Vermont State Land Wind Power Policy

Killington/Mendon Meeting Notes
3/20/04

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources’ Wind Power Work Group held a public meeting at the Cortina Inn in Mendon, VT on March 20, 2004. Participants were invited to respond to three questions that were posed by the work group. These questions were:

Why is wind power a significant issue for you?
What role should ANR lands play in regard to wind energy development?
What should the Work Group take into consideration in developing a policy regarding wind power development (both commercial and net-metering) on ANR lands?

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