In a draft order, a Public Utility Law Judge has recommended that the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) deny a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) permit for the construction of the Dan's Mountain Wind Farm. 

Legal Zoning/Planning Maryland

"Overall, in weighing the benefits against the adverse impacts that are unable to be mitigated ... I find that the benefits that may accrue to the public at large by construction of the wind project do not justify or offset subjecting the local community to the adverse impacts that will result from the wind projects construction and operation."

Impact on Landscape Impact on People Maryland

In the 50-page opinion, Judge Dennis Sober wrote, “I find the evidence in support of the granting of a (Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity) falls short of proving that the Project meets the standard of Public Convenience and Necessity. I find that the weight of the evidence pertaining to the location of the Project is more negative than positive in its persuasive value of creating benefits to (Kent County) and Maryland.”

General Maryland

Amelia Chasse, a spokeswoman for Hogan, said the governor has consistently supported efforts that promote clean air and clean water. "However, the governor will not do this at the expense of Maryland's ratepayers," Chasse said. ...Chasse said proponents of the bill "need to get their facts straight." She noted Hogan signed legislation in 2015 to expand the Maryland Commission on Climate Change.

Energy Policy Maryland

CHESTERTOWN — At the Kent County Commissioners meeting Tuesday, Amy Moredock, director of planning, housing and zoning, gave a departmental update.

General Maryland

The commission said it had opened its formal review of proposals from US Wind Inc., a subsidiary of Italian energy and construction giant Toto Holdings SpA, and Skipjack Offshore Wind LLC, a subsidiary of Deepwater Wind Holdings LLC. Approval from the commission is necessary for either project to secure offshore renewable energy credits.

Offshore Wind Maryland

The project was blocked by land-use restrictions that the developer now aims to override by convincing regulators that the wind farm is a public necessity.

Legal Maryland

A judge with the Maryland Public Service Commission denied a motion by Allegany County on Tuesday that sought to dismiss an ongoing effort by Dan's Mountain Wind Force LLC to secure PSC support to build a wind farm on Dan's Mountain.

Legal Maryland

CUMBERLAND — Allegany County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Finan has upheld the county's denial of a 17-turbine wind farm project on Dan’s Mountain, according to The Associated Press.

Legal Zoning/Planning Maryland

Allegany County commissioners have filed a motion with the Maryland Public Service Commission to dismiss a Dan’s Mountain Wind Force request for a required certificate for a 17-turbine wind farm project on Dan’s Mountain. 

Legal Zoning/Planning Maryland

 “The goal of House Bill 1106 to increase the State’s Renewable Energy Portfolio (RPS) to 25% by 2020 is laudable, but increasing taxes to achieve this goal is the wrong approach. In 2014, Maryland ratepayers already were assessed over $104 million dollars for renewable energy credits (RECs),” the last year for which data is available.

Energy Policy Maryland

The Kent County News didn’t publish its first story about Apex’s wind-energy plans until March 2014—nearly two years after its representatives first began traversing the county, appearing on farmers’ doorsteps, and offering leases that by some estimates were worth about $30,000 a year in exchange for the opportunity to install 35 to 50 wind turbines, and possibly more, each about 500 feet tall. The News’ single-source story, which quoted Tyson Utt, a director of development at Apex, was written by editor Daniel Divilio, who says that it came about after Apex officials contacted the paper seeking publicity.

General Maryland

The battle over a proposed wind farm on Dan's Mountain continues now that Allegany County and a citizens' organization have filed petitions with the state Public Service Commission to fight an attempt by wind project developers to circumvent a local zoning decision by going directly to the PSC.

General Maryland

On Monday, February 29, 2016, Allegany Neighbors & Citizens for Home Owners Right Limited (ANCHOR) filed a Motion to Intervene in the Dan’s Mountain Wind Force’s petition.

General Maryland

“A working theory is poisoning,” Thomson said Monday night. She added that someone may have sprayed a new chemical on a field that adversely affected the birds. Or someone may have used poison to kill rodents; if the rodents died outdoors and the eagles consumed their carcasses, the birds could get sick too.

Impact on Birds Maryland

Dans Mountain Windforce LLC has filed for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity with the Maryland Public Service Commission which, if approved, would allow the company to construct a 17-turbine wind farm on Dan's Mountain.

General Maryland

On Dec. 14, Mills Branch Solar LLC, a subsidiary of Charlottesville, Va.-based Apex Clean Energy, filed an application with the Maryland Public Service Commission for a 60-megawatt solar photovoltaic generating facility in the Chesterville area. The company seeks approval in time to begin construction in June and be online by the end of October, according to the filing.

General Maryland

Allegany County is a code, home-rule government, and can address zoning and land use codes for the county through a strict and organized process, which can't be trumped by state law. “We do not want to live underneath wind turbines,” Park said. ...[wind turbines are] very noisy, turbines are not friendly, they do not make good neighbors.”

Zoning/Planning Maryland

The Allegany County Board of Zoning Appeals on Friday voted unanimously to deny an application for variances and a special exception for a proposed 17-turbine wind farm project on Dan's Mountain, killing the $110 million project.

Zoning/Planning Maryland

The board voted unanimously Friday to deny an application from Dans Mountain Windforce LLC for variances and a special exception needed for the 17-turbine project.

General Maryland