Green Mountain Power, Vermont’s second largest utility, applied on May 21, 2010 to the state Public Service Board for a “Certificate of Public Good,” in order to construct 21 turbines on 3.2 miles of unroaded Lowell Mountain ridgeline in the town of Lowell. (This is the Kingdom Community Wind Project which is locally known as the Lowell Mountain Wind Project.) The town of Craftsbury, arguably with the most outstanding views of the project area, subsequently filed a “Motion to Intervene,” essentially a request to participate in the review process. Quoting from the town Selectboard’s motion: “Craftsbury lies at the southern terminus of the so-called “viewshed” of the project. The dominant view to the north and northwest from any number of points within the Town are the Lowell Mountains, location of the proposed project, the completion of which has a potentially profound effect on historic sites, aesthetic quality and economic interests of the region. The Town’s primary economic resource is its relatively healthy, unspoiled landscape. In many respects the Town personifies the entire state featuring prominent, untrammeled ridges, mountains and cultivated valleys. The increasing importance of recreational travel as a significant economic factor in The Town must be acknowledged. One has only to look at the increase in facilities for catering to this need: bed and breakfast operations, recreational facilities catering to “self-propelled” activities, a small college dependent to some degree on our existing landscape and the Town’s increasing presence in travel brochures as a destination for other commercial touring operations. In brief, how the Town “looks,” is of great importance to local economic health and the Town itself must participate in the process in order to assess the effects of the proposed project.” Briefly stated, our “project” is to assure a fair and complete review of the town’s issues and concerns before the state Public Service Board. Note the timeline of these hearings again and that they have begun and who has been attending them The town has one of the highest tax rates in the state and no public resources for hiring professional counsel to assure proper representation. While local volunteers are invaluable in helping define local values and needs—a volunteer, Selectboard-approved, private fund-raising effort is underway to raise funds for hiring such representation--the Public Service Board review process (Act 248) is an arcane, attorney-driven exercise that makes it difficult for local, untrained volunteers to participate effectively. The Lowell mountain wind project case has begun and we are without legal counsel before the PSB hearings. Adjudication of the Certificate of Public Good application will go on through spring of 2011 when the Public Service Board will hand down its decision. The Craftsbury Conservation Commission and selectboard have been involved months before May 21 when Green Mountain Power submitted an application for a Certificate of Public Good. We need to hire an attorney for the short-term now. That’s the role of the requested NEGEF grant. Local fund-raising will support this position for the longer term. We cannot predict the likelihood of an appeal until a decision—by the PSB –is made. Members of the Craftsbury Conservation Commission will attend PSB hearings in Montpelier as well as a scheduled site visit and public hearing proposed for September 23, 2010. Reports on these events and all breaking news regarding the project will be available on the town’s website, a special section dedicated to the project. See our role in cooperating with Sterling College on local presentations and guest speakers. We are also staying connected with our town colleagues o the Energy Committee and the Planning Commission. At the request of the Craftsbury Selectboard, the Craftsbury Conservation Commission held an informational meeting in the town hall on August 3, 2010. This was an opportunity for the selectboard to hear the resident concerns and issues regarding the wind project. Over 50 Craftsbury residents attended this meeting and the comments and questions were recorded. Answers to some of these questions plus additional information about the wind project have been posted on the town website. A message board has been established to promote a continued discussion about the project. The conservation commission is working with other groups, Craftsbury Energy Committee and Sterling College, to host additional informational meetings and presentations. September 16 Sterling College will host a discussion on the issue of industrial wind projects on mountain ridgeline. On the 15th we are hosting a visit from staff members of the Vermont Natural Resources Council in an effort to show them first hand our concerns with this project. VNRC is currently drafting a statewide policy statement on siting wind turbines.