This Week: Energy Plan Input, Brattleboro Energy Mtg, Lowell Stay and more – 9/16/11
The big news this week came when the Department of Public Service (DPS) released the draft of the State’s Comprehensive Energy Plan. The DPS is asking Vermonters to download the plan and review it. They are holding several public hearings across the state over the coming weeks. Please consider attending if you have an interest in the final version. The best comments are those that are VERY specific. We will be providing a copy of the draft with highlights and comments for folks looking for more information (stay tuned to our website.) Below are the dates for the public hearings and you can also make a comment online at the Plan’s website.
- September 27th (7-9 p.m.) – Middlebury High School (73 Charles Avenue)
- September 28th (7-9 p.m.) – Brattleboro High School (131 Fairground Road)
- September 29th (7-9 p.m.) – Rutland High School (22 Stratton Road)
- October 3rd (7-9 p.m.) – Colchester High School (131 Laker Lane)
- October 6th (7-9 p.m.) – Danville School (148 Peacham Road)
The Caledonian-Record reported that the Missisquoi river was under review to be potentially designated as a “wild and scenic river.” This would impact renewable energy in the area in two ways. First, it would prevent the construction of any hydro generation facilities within the designated area. Secondly, parts of the river are within close range of the Lowell wind project and that project could have impacts on the river through water quality and aesthetics.
The town’s of Albany and Craftsbury asked for a stay of construction for the Lowell wind project from the Vermont Supreme Court. The Barton Chronicle covered this request and you can read it in our documents section. We also posted some recent photos of what the newly constructed Lowell wind project “lay-down” area looks like, as well as some photos of the ridgeline before construction starts at upper elevations. The Caledonian-Record also reported that GMP and VEC have begun construction on the transmission line upgrade that will allow GMP to get power from the project to the grid.
Lastly this week, it is worth noting that even though not directly related to renewables, the Federal Court case between the State of Vermont and Entergy that may decide the future of Vermont Yankee concluded this week. You can read some good coverage on VTDigger. Also in Windham County, on Wednesday we had a wonderful meeting with about 20 Brattleboro area residents concerned about energy and sustainability in their community. We came up with some good ideas for taking action and would love for you to be involved if you live in the area. Let me know if you are interested.
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Have a great weekend,
Luke
The PSB recently made a site visit to Georgia Mountain to examine whether the landowner and wind project developer was actually starting construction with the project without approval. The PSB made a determination that although construction activity was present, it was not related to the wind project. You can read their decision in PSD format …
Reposted here from the Caledonian-Record. Robin Smith Staff Writer LOWELL — A committee preparing for the protection of the upper Missisquoi and Trout rivers in northern Vermont wants to know if anyone wants to build a hydroelectric facility there. If so, now is the time to come forward. The committee of area residents …
This week’s edition of the Barton Chronicle covered the Towns of Craftsbury and Albany’s request for a stay of construction from the Vermont Supreme Court on the Lowell wind project. It also included several letters to the editor. You can download the relevant pages in PDF.
Download all documents filed with the PSB in the Lowell wind project case in Zip archive format. Zip includes: Craftsbury & Albany responses to GMP’s opposition to motion to revoke CPG Additional Craftsbury & Albany appeal documents GMP Blasting notices and responses
Download the State’s latest draft of the Comprehensive Energy Plan in PDF format. Public input on the draft is requested at the following events: September 27th (7-9 p.m.) – Middlebury High School (73 Charles Avenue) September 28th (7-9 p.m.) – Brattleboro High School (131 Fairground Road) September 29th (7-9 p.m.) – Rutland High School (22 Stratton Road) October …
The photos below were taken on 9/11/11. They show the construction of the lay-down area and a couple of the ridge before construction takes place on it.
Reposted here from the Caledonian-Record. Robin Smith Staff Writer Vermont Electric Cooperative began work this week to upgrade power lines that would carry electricity from Lowell wind turbines. The upgrades are to 16.9 miles of the co-op’s transmission system located in the towns of Jay, Westfield and Lowell. The project will replace …
Reposted here from the Caledonian-Record. Robin Smith Staff Writer State regulators said this week they won’t stop Green Mountain Power from preparing groundwork for the Lowell wind project. The Vermont Public Service Board denied motions by the towns of Albany and Craftsbury and the Lowell Mountain Group to stop construction pending appeals. …
Download an archive with all the documents filed in the Lowell wind PSB case during the weeks of 8-29-11, 9-5-11. Included in the archive are: The PSB’s decision on remediation due to the landowners errors PSB’s decision on stay pending appeal Town’s, LMG’s filings and letters GMP’s filings
