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
Great job in meeting organization and structure
Public needs more info before being asked to comment
Working papers and fact sheets are excellent work
Develop thoughtful policy using proposed policy development
timeline
Expand current process timeline – public needs time
to understand the issues
Public comment is critical
Develop integrated public-private policy for the state –consolidate
current piecemeal efforts
Need longer range integrated planning re wind development
that includes energy usage, distribution, production patterns
and that includes the industrial and transportation sectors
Consider future technological innovations in policy
Define problem—local, state or national?
Develop board to work on wind development issues and
collect accurate info
248 review process isn’t sufficient
Make restrictions as easy as possible to comply with
Ease permitting process for small wind
Town votes support wind power
Take a middle course
Be decisive
ANR should work w/ other agencies re climate change issues
Policy for public lands will affect private lands
Use of ANR Lands
Abide by ANR mission statement –“protect, enhance
and sustain”
ANR policy should apply to all ANR lands, not just those
that are currently economically viable
Don’t let developers run the show
Public lands affected by pollution from fossil fuels
Wind development is in the public good because it replaces
coal, nuclear and oil generation
Wind power development has as much public good as ski
areas and cell towers
Fully develop wind on private lands before developing
public lands
Wind development on ANR lands should be a last resort
Develop prioritized list of ANR sites
Co-locate wind development w/ mountaintop communication
facilities and ski areas
Windy sites are precious natural resources that should
be developed
Prohibit large scale wind development
Proceed cautiously and take into account corporate interests
Develop small scale wind for state facilities including
parks
Include provisions for local control, get accurate cross-section
of local opinion
User fees
Distribute impacts equitably
Information and Education Needed
Take proactive role in developing accurate info and in
educating the public
Articulate tradeoffs of various energy sources
Info re impacts of conventional power generation on forest,
air, water
Visual analyses
Comprehensive, long-term environmental impact studies
Cost/benefit analysis to assess tradeoffs
Economic impact study including tourism
Hire neutrals to develop scientific info
Compare negative aspects of wind w/ those of other fuels
Needs assessment—how much energy do we need? What does
wind power cost?
Educate public re energy use, sustainability and wind
development
Impact of Vermont’s efforts on state, region and
country
Info re new wind technology, might it be viable to site
projects below ridgelines?
Info re experience of other states/countries
Research impacts on tourism and ways to minimize negative
impacts
Role
of Wind Power in Vermont’s
Energy Mix
Need energy sources to replace VT Yankee and Hydro Quebec
Depletion of fossil fuel resources; need to decrease
reliance on fossil fuels
Increased energy independence leads to reduced political
tensions
Increase renewable energy sources & funding for alternative
energy development and Efficiency Vermont
Consider legislation to subsidize small wind development
Increase alternative energy resources for consumers and
developers –solar, hydro and wind
Diversify Vermont’s energy portfolio
Investment in wind power is overdue
Wind power is a symbolic gesture that doesn’t fix anything
Retrofit Connecticut River dams instead of wind development
State should provide incentives for fossil fuel use reduction
and for wind power development
Mandate energy conservation; the most efficient kilowatt
is the one that isn’t used
Keep all renewable power instate -- don’t export
power from wind generation
Vermont should be a leader in wind power development
Consider future technological advances (e.g. off shore
energy potential)
Intermittent nature of wind
Wind can’t replace base load
Vermont has high electric rates
Wind can’t be sited near areas of high energy useage
Selling credits out of state makes Vermont a “pollution
enabler”
Pick 8-10 best sites in Vermont and develop them for
wind
Limit sites to one or two
Site wind projects near ski areas --they use lots of
power, they should produce some
Economic Issues
Economic benefits of local jobs, construction and operations
income and tax revenue generation
Ensure that projects are economically viable
Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) will lead to higher
electric rates
Wind power less vulnerable to price fluctuations and
politics
Positive impacts on tourism
Negative impacts on tourism
Impact on property values probably minimal
Ridgelines part of Vermont “brand”
Make turbines a tourist attraction, as in Nebraska
Environmental Considerations
Ridgelines are a priceless spiritual resource
Preserve wilderness
Need to decrease emissions globally
Wind doesn’t produce mercury or nuclear waste
Acid rain
Impacts of global warming on wildlife, snow, weather
patterns
Environmental issues should take precedence over aesthetics
Low frequency noise
Impact on birds and other wildlife
Habitat fragmentation
Vegetation
Impact on streams and water quality
Erosion
Site wind projects in areas w/ lesser environmental and
visual impacts
Visual Impacts
Visual impacts are only downside of wind
Visual impacts limited because number of viable sites
is limited
Develop areas w/ existing visual impacts—ski areas
and cell towers
Would rather see turbines than smokestacks
Turbines are beautiful, majestic
Turbines are ugly
It’s possible to make turbines attractive
Consider impacts to towns within the viewshed, not just
host town
Consider FAA lighting requirements
Recreation and Safety
Wind is safer than other energy sources
Ice throw and its effect on recreational access
Maintenance and Decommissioning
Require decommissioning funds for towers, transmission
lines and other infrastructure
Require decommissioning plans for all energy projects
