Recently, the Public Service Board made history. With the stroke of a pen, three men reversed a century of work by Vermont citizens to preserve this state's historic landscape. Chairman James Volz, David Cohen, and John Burke opened the door to the largest industrial ridgeline development project in our state's history. Unfortunately, this will become their legacy.

Recently, the Public Service Board made history. With the stroke of a pen, three men reversed a century of work by Vermont citizens to preserve this state's historic landscape.

Chairman James Volz, David Cohen, and John Burke opened the door to the largest industrial ridgeline development project in our state's history.

Unfortunately, this will become their legacy.

This development will sit on top of a popular summer lake, surround a school, state parks, and public beaches, and echo through a valley of towns and nearby homes.

Picturing what this type of development will look like is easy. Nearly every other state has it -- except Vermont. New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia, or Tennessee, all of these states were once like Vermont.

Backed by huge corporate investors, foreign industrial wind developers wield a big stick in Montpelier. Highly paid lobbyists travel the halls of our Statehouse and our state agencies. They court Vermont companies and spend big to win votes and influence legislation where Vermont communities once had a voice.

Let's hope our Vermont legislators don't add to regret by giving these investors special tax breaks. Instead, doubling the industrial wind tax could ease the loss of our homes, neighbors, revenue, and surrounding landscape.

Many of us will forgive the burdens imposed on us by this board. Let's hope future generations will forgive them when we show them pictures of Vermont and what it "used to look like."

Web link: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...