Greenbrier CVB opposes wind farm after prompt from Lewisburg mayor

The move came after a 10-minute presentation by Dave Groberg of Invenergy, the project director for the proposed $300 million Beech Ridge wind farm slated for northwestern Greenbrier County.

Holding up an issue of a Tucker County visitors guide displaying a photo of a windmill turbine on its front cover, Groberg said it has not been proved that windmills detract from tourism.

“I’ve seen where folks have been putting out comments saying the turbines will reduce tourism,” he told the 12-member board. “Clearly they don’t think that it’s bad for tourism in Tucker County. In most places where there is an opportunity, it actually helps tourism. It’s not a big plus, but it’s seen as positive.”

In Texas and other states, driving tours are specifically made so cars can travel past the turbines, he said. The Greenbrier plan calls for 125 turbines, each approximately 400 feet tall.

When Groberg asked if the board had any questions, Lewisburg Mayor John Manchester said he had spent a lot of time in the Cold Knob area, where the project is planned. He said it’s an area he tells visitors to go see when they come into Lewisburg.

“I see the viewshed as one of the assets I sell as tourism for our county,” Manchester told Gro-berg. “That’s a very pristine area. I don’t buy the argument that these wind turbines will enhance our ability to market this area.”

Manchester said the CVB’s sole mission is to look at how the county can be marketed for tourism, and turbines do not fit the plan.

“I actually buy the argument that these turbines will take away from what we are trying to market in Greenbrier County. It doesn’t make sense to me to compromise an asset we already have.”

Groberg said he was “sorry” to hear Manchester’s negative views on the turbine project and reminded the mayor that most ridges would not have turbines on them. He also said the turbines would not be visible from Lewisburg.

“Talk to people in Tucker County; they will tell you they are marketing the turbines as outdoor activity,” he said. “At first it might not seem the perfect fit, but I understand where you are coming from.”

Board member Bob Neff said during a recent trip to California the wind farms he saw “were not that offensive to me and interesting to look at.” Board member Mike Kidd queried whether the organization had the right “to dictate to what a person can or cannot do with their own private property.” Timber giant Mead Westvaco owns the lion’s share of the land which the turbines would sit on. Both members eventually voted in favor of opposing the turbines.

Later in the meeting, Manchester made the motion to have a letter drafted showing CVB opposition to the wind farm and requested the letter be forwarded to the state Public Service Commission, which is reviewing the project. The motion passed by a 12-0 tally.

Board member Pam West said there was a good reason why some may feel there isn’t much going on in terms of tourism in the Cold Knob area, as Groberg alluded.

“Well, that’s why the area is so pristine; that’s the attraction,” she said.