CHARLESTON — In yet another victory for wind energy developers, the state Public Service Commission has reinstated the application for a 50-turbine wind farm to be located on Jack Mountain in Pendleton County.
This surprise comes only 38 days after the PSC dismissed the Liberty Gap Wind Force application over concerns that the Wexford, PA., company denied access to their project site for hydrology studies by the anti-wind farm group Friends of Beautiful Pendleton County.
After the PSC’s initial dismissal, Liberty Gap filed a motion for reconsideration of their decision, which was handed down late last Friday. This reversal of fortune for Liberty Gap comes on the heels of an Aug. 28 PSC ruling which granted a siting certificate for Beech Ridge Energy, which plans to build a 124-turbine wind farm in Greenbrier County.
“While the Commission is not reversing its determination that Liberty Gap’s conduct preceding dismissal was unreasonable, the Commission concludes that by meeting (certain) conditions, the harm caused by Liberty Gap’s conduct will be mitigated to the point that a fair litigation of the application can occur,” the order stated. “In view of the considerable resources expended by all parties to date in this case, the case should proceed to a decision on the merits.”
The conditions set down by the PSC include:
- Liberty Gap must follow through on its offer to pay the travel, lodging and expenses of Friends of Beautiful Pendleton County’s consultants.
- Liberty Gap must finalize site arrangements with the Friends of Beautiful Pendleton County consultants on or before Sept. 25 of this year.
- Liberty Gap must consent to 120-day extension of the siting certificate decision by the PSC.
Hearings on the matter are scheduled for December 12 and the PSC’s statutory deadline for a final decision is due March 16, 2007.
Prior to the PSC’s latest ruling for the Liberty Gap project, Lara Ramsburg, director of communications for Gov. Joe Manchin said last Friday the governor is looking at wind energy and how it fits into “our current tax structure as part of our tax modernization review efforts.”
“In terms of our state’s energy policy, that is one of the things that our Public Energy Authority is working on developing,” she said. “Although their focus in the immediate future is on making coal conversion efforts a reality as quickly as possible.”
Ramsburg said it would be premature to say how the wind farm in Greenbrier County will or will not impact other areas of the state.
“The PSC has guidelines within which they operate and we trust they followed those guidelines in addressing the Greenbrier County wind project,” she said.
“As you will recall, the governor proposed a moratorium on new wind project permits during the last legislative special session so that everyone could have more time to gather more information on the issues associated with wind power, however, the legislature did not feel that a moratorium was necessary at that time and we respect their decision.”
— E-mail:
cgiggenbach@register-herald.com
Local News
PSC reinstates application for Pendleton wind farm
- Local News
-
- Second shooting suspect arrested
-
Group helps moms socialize, get involved
Amanda Powers said she had never lived outside of the state of Georgia. Yet when her husband was transferred to West Virginia in his job, things completely changed.
-
One killed, three injured in ambulance wreck
A McDowell County ambulance driver transporting a patient to a hospital was killed Wednesday when the ambulance was involved in a single-vehicle accident in Avondale, officials said.
-
Governor’s office announces Region I energy efficiency projects
Gov. Joe Manchin Tuesday announced funding totaling $790,411.11 for energy efficiency projects in the Region I Planning and Development Council, which covers McDowell, Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming counties.
-
Calendar — Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010
Today's events
-
U.S. energy secretary tells W.Va. coal remains vital
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu says he’s sure the nation can develop ways to continue burning coal and boost the economy in the process.
-
Rahall cuts visitors center ribbon
A crowd estimated at well over 100 people gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Greenbrier Valley Visitors Center and the dedication of the center’s Rahall Conference Room here Tuesday.
-
Fire Department to receive federal funding
Bradley-Prosperity Volunteer Fire Department will receive $223,820 in Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.
-
Maynard, Rahall face off in first debate
U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., and Republican challenger Elliott “Spike” Maynard, clashed Tuesday over the future of coal, health care reform and jobs for southern West Virginia.
-
Audience seeks info, supports candidates
People seeking information and offering support converged on Bluefield for a debate Tuesday evening between an incumbent and a challenger vying for a seat in Congress.
- More Local News Headlines
