Wind turbine work under way

Groundwork is in progress to make way for the $250 million wind turbine facility on Laurel Mountain, and completion of the project is expected by the end of next summer, officials said this week.

Barry Sweitzer, director for the AES Laurel Mountain project, told The Inter-Mountain that everything is moving along as expected with the project. He said landowners have started timbering the land to make way for 65 wind turbines that will be erected on an eight-mile stretch of the Laurel Mountain ridgeline between Barbour and Randolph counties.

"We have received all of the required permits and are doing some preliminary work to gain better road access and establish offices for the various contractors that will be involved in the project," Sweitzer said. "Many of the landowners on the mountain have undertaken some timber harvest in anticipation of the project and due to the recent increase in timber prices and demand."

The West Virginia Public Service Commission approved AES Laurel Mountain's certificate in November 2008.

"We expect to get into full construction a little later in the year, which will consist of final road construction, foundations, a substation, and finally the wind turbines and electrical cables that connect them into the system," Sweitzer said. "Each of these phases will be employing people in the applicable trades. Completion and commercial operation should occur by the end of next summer."

AES projects it will be the area's largest taxpayer by contributing more than $450,000 annually to Randolph and Barbour counties.

Barbour Commissioner Phil Hart said it's difficult to know exactly how much Barbour County will receive in tax revenues from the windmills, but the amount paid will help increase the tax base.

"Initially during the construction phase, it's going to help the businesses here in town," Hart said. "The workers coming in will patronize the local restaurants, gas stations and other businesses. So that's going help immediately.

"In the long term, it's going to improve the tax base in Barbour County. It will help the commission be able to fund other projects that we couldn't in the past. We have limited funds and this will give us a little bit more money to cover expenses and support organizations that come and ask for help. I've also been told it's going to create 14 full-time jobs. That's always a good thing," Hart said.

Randolph County Commission President Mike Taylor is also optimistic about the amount of tax revenue the windmills will generate for the community. To benefit all residents of Randolph and Barbour counties, he said it is important to maintain balance between the environmental, industrial and tourism sectors.

"I think we're supposed to have approximately half of them (the turbines) in Randolph County," Taylor said. "In talking with the assessor Phyllis Yokum, I understand it will increase the tax revenues for both counties. In the areas where the tax revenues have declined, the commissions can use these funds to help supplement those declining areas. We are always looking for new areas to increase the tax base, while trying to maintain a happy balance between being environmentally responsible and, at the same time, supporting industry that we feel will benefit all the citizens of Randolph County. Aside from the creation of jobs, the spending that the AES will do as far as purchasing supplies and materials will obviously benefit the businesses of Randolph County. We look forward to their participation in the local economy."