Published: September 02, 2009 08:45 pm      

Decision on windmill project still up in the air

TAZEWELL, Va. — The chairman of the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors is expressing frustration over repeated delays in a decision regarding a large-scale wind turbine farm for East River Mountain.

Anderson made another motion late Tuesday night to proceed with a public hearing on a revised ridgeline protection ordinance. His motion died for a lack of a second. His fellow board members said they wanted to wait until an ongoing wind energy economic impact study was completed.

“I don’t like the public perception that we are dragging our feet,” Anderson said Wednesday. “I would say 90 percent of the people who I represent in the Eastern District have concerns about the top of East River Mountain, and the windmills.”

The proposed mountain ridge construction ordinance seeks to protect certain mountain ridgelines — including East River Mountain — 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.

Anderson said there is no reason why the board can’t vote now to schedule a public hearing in October to coincide with the completion of the wind energy study in October.

“We need to have a public hearing, and do something,” Anderson said. “I just think we are doing an injustice to the public and our constituents by not doing the public hearing. It’s been almost a year now. We have went through the process. The general public is looking at it like you are dragging your feet.”

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.

In other action Tuesday, two high students in Tazewell County were honored by the board as the youngest graduates of the new Microsoft Digital Literacy program being offered at the Bluestone One Stop Training Center in Bluefield, Va., and the Small Business Incubator in Richlands.

Hope Marrs and Brittany Tiller received their certificates Tuesday from the board.

The certification program helps participants achieve 21st century skills, according to Dr. Tom Brewster, the board’s Northern District member.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com