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Wind turbines: VACo joins Tazewell opposition
January 25, 2013 by Bill Archer in Bluefield Daily Telegraph

Charles Stacy, eastern district representative on the board of supervisors said that the Virginia Association of Counties has expressed concerns about SB 1341, the renewable energy facilities; exemption from land use regulations," bill that was introduced in the General Assembly by State Senator Richard L. Saslaw, D-Springfield. "VACo is adamantly opposed to this bill for reasons other than windmills."

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Wind farm concerns aired in Floyd County
February 1, 2012 by Jeff Sturgeon in Roanoke Times

The Floyd County draft ordinance prohibits the construction, repair or improvement of structures more than 40 feet high on any ridge 2,000 feet or more above sea level and 500 feet or more above an adjacent valley floor, a geographical catchment area that covers much of Floyd County. The ordinance makes an exception for water, radio, telecommunications and television towers.

Floyd County ordinance likely wipes out wind turbines proposal
December 16, 2011 by Ken Heineck in WSLS

"I think this will help protect the natural beauty of the county, preserve the ridges," said Clinger. A public hearing on the potential ridge line ordinance is scheduled for January 31st, but supervisors do not expect much if any opposition.

Roanoke County supervisor wants to revisit wind turbine noise ordinance
October 13, 2011 by Katelyn Polantz in Roanoke Times

Elswick asked the county board of supervisors on Tuesday to rescind a 60-decibel maximum limit on large wind turbines. That policy regulates how loud the turbines can be at the nearest property lines. The 60-decibel limit is too high, Elswick said Tuesday.

The Roanoke County zoning amendment would place tighter restrictions on turbines
July 12, 2011 by Mason Adams in The Roanoke Times

No company has formally applied to build such turbines -- which can be well more than 400 feet in height, visible for miles and most likely targeted for ridgelines. But Chicago-based Invenergy has announced plans for 18 on Poor Mountain and received Federal Aviation Administration approval for all but three.

Bland board shares wind ordinance with neighboring counties
January 10, 2011 by Bill Archer in Bluefield Daily Telegraph

The renewed interest in the development of wind energy in southern West Virginia and southwestern Virginia prompted officials of Bland County to share the text of their wind energy facility ordinance with county governments in neighboring counties.

Mountain protection: Two county leaders say Mercer should consider ridgeline ordinance
December 26, 2010 by Greg Jordan in Bluefield Daily Telegraph

Mercer County currently does not have a ridgeline protection ordinance that would regulate the height of structures constructed atop the county's mountains. Two people planning to serve on the Mercer County Commission have said that the county should consider such a rule. "In my opinion, I don't like it myself," Mike Vinciguerra of Bluefield said when asked about the idea of wind turbines erected in the county.

Also filed under [ Transmission]

County studies wind energy rules; No applications for turbines submitted yet
December 1, 2010 by Carol Vaughn in The Daily Times

County officials are in the process of considering provisions to also allow utility scale wind energy systems with a conditional-use permit in the business and industrial zoning districts, Planning Director Jim McGowan said.

BP admits mistake on wind tower in Botetourt County
August 10, 2010 by Elizabeth Harrington in WDBJ TV 7

Oil giant BP broke the rules in Botetourt County. A company official admits they built a 198 foot tower last year without permission.

Planning commission drafting wind energy ordinance in Tazewell County
February 10, 2010 by Charles Owens in Bluefield Daily Telegraph

Planning commission members are putting the finishing touches on a proposed ordinance that would regulate the construction of wind turbines across Tazewell County. The draft ordinance would regulate everything from setbacks with regards to wattage generated by wind turbines to the distance wind turbines could be erected from a road and the decibel volume of the tall structures.

County signs off on wind turbines
December 11, 2009 by Brandon Shulleeta in Daily Progress

...in the ninth inning, Supervisor Dennis S. Rooker rallied support for restrictions aimed to limit noise and visual disturbances. Rooker argued Wednesday that wind turbines should be permitted only in rural areas, and should be erected no closer to neighboring property than 150 feet. Supervisors passed a version of Rooker's proposal Thursday when they amended a county zoning code to allow wind turbines no taller than 35 feet.

Planning Commission: Allow wind turbines
October 7, 2009 by Brandon Shulleeta in Charlottesville Daily Progress

Albemarle County Planning Commission members sent a clear message Tuesday: The county should allow wind turbines. Turbines are prohibited in Albemarle, but the Planning Commission unanimously approved a resolution calling for the county to allow small power-generating wind turbines. However, some specifics about where turbines should be allowed and what restrictions should be established were left up in the air.

York planning staff told to craft wind turbine rules
September 30, 2009 by Jon Cawley in Daily Press

York officials have taken the first steps toward crafting wind turbine regulations. At a Wednesday night Planning Commission work session, the five commissioners in attendance were unanimous in their support for regulations that would permit the use of wind turbines for generating electricity. During the lengthy discussion, commissioners differed on how regulations should be applied.

York tilts gently at energy windmills
September 26, 2009 by Amanda Kerr in Virginia Gazette

The Planning Commission will consider during a work session next week whether York County should create a zoning ordinance allowing wind turbines in neighborhoods. ...Planning staff suggest proceeding slowly. "The lack of any first-hand, real-world experience with wind turbines anywhere in the region probably calls for a cautious approach," one document cautions.

Nelson County wind use rules forming
September 15, 2009 by Bryan Gentry in The News and Advance

If speed tests this year show that the wind is powerful enough, the school could buy a wind turbine to make electricity, said Bonnie Holliday, development director. "We sit in a very windy spot, so we might be able to have some great energy produced by the turbine and reduce our costs," she said. A number of homeowners in the region are feeling the same winds and thinking much the same thing.

Wise OKs zoning change to allow wind energy project
September 9, 2009 by Steve Igo in Kingsport Times-News

Wind energy got the welcome mat and elk the boot Thursday before the Wise County Board of Supervisors. The board approved without discussion a zoning change to allow development of a wind energy project now under consideration by Virginia Dominion Power and BP Wind Energy. The two companies have been assessing the viability of erecting 50 to 60 wind turbines in the county along the Kentucky border along an area stretching north of Big Stone Gap to northwest of Pound.

Planning commision seeks feedback on proposed wind turbine ordinance
July 29, 2009 by Erin McGrath in Nelson County Times

The Nelson County Planning Commission took comments from the public at its July 22 meeting on a proposed ordinance that would regulate small wind turbine energy systems used for electrical generation within Nelson County. ...The ordinance came about because there are several people in the county interested in using small wind energy systems.

Closer, but no cigar; Grueling wind plan review continues
July 22, 2009 by Anne Adams in The Recorder Online

A third meeting of county officials reviewing HNWD's plans was held at a brisk pace this week. The Technical Review Committee of county administrator Roberta Lambert and building official Jim Whitelaw is sorting through a checklist of conditions Highland New Wind Development must meet before it can get a green light for construction. Opponents of the 38-megawatt electric utility are pushing to hold the county, and HNWD, accountable for meeting their responsibilities, raising questions about erosion control, wetlands protection, proper maps, and other concerns.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Highland New Wind's loss of green credentials
July 12, 2009 in Virginia Wind

A month ago HNWD development made national news when its public relations firm announced that Virginia's first utility scale wind project was ready to start construction. As indicated here, that was a blatant misrepresentation. HNWD does not have a building permit, does not have an Erosion and Sediment Control permit, does not have approval from the FAA, has not satisfied the permit conditions imposed by the State Corporation Commission (SCC), and has not obtained an Endangered Species Act permit.

Also filed under [ Impact on Wildlife| Impact on Landscape]

Big changes delay action on ridgeline ordinance
May 15, 2009 by Charles Owens in Bluefield Daily Telegraph

A recommendation on a proposed ordinance that could regulate the development of windmills along East River Mountain has been delayed until June. The Tazewell County Planning Commission delayed action on the proposed mountain ridgeline ordinance Thursday ...The planning commission is mulling over changes recommended by a tall structures steering committee.

Also filed under [ West Virginia]

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