Pivotal turn coming in Tazewell windmill saga

By CHARLES OWENS

TAZEWELL, Va. — Tazewell County leaders will tackle the controversial topic of wind turbines Tuesday during the first of two meetings that could determine the fate of a controversial East River Mountain project.

The board meets Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Tazewell Middle School, and will begin the wind turbine discussion at 7:30 p.m. At that time, John Anzivion, senior vice president of the Springsted Company, is scheduled to present the results of a wind turbine economic impact study to the board.

“I’m anticipating 45 minutes to an hour,” County Administrator Jim Spencer said of the length of the Springsted presentation. “My understanding is they will go in-depth in presenting their finding.”

Spencer said the board is not scheduled to receive public comment Tuesday on the wind turbines. Instead, a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 6:15 p.m. or soon thereafter at Tazewell High School to receive public comment on the proposed mountain ridge construction ordinance. If approved, the ordinance would regulate the construction of tall structures on certain ridgelines in Tazewell County, including East River Mountain.

Spencer said the board — and those from the public who attend Tuesday’s meeting — will need time to study the findings of the Springsted study.

“You need to digest the impact of this project whether you are for or against it,” Spencer said. “I think the supervisors are doing the right thing. That allows the public time to digest the information and speak accordingly.”

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.

Dominion continues to acquire wind data on a real-time basis on East River Mountain, and recently erected a second meteorological tower at the site, according to an earlier report by Emil Avram, director of business development for Dominion.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com