Published: July 09, 2009 09:41 pm      

Study to shed light on potential economic impact of windmills

TAZEWELL, Va. — Can wind energy really help to create economic development?

That is one of several questions Tazewell County officials are hoping to have answered with a new wind energy economic impact study. A firm, the Springsted company from Richmond, has been selected to begin the study, County Administrator Jim Spencer said.

“They are hoping to be done in 60 to 90 days,” Spencer said. “They’ve got a lot of work to do, and we are providing them with all of the information they need.”

Spencer said one thing the wind energy study won’t be doing is looking at the environmental impact of windmills.

“It is just an economic evaluation of the wind project, and its economic impact,” Spencer said.

Spencer said the study will look at everything from the effect of wind energy on tourism and economic development to how it could impact the proposed Bluestone Regional Business and Technology Park project planned near Bluefield, Va.

The county Board of Supervisors are not expected to make a decision on a proposed ridgeline protection ordinance until receiving the final wind energy economic impact study.

Dominion and BP Wind Energy North America have proposed the development of as many as 60, 400-foot tall windmills along East River Mountain near Bluefield, Va. The project has prompted a strong community response — with some speaking in opposition to the project and others speaking in favor of the windmills.

The proposed mountain ridge construction ordinance seeks to protect certain mountain ridgelines by limiting construction of tall buildings and structures that may obstruct views of their crests or endanger the persons or property of residents below the ridgeline.

The wind energy study is being partially funded by Dominion and BP.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com