Because of the above investigation and because we believe the Sheffield project will have a strong negative impact on tourism, property values and housing starts, economics, and our environment, many of us supported a town plan revision that would exclude large-scale industrial wind development on Barton's ridge lines. Our revision, however, does encourage small-scale wind turbines as well as other forms of renewable energy such as hydro, biomass, solar, and energy conservation. While the town plan cannot regulate energy producing facilities since the Vermont State Public Service Board issues commercial wind turbine permits, the Public Service Board will look at our town plan and try to honor its goals.

On July 15, Attorney General Cuomo launched an investigation into wind power companies' conduct across upstate New York. Subpoenas were served on First Wind (formerly known as UPC Wind) and Nobel Environmental Power, LLC. First Wind is the developer involved in the Sheffield wind project.

The subpoenas were served because in recent months the Attorney General of New York received numerous complaints regarding the two companies from citizens, groups, and public officials in eight counties alleging improper relations between the companies and local officials and other improper practices. These objections parallel similar complaints about UPC in Maine and in Sheffield.

Because of the above investigation and because we believe the Sheffield project will have a strong negative impact on tourism, property values and housing starts, economics, and our environment, many of us supported a town plan revision that would exclude large-scale industrial wind development on Barton's ridge lines. Our revision, however, does encourage small-scale wind turbines as well as other forms of renewable energy such as hydro, biomass, solar, and energy conservation.

While the town plan cannot regulate energy producing facilities since the Vermont State Public Service Board issues commercial wind turbine permits, the Public Service Board will look at our town plan and try to honor its goals. If we do not specifically name mountains and views that we wish to protect as unique and scenic, and if we encourage all kinds of renewable power or leave the plan as is, the state will assume that we do not care about the scenic protection of our ridge lines.

On January 16, 2007, at a special town meeting, over two hundred citizens voted unanimously to oppose the Sheffield project. After listening to impassioned citizens opposing large-scale wind development since April of 2006, continuing through this year at three public hearings and at many selectmen's meetings, two Barton selectmen have chosen to ignore the outcome of all those meetings. Their version of the town plan encourages commercial wind turbine development. If their version is voted up or down, we leave ourselves wide open for large-scale wind development. Our version, if voted up, would exclude such development while, if voted down, would allow large-scale industrial development. By manipulating the town plan wording so that an up or down vote would support their pro-wind position, the select board has chosen to rule over its citizens rather than represent them. The selectmen's approach is to allow industrial wind development without knowing the outcome of the Sheffield project or the pending New York UPC investigation. Our approach is close the door now, wait and see what the outcomes will be, then if Barton citizens want to change the plan - which can be done at any time - they can. Our approach is based on common sense and good planning.

The selectmen at the Barton Memorial Building, August 21, will hold a public hearing on the town plan revision at 7 p.m. Please attend. For more information and for what you can do to help preserve Barton's scenic heritage, please call 525-6606 or 525-3680. To get the facts about industrial wind development, go to: www.windaction.org or www.ridgeprotectors.org.

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