committee deal with the formation of an appeals board, and setbacks — or how far back a tall structure must be set back from a dwelling.

The proposed mountain ridge construction ordinance seeks to protect certain mountain ridgelines by limiting construction of tall buildings and structures that may obstruct views of their crests or endanger the persons or property of residents below the ridgeline.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

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