This brochure provides a quick, but informative, summary of the key issues pertaining to wind energy development in Virginia and the Appalachian region. The document can serve as a start point for others preparing similar information materials for their community. Click on the link(s) at the bottom of this page to view the final layout including photos.

Rick Webb's presentation on October 17 at the Energy Virginia conference provides a thought provoking analysis of the costs and benefits of industrial wind energy.

Q. Please state your name and position.

A. My name is Charles Simmons and I have been retained to provide assistance to Highland Citizens in regard to the application of Highland New Wind Development, LLC to construct a wind generation facility in Highland County.

Editor's Note:This testimony provides an excellent description of how a grid works- particularly the role of 'economic dispatch' and 'spinning reserves'. It also addresses the methodology for estimating emissions savings and numerous other topics of interest.

A Virginia Tech research center has concluded that more study is needed to determine a prudent plan for using so-called “green energy” in Virginia. A study was commissioned by Virginia Commission for Electric Utility Restructuring as the result of a series of meetings last year among renewable energy industry officials, lawmakers, state agencies, and environmental groups.

This flow chart, that accompanied Anne Adams' 'news' item 'Putting the Spin on Wind' (11/18/05) represents an initial effort to show the interconnections/collusion between the different entities working to promote wind development in Virginia.