Deerfield Wind
Review Processes
Photograph of existing Searsburg Wind Facility from Town Road Whitingham
with photosimulations of Deerfield Wind
The Deerfield Wind project layout is proposed on both national Forest Service lands and a smaller portion of private lands. As such, we have applied for a special use authorization (permit) from the Green Mountain National Forest. The evaluation of this permit application is being conducted, under the National Environmental Policy Act. As a result, an Environmental Impact Statement is being prepared.
The Green Mountain National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) of 2006 cites Renewable Energy Generation as a goal for Forest Service lands. The Deerfield Wind project is proposed to lie within lands designated as Diverse Forest Use Management area. Lands within this management scheme allow for development of renewable energy. As documents become available to the public, they will be posted on a Green Mountain National Forest web site.
Deerfield Wind also has submitted a permit application to the Vermont Public Service Board (PSB) in accordance with Section 248 of Title 30 of the Vermont statues. The PSB is charged with the review of all electric generation facilities in Vermont, regardless of their fuel source. A positive §248 review will result in the issuing of a Certificate of Public Good that will allow the project to move forward. Much of the same project-specific information required for the §248 review is also required for the federal NEPA process and, in the case of the Deerfield Wind project, the permitting approval process is occurring simultaneously.
Your participation is important
The Forest Service anticipates issuing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) in early 2008. Further information on the date of release will be published as the analysis proceeds. After its release, the Forest Service will formally solicit public comments in writing and hold a public hearing for those wishing to verbally submit comments. After the comment period closes, the Forest Service will review and respond to all comments and prepare the Final Environmental Impact Statement.
Support Deerfield Wind
Deerfield Wind represents an important clean, new electric generation source for Vermont and the New England Power grid that will benefit us all with cleaner air and reduced production of green house gases, while providing substantial economic benefits to the local and regional economies. The project will help establish clean electrical generation in the years to come supporting state and regional planning and public policy initiatives that have been designed with the goals of not only cleaner the air, but to stabilize fuel prices and reduce our dependence on foreign sources of fossil fuels for electricity production.
Your support of Deerfield Wind will help the region and the county reach