A Georgia family is preparing to seek state approval for three 400-foot wind turbines atop Georgia Mountain, the first commercial wind project to be proposed for Chittenden County.

The wind farm would have the capacity to generate up to six megawatts of electricity, enough to supply the yearly needs of 2,000 households, the company's consultants say.

"We're a pretty independent family. We love the idea of renewable energy," Jim Harrison said last week.

"We believe what this state needs is power, independent power, not something we have to depend on Iran or Iraq for," said Harrison. He is the founder of Harrison Concrete Construction Co., a 60-to-70-employee business he runs with his wife, son and daughter.

Harrison said the project would start with three turbines on land the family owns. The Harrisons are negotiating with other Vermont companies interested in majority ownership and operation of the wind farm; the family would hold an equity stake in the project.

Two more turbines could be added in the future if the family leases land from an adjoining property owner, he said.

If all goes as planned, Georgia Mountain Community Wind will file an application with the state Public Service Board by Jan. 1. If the project wins approval, the turbines would be installed in 2010.

The Harrisons' proposal differs from most of the dozen other wind projects in the Vermont pipeline.

It is small by wind-industry standards, would be locally owned and would be located not on a remote ridgeline, but within sight of travelers on Interstate 89 in the state's most populous county.

Nevertheless, like other wind projects, this one faces an uncertain environment when it comes to public and regulatory approval.

Each Vermont wind project proposed in the last five years has had strong supporters, but also fierce opposition. Gov. Jim Douglas has opposed construction of wind farms on Vermont mountains.

The Harrisons' project has not prompted any organized opposition thus far. They presented their ideas early on to abutting property owners and to town officials in four communities.

"We all agreed at the beginning, if the town of Milton doesn't want this, we're going to walk away," said Kevin Harrison, Jim Harrison's son and president of the concrete company.

After a briefing in May, Milton's selectboard applauded the project.

"Personally I want to say this is a fantastic idea. I support wind power, despite what some people say is a view issue," Selectwoman Diana Palm was quoted as saying in a local newspaper.

Last week, resident Kevin Endres echoed that view. He would have a clear view of the towers from his home on Hunting Ridge Lane. "We need explore all energy options. I find wind towers majestic," he said. "I'd be a strong supporter."

Others are less enthusiastic.

"We're not thrilled," said Virginia Mongeon, who has lived at the base of Georgia Mountain for 43 years. She described the proposal as "sad and scary," saying she worried about truck traffic, turbine noise and accidents like the recent collapse of a 10-year-old wind tower in Searsburg.

"I think wind power is a good thing," said Tina Fitzgerald, whose home sits below the west face of the mountain. "But the huge wind turbines are unsightly. If a person wants to power their home, I think it is great. Wind farms, not so much."

Georgia Mountain is a long, low ridge running north and south just east of Arrowhead Lake on the Milton-Georgia border. Yearly average wind speed is just under 17 miles per hour.

Once, that would have been insufficient wind for a commercial project.

"Ten years ago, power prices were half what they are now," said John Zimmerman of Vermont Environmental Research Associates, a wind energy consulting firm employed by the Harrisons. "As the cost of power from other sources becomes higher, the more marginal wind terrain becomes attractive."

While Georgia Mountain is heavily wooded, it is not pristine. A communications tower perches at the southern end; ATV trails criss-cross the summit. The mountain looks out over homes on North Road and the Husky plastics plant.

Jim Harrison said he understands that wind farms in rural areas have faced opposition.

"We kind of think the Champlain Valley is the most developed part of Vermont, so maybe this place isn't quite so sacred," he said one afternoon last week as the family sat around a conference table in the construction company office. "There's got to be a situation for windpower that works in Vermont."

"And we're hoping we're it," added his wife, Janet.