This Week: Charlotte Solar, Lowell Debate, GMP Merger & More
Energize Vermont is working on a documentary examining the different paths we could take to a renewable energy future. We have a bit more to go before we are done, but in the mean time we have put together a short feature taking a look at some of the issues with utility-scale development from a community prospective, and how community-oriented projects are a better fit for the state. We don’t hold much back in this 20 minute short feature, and I really think you should watch it. Take a moment to watch it atVermontEnergyOptions.org, let me know what you think and share it with friends. We also have DVDs of this feature available if you want a copy.
This week’s renewable energy news starts at the usual source of the most news, the Lowell wind project. I’d describe the last couple of weeks as a holiday fueled hostile quiet period at the site, with no major events in the news. However, GMP upped security at the site over concerns and got flack for wanting to avoid having the turbine elevators inspected. The Lowell Mountain Occupation is planning an open house for this Sunday. If you haven’t been to the site and seen the blasting and construction first hand, I recommend taking this trip. It’s a great way to go with other people and get some questions answered no matter where you stand on the project. The Mountain Occupation also linked GMP’s ownership to major oil interests and players in tar sands development. The two Sterling College students who were arrested at the site a couple of weeks ago plead “Not Guilty.”
Every week more people speak out about the Lowell wind project. This week had Sen. Peter Galbraith coming forward to say he is going to propose legislation this session that would give the surrounding communities to wind turbines projects more say. Will Wilquist of the Green Mountain Club continued to oppose lifting the ban on turbines on state land. On Tuesday morning I appeared alongside Candice Shaffer on WGDR’s Morning News program to talk about the issues surrounding the Lowell project. Paul Brouha spoke out about what it is like to now live amongst a wind project. Questions were answered about exactly who the Mountain Occupiers were. And lastly, the Montpelier Bridge came out with an editorial urging people to “Stop the Lowell Wind Project.”
The Town of Charlotte had its own debate over renewable energy the last couple of months. AllEarth Renewables proposed doing a town owned/leased PV solar project down on Thompson’s Point. The town was largely split on it, and ultimately the Select Board decided not to pursue the project. Days later the Free Press reported a solar developer is eying the town for a 2.2 MW installation.
The GMP and CVPS merger debate continues as well. Sen. Vincent Illuzzi’s request to intervene in the merger case was granted by the PSB, allowing him to call experts to testify in the process. He is continuing to push for an independent counsel to represent the people. I’d argue when it comes to a merger to create one massive utility in the state, the people and ratepayers of Vermont probably can’t be over-represented in front of the PSB.
I’d like to remind readers that if you want to keep up on renewable energy news throughout the week we keep a running archive of articles and information at EnergizeVermont.org. Also, are you on Facebook? Like us today to stay up on the latest news.
A quick reminder we are collecting the energy opinions of Vermonters in their own voices at the other end of 802-546-1212. We’d love to hear what you have to say about energy in Vermont. You can call anytime.
I’ll be at the VECAN conference in Fairlee tomorrow, if you are there I look forward to seeing you and talking about community energy.
