The Ledger-Independent reports that Duke Energy Director of Business Management Graham Furlong told those who attended the meetings that the company is exploring the idea of building between 26 and 100 wind turbines in the area that could produce between 70 and 150 megawatts of energy.
The Ledger-Independent reports that Duke Energy Director of Business Management Graham Furlong told those who attended the meetings that the company is exploring the idea of building between 26 and 100 wind turbines in the area that could produce between 70 and 150 megawatts of energy.
MAYSVILLE, Ky. — A Duke Energy representative has met with officials and concerned residents in Fleming and Mason counties to explain a proposal to build wind turbines in the area.
The Ledger-Independent reports that Duke Energy Director of Business Management Graham Furlong told those who attended the meetings that the company is exploring the idea of building between 26 and 100 wind turbines in the area that could produce between 70 and 150 megawatts of energy.
He said if the proposal moves forward, construction could begin as soon as 2016.
Officials in both counties peppered Furlong with questions.
He answered them, but noted that the company is still in the early phases of the proposed project.
"This is a new project for Fleming …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]MAYSVILLE, Ky. — A Duke Energy representative has met with officials and concerned residents in Fleming and Mason counties to explain a proposal to build wind turbines in the area.
The Ledger-Independent reports that Duke Energy Director of Business Management Graham Furlong told those who attended the meetings that the company is exploring the idea of building between 26 and 100 wind turbines in the area that could produce between 70 and 150 megawatts of energy.
He said if the proposal moves forward, construction could begin as soon as 2016.
Officials in both counties peppered Furlong with questions.
He answered them, but noted that the company is still in the early phases of the proposed project.
"This is a new project for Fleming and Mason counties," Fleming Judge-Executive Larry Foxworthy said to about 25 people who attended Tuesday's Fiscal Court meeting to hear about the project. "This presentation will give us a better understanding of what this project will entail. This is simply a preliminary meeting. We don't know much about this project and we're here for information only."
Furlong began by telling the crowd about Duke's involvement with renewable energy.
"We currently have about 15 windmill projects and about 16 solar projects," Furlong said. "They're low cost and safe and they have high reliability."
A similar meeting in Mason County drew at least 100 people, many of whom have expressed opposition to the idea.
He told the crowd there that federal tax credits are part of what's driving utilities to explore wind power.
"At some stage it will happen in Kentucky and we want to be the one to do it," he said.
Mason Judge-Executive James L. "Buddy" Gallenstein said he felt magistrates have time to do more studies to "get this right, to get more data and to write a proper ordinance."
He noted that there was also opposition when Eastern Kentucky Power built a coal-powered generation plant near Maysville.
"I think we need to get this absolutely right," he said. "We are a coal dependent county and state ... there was opposition to that and opposition to this. It's absolutely crucial to get this right ... to refer it to planning and zoning to get more data so we can move forward one way or another."