A growing interest in bringing wind turbines to Southwest Virginia is prompting Bland County governing bodies to stay ahead of the breeze. With East River Mountain and neighboring Tazewell County being pitched as possible windmill sites, local officials are doing their homework.

"Wind energy is something that is on the horizon," remarked Bland County Administrator Jonathan D. Sweet. "With technology constantly changing, we have to look at our zoning ordinance to address that."

According to Sweet, the Bland County Board of Supervisors and the Economic Development Authority took a recent field trip to Grant County, W.Va., to see wind turbines in action. The Bland County Planning Commission will follow suit.

"We have not taken any action yet," Sweet added. "The Planning Commission wants to be able to make an informed recommendation."

Specific regulations regarding the often controversial issue of wind energy will be compiled by the Planning Commission. They will then be presented to the Board of Supervisors for approval before being added to the county's Comprehensive Plan, which guides the county's growth.

Strategic Consulting and Engineering pitched wind turbines to the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors earlier this year. A spokesman noted the energy producing source would provide jobs and other economic benefits for the area.

Opponents of wind turbine energy object to the 400-foot tall towers, which must be erected along ridges and mountain tops.

Sweet reported last year a representative from an energy company contacted him about the characteristics of the county. He declined to name the company.

Several private property owners in Bland County also have been contacted by a company seeking rights to use their land as the company develops sites to research future wind energy production.