Lawmakers mull new wind-power process

The state is exploring ways to streamline the local permitting process for communities interested in building wind turbines.

BOSTON -- Windy cities and towns could soon use a more streamlined process for permitting land-based wind turbines under a proposal that proponents say will prevent unnecessary delays while maintaining local control of the process.

The proposal, which went before the state Legislature's Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy last week, would establish local boards to handle wind turbine proposals as a whole instead of requiring developers to seek various approvals from multiple local committees. The proposed project must produce at least 2 megawatts of electricity.

These wind-energy permitting boards would consist of at least one member of the local zoning board of appeals, the local conservation commission and the local planning board. The energy boards would confer with other municipal boards, but backers hope expediting the application process will help put more turbines on the landscape.

"We want to have a process that doesn't last forever," said Rep. Frank Smizik, D-Brookline, who filed the legislation.

The bill also would allow people appealing a decision by the board to appeal to the state's Energy Facilities Siting Board.

Under the proposal, the state would identify communities that have significant wind resources, but less windy communities also could establish boards.

"There are areas all around the state, and each of them should be looked at. We don't want to rely on fossil fuels or on foreign oils," said Smizik, chairman of the House Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change.

The proposal also would establish guidelines for lighting turbines, and how far they must be set back from residences to help prevent possible health and safety problems. It would also set standards to minimize the impact to historical and scenic areas and to animal habitats, concerns that have delayed other wind projects in the state, including Cape Wind, the 130-turbine wind farm set for Nantucket Sound.

The Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock was the first ski resort to build and use electricity generated by a wind turbine.

The number of turbines and wind farms has been growing despite health and environmental concerns and questions about the cost of wind energy for consumers.

Earlier this year, the state opened the Berkshire Wind Power Project, its first land-based wind farm. The 10-turbine farm will produce enough electricity to power about 6,000 homes. In April, Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner installed two 1.65 megawatt wind turbines that will generate 97 percent of energy used on the campus.