The folks in Vermont's Northeast kingdom (NEK) are riled up about the proposal for wind farms on their mountains. It's high time Vermont decides its policy concerning wind farms generally. The policy is a tough issue, well intentioned for the production of renewable energy, an opportunity for entrepreneurs and established companies to make a few bucks, but not everyone agrees that we should have the farms.
I remember the uproar when the power company wanted to replace the towers along the causeway leading from Milton to Grand Isle. The public outcry about spoiling the magnificent view resulted in the placement of underwater power lines. Seems to me this same shallow, sandy area would be a lovely place for a wind farm in the path of consistent southerly breezes most of the year.
As I stated in a Burlington Free Press opinion piece last month, Vermont should decide its policy for wind farms upstream of the regulatory process. These decisions should not be made on a case by case basis. Too much is at stake and emotions are running high about the affect on mountain views or lake vistas. A Vermont policy is urgently needed.
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