Have a great weekend and don’t forget to watch Vermont’s Energy Options,
Luke
Reposted from VTDigger. Editor’s note: Dick Trudell is the founder of Trudell Consulting Engineers and lives in Grand Isle. I’m a civil engineer. It is my job to make things come together, the combining of physical components with a goal in mind. The goal might be a water system to supply clean water, grading …
Reposted from Orleans County Record. NEWPORT CITY — A superior court judge has denied retired farmers Don and Shirley Nelson’s appeal of a court order banning protests within a blast safety zone near the Lowell wind project. The denial comes days before the preliminary injunction expires. Every denial in court gives Green …
Reposted from Bennington Banner. BENNINGTON — Green Mountain Power Corp.’s pending acquisition of Central Vermont Public Service Corp. will allow for better service and cost-savings for ratepayers, according to GMP CEO Mary Powell. “The value proposition of bringing us together is really simple — by creating one great team we’re going to provide better …
Reposted from Seven Days Blog. Watching politics is akin to watching sausage-making — i.e., not for the squeamish or weak kneed. Opponents of industrial wind development on Vermont’s ridgelines are hoping the view from high atop Lowell Mountain will have a similar effect on anyone who is still undecided on this contentious issue. For …
Reposted from Seven Days. Green Mountain Power has become Vermont’s favorite whipping boy. Whether it’s for blasting on Lowell Mountain to make way for industrial wind development, or its proposed merger with Central Vermont Public Service, the state’s largest utility has garnered plenty of critics in the past few months. Sen. Vince Illuzzi (R-Essex/ …
Reposted from Rutland Herald. By Thatcher Moats VERMONT PRESS BUREAU – Published: November 30, 2011 MONTPELIER — Sen. Peter Galbraith, a Windham County Democrat who opposes the gas industry practice of hydraulic fracturing and the building of wind turbines on Vermont ridgelines, will introduce separate bills next year to address the controversial energy issues. …
Reposted from VTDigger. An October motion before the Vermont Public Service Board rejuvenates an old fear for some: new transmission lines through Vermont from Quebec to Southern New England. Sen. Vince Illuzzi, R-Essex-Orleans, in a motion to intervene in the board proceeding relating to a merger of the state’s two largest utilities, says Vermont …
Reposted from Orleans County Record. Sheffield Wind To the Editor: I don’t have to wonder what it will be like anymore — now, with 16 wind turbines 420 feet high and their 153 foot long blades rotating, I know. Much of the time their often pulsating roar is like living near an eight-lane beltway or …
Reposted from VTDigger. Sen. Vincent Illuzzi has struck an uneasy truce with the Shumlin administration over the way it will handle its review of the biggest utility merger in the state’s history. In exchange for holding his fire in the latest round of legal parries with regulators and the players in the utility industry, …
Reposted from Caledonian-Record. More questions than answers To the Editor: Before any wind turbines are built, there are still more questions than answers to theLowell Wind Project. There are questions about the very premise for building industrialwind on ridgelines and why it is so important to do it now. There is no clear …
Reposted from Caledonian Record. LOWELL — Green Mountain Power has hired extra security for the Lowell wind project. That’s because the worksite on the ridgeline is shut down and quiet for a four-day long weekend, GMP spokesman Don Lorraine said Friday. The site has had one security officer, but another has been added …
Reposted from VTDigger. The Vermont Department of Public Service is not alone as it formulates a position for what would be the best thing to do with the Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) — the utility that manages most transmission lines in the state. A public records request by VTDigger.org shows a handful of …
Reposted from Burlington Free Press. The Charlotte Planning Commission will review on Thursday a proposal by Solar Charlotte LLC to build a solar field consisting of 345 ground-mounted solar arrays north of Hinesburg Road and west of Spear Street. Last week, the town Selectboard voted 4-1 not to accept a proposal by AllEarth Renewables …
Reposted from Brattleboro Reformer. BRATTLEBORO — Windham County Sen. Peter Galbraith announced Monday his plans to introduce legislation banning a controversial gas-producing practice and wind projects on Vermont-owned property. Galbraith, a first-term Democrat from Townshend, said his measures would prohibit hydro-fracking, a practice for producing gas from shale rock, and ban wind projects on …
Reposted from VTDigger. The Lowell Mountain Occupiers will hold a second “Mountaintop Open House” on the ridgeline adjacent to the Lowell Wind Project on Sunday, December 4th. “The purpose of the Open House is to allow people to see what’s happening on the mountain and have their questions answered in a non-judgmental, non-confrontational setting,” …
Reposted from Bennington Banner. Monday November 28, 2011 Who are the Mountain Occupiers? I’ve read several statements that indicate there’s confusion on who is occupying the Lowell Mountains; what they’re doing and why; and how many people are actually involved. As one of those occupiers, I would like to alleviate this confusion. The …
Reposted from Burlington Free Press. In a 20-minute meeting Friday, the Charlotte Selectboard voted 4 to 1 not to go forward with a proposal for 14 solar trackers on Thompson’s Point. The board had previouslyheld six public hearings on the proposal by AllEarth Renewables, Inc. to install and maintain the panels and to sell electricity …
Reposted from Burlington Free Press. For the past 25 years, the Green Mountain Club has worked with private landowners, the state of Vermont, the U.S. Forest Service and other like-minded organizations to conserve more than 25,000 acres of land near the Long Trail, adding much of it to the state forest system. We have …
