Bennington Meeting Notes
3/25/04
The
Vermont Agency of Natural Resources’ Wind Power
Work Group held a public meeting at Mount Anthony Union
Middle School in Bennington, VT on March 23, 2004. Participants
were invited to respond to three questions that were
posed by the work group. These questions were:
The responses to these questions and the comments made
by those who spoke to the full group at the end of the
meeting are summarized below. Please note that the responses
are combined rather than being sorted by question because
many of the responses overlapped. The responses are presented
by topic, so that the reader can see the full range of
perspectives on a given topic.
Policy Development Process and the Role of the State
Consider our future energy needs in policy development
Support the moratorium to provide more time for policy
development
Create a new government entity to develop wind in VT
Develop a state-wide wind development plan before the ANR
policy
Policy needs to be developed without political influence
Develop a clear cost/benefits analysis and then hold a
public referendum
Coordinate with Department of Public Service in developing
a 20 to 25 year plan
Review projects through Act 250
Work group needs to make quick decision before the issue
goes to the legislature
Use examples from the outside of VT in developing a policy
ANR policy will effect the private development
Use of ANR Lands
Should not develop one of our most precious resources
No commercial development on public lands
Use the already developed lands first --wind towers and
ski areas should be developed together
ANR should be a leader in wind development
ANR should serve as a model for private lands
Should play a small role because state land has such little
potential
Should support if a majority of the state supports
All state lands should be evaluated for potential
There is not enough potential in VT for development on
state lands
Use state lands to earn money for the state
State land should be protected
Actively support more net-metering and wind/storage systems
to support traditional uses of land
Develop wind only on private lands, but hold up to state
standards
Only develop on lands where the original intent was for
development
State should promote development instead of acting as an
obstacle
Should be cautious and suspicious of developers reasons
Consider development by public entities
Information and Education Needed
Need an ANR supported wind power education effort for communities
and schools
Research on wind power needs to be consolidated
More access to information on small scale vs. large scale
wind power
Need to research the support for wind power in VT
Info re visual and noise impacts
Information on the latest technology
Comparison of the true costs of other energy development
Role
of Wind Power in Vermont’s Energy Mix
Develop incentives for energy conservation
Broad municipal support for renewable energy and efficiency
Wind should not be the focus of energy production
Reduce our reliance on fossil fuels
Plan ahead for new power sources, including wind to replace
current sources
Users need to accept the need for generation in their areas
Help break the “energy cartel” and lower prices
Economic Issues
Wind energy creates jobs in VT
Wind will damage VT’s tourism industry
If developed, how will wind be able to support future development
in VT
Provide incentives to manufacture turbine components in
VT
Cost per Kw hour in VT is one of the highest in the nation
Generate state revenue from wind development leases
Project Life Span and Decommissioning
Consider a performance bond to decommission when inefficient,
or out of date
Environmental Considerations
Impact on birds and animals
Bear habitat
Protect fragile high elevation sites
Erosion
Wind will help create a clean environment
Build sites on locations that don’t affect flyways
Protect unfragmented and old growth forests
Require that the turbines and parts be flown into the site
to reduce required road construction
Global warming is a looming threat
Visual Impacts
Use the Quechee Analysis to assess visual impacts
Vermont’s pristine natural resources are an important
part of our state, protect scenic views
Wind power development will have a negative impact on aesthetics
Wind power development will be fine aesthetically
Lighting will disturb views of otherwise pristine/undeveloped
rural VT
Minimize visual impacts with color and lights.
Limit the size of the towers to <200ft to avoid FAA
lighting
Recreation and Safety
De-icing equipment on turbines for safety
Limit speed of blade rotation to limit bird kill
Balance public access with safety
Consider the importance of recreation areas including hiking
trails
