Published: January 30, 2009 04:08 pm      

Tazewell windmills — Public hearing the place to speak out

Residents hoping to have a say on a proposed windmill project for East River Mountain should attend Tuesday’s public hearing at Tazewell Middle School.

The public hearing on the proposed ridgeline protection ordinance being considered by the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors will be held beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Tazewell Middle School. This is the appropriate time for those who have an opinion on the windmill project — whether pro or con — to let their voices be heard and recorded in the official record.

Dominion and BP Wind Energy North America have purchased 2,560 acres of land in Tazewell County.

A press release from Dominion indicates the two companies are “evaluating wind energy projects” in Tazewell and Wise counties. It further states the two companies had entered into an agreement to “jointly own, operate and develop wind energy projects.”

Thomas F. Farrell II, Dominion’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, is calling the proposed project a “...small, but important step for Virginia’s nascent wind industry” Farrell said Dominion is committed to increasing renewable generating capacity, adding the Tazewell and Wise county projects would move the company closer to fulfilling that goal.

However, many residents of Southwest Virginia — and even southern West Virginia — are not fans of the proposed project, believing the windmills will mar the extraordinary natural beauty of the scenic mountains.

Ryan Frazier, a corporate communications manager for Dominion, said the two companies are asking the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors to give “thoughtful and careful consideration” to the wind turbine project before acting upon a proposed ridgeline protection ordinance. The ordinance would regulate the development of tall structures on areas identified as protected mountain ridges. The proposed ordinance currently identifies East River Mountain and Burkes Garden as protected mountain ridge lines.

Frazier said the companies are in the process of conducting a number of studies, including wind speed, wind direction, wildlife, environmental, wetland and archeological studies.

The windmill project proposed for East River Mountain has captured the attention of the region. Some are for the project. Some are against it. But most are talking about it.

Tuesday’s public hearing is an ideal place to let your voice be heard — whether you are for or against the wind turbines.

If you want to have a say on the windmill project, attendance at Tuesday’s public hearing is mandatory.