Florida Court allows wind farm; Opponents rejected in their challenge to 20-turbine project
Berkshire Eagle |Scott Stafford|July 7, 2010
Developers of a $45 million, 30-megawatt wind farm are free to move ahead with construction following a ruling in the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on Tuesday in favor of the project's wetland permit. ..."We are obviously disappointed, but the court has made its final decision," said Eleanor Tillinghast, executive director of Green Berkshires.
Developers of a $45 million, 30-megawatt wind farm are free to move ahead with construction following a ruling in the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on Tuesday in favor of the project's wetland permit. ..."We are obviously disappointed, but the court has made its final decision," said Eleanor Tillinghast, executive director of Green Berkshires.
FLORIDA -- Developers of a $45 million, 30-megawatt wind farm are free to move ahead with construction following a ruling in the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on Tuesday in favor of the project's wetland permit.
The ruling ends a six-year legal tussle over wetland permitting. The project known as Hoosac Wind, proposed by New England Wind LLC and owned by Iberdrola Renewables, calls for 20 turbines to be built on Bakke Mountain in Florida and Crum Hill in Monroe.
The Supreme Judicial Court found that a DEP commissioner's decision approving the project in 2007 was supported by substantial evidence.
"We are obviously disappointed, but the court has made its final decision," said Eleanor Tillinghast, executive director of Green …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]FLORIDA -- Developers of a $45 million, 30-megawatt wind farm are free to move ahead with construction following a ruling in the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on Tuesday in favor of the project's wetland permit.
The ruling ends a six-year legal tussle over wetland permitting. The project known as Hoosac Wind, proposed by New England Wind LLC and owned by Iberdrola Renewables, calls for 20 turbines to be built on Bakke Mountain in Florida and Crum Hill in Monroe.
The Supreme Judicial Court found that a DEP commissioner's decision approving the project in 2007 was supported by substantial evidence.
"We are obviously disappointed, but the court has made its final decision," said Eleanor Tillinghast, executive director of Green Berkshires, one of two groups that challenged the project in court. "We have the option to ask the court for reconsideration, but we're not going to do that."
"We are extremely pleased by the Court's decision," said Paul Copleman, a spokesman for Iberdrola Renewables. "The decision affirms our thoughtful and responsive approach to the environment while developing the Hoosac wind farm, as well as the DEP's attentive permitting process that guides our efforts to build it."
He added that the company will soon be moving forward with the project.
Tillinghast noted that officials at Green Berkshires were concerned about the wetland permitting process and what affect it might have on future projects, unrelated to wind power, in wetland areas.
"We don't have any regrets," she added. "We did the right thing."
"It's probably the right ruling," said state Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams. "But we still need to take a careful look at where we put wind mills in the future. We certainly don't want them placed willy nilly all over the place."
The proposed project plans two gravel access roads, one of which would cross 12 intermittent streams.
A group of nearby residents and Green Berkshires sued, seeking review of a decision that the project complied with the Wetlands Protection Act.
Florida residents that approved of the project in a town election and town officials have been anticipating a windfall payment in lieu of taxes from the project's developer when the project is done.
The 1.5-megawatt wind turbines would have a capacity of 30 megawatts -- enough to power 9,000 homes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.