Iberdrola must file new application for Wild Meadows project

ALEXANDRIA — Because of delays, Iberdrola Renewables must submit a new application for its Wild Meadows wind farm proposal, but there is no time limit on when it must do so.

Michael Iacopino, the lawyer for the state’s Site Evaluation Committee, said that because of delays by Iberdrola since the committee returned its Wild Meadows proposal for more information, Iberdrola must now submit a new application for the project.

The Spanish wind-energy company wants to build a 75.9-megawatt, 23-turbine wind farm in Alexandria and Danbury. On Friday, Iberdrola announced that it has “paused” its application to the state to focus on its existing wind farm in Groton.

Meanwhile, the Site Evaluation Committee schedule hearings that could result in suspension of the operation license for the company’s Groton Wind development because of concerns from the state fire marshal and others over changes made at the Groton site.

In the past week, at least four area residents have filed letters with the Site Evaluation Committee asking for closure of the application process.

“It is beyond 60 days since the incomplete filing, and it has already been rejected as incomplete by the SEC,” wrote Michelle Sanborn of Alexandria.

Iacopino said the Site Evaluation Committee did not “reject” the application, and said Iberdrola officials may come back with the same proposal with the additional information requested included at any time.

“Or they may alter the project and refile,” Iacopino said. “There’s no time limit.”

In a statement Friday, Iberdrola officials said they had “made significant progress resolving some outstanding issues at (its) Groton wind farm.”

Groton Wind, which produces 48 megawatt of electricity from 24 turbines, received its operating license in 2011. It went online in December 2012.