It’s one of the latest ordinances in the country adopted by local government that prevents wind farm construction as the federal government is pushing for cleaner greener technologies.
Energy Companies Dominion Resources and BP Wind Energy wanted to construct wind turbines along East River Mountain in Virginia. The mountain is shared with West Virginia in Mercer County. The $200 million project was announced January of last year.
After more than a year of debate, the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors decided in a three to two vote last week to pass an ordinance that will prevent construction of a wind energy project along East River Mountain in Virginia.
Community members were given the opportunity to speak for or against the project. Barry Wiley represented the Mercer County Airport Authority.
"The wind mills would be an impediment because you have to actually raise we’re talking about 500 feet would be the threshold of the windmills," he said. "You have increase further and drop very suddenly to approach the airport."
The obstacle would be put in the way of the southwest approach at the airport, which is only used about 10 percent of the time, Wiley says. But any kind of obstacle to aviation around the airport could be devastating for business. The airport lost flight carrier Colgan Air, operating as U.S. Air in November of 2007.
"Anything that would limit traffic continues to limit fuel sales and our staffing and our ability to continue to respond," he said.
Since the announcement, community members have rallied for and against the project citing economic growth and eye sores.
This isn’t the first ordinance adopted to prevent wind turbine construction. Wind industry spokesman Frank Maisano says the actions to prevent wind energy development is growing.
"It’s kind of disturbing to have the very active political antiwind folks gathering steam and promoting their approach undercutting a message that is good for rural communities," he said.
Maisano says it's bad timing too, as there's now a push from Washington for cleaner greener technologies.
"It’s disappointing that it has to be a fight like that thoug," Maisano said. "These are good projects. They’re projects that can provide economic opportunities they’re projects that are providing clean energy that being frankly demanded by consumers."
Maisano says wind developers are working on model ordinances that communities in favor of wind energy could adopt.