Horizontal-axis wind turbines at Searsburg, Vt. The U.S. Forest Service approved construction of new turbines next to the existing Searsburg Wind Facility. Photo courtesy of NREL
Rutland — Despite some efforts to stop a wind-energy project because of its threat to wildlife and the natural landscape, the U.S. Forest Service has never-the-less approved the construction of a giant 15-turbine wind energy facility in the Green Mountain National Forest.
Some critics are blaming state and federal “agenda” politics behind the USFS’ decision to site the project on a formerly pristine mountain top.
The announcement, made Jan. 4, included the release of an environmental study for the facility on national forest land in Searsburg and Readsboro.
The turbines will be built next to the existing Searsburg Wind Facility.
“This permit will bring more jobs and renewable power to the people of Vermont,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell.
The exact number of jobs created by the project were not immediately available to the press.
The facility will consist of 15 2.0 megawatt turbines that will soar 389 feet in the air above the mountain.
The turbines are expected to produce approximately 92,506 MWh with a claimed capacity of 30 megawatts.
Some opponents have cited other wind projects—including Searsburg—where birds, including common and endangered species, have been killed by the mammoth, swirling turbine blades.
The Green Mountain National Forest first received the formal application from Deerfield Wind, LLC/Iberdrola Renewables in 2004.
The USFS approved the largest of several proposals submitted including a “No Action” alternative required by law.
A public notice of availability for the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision will appear in the Federal Register this month, according to a USFS news release.
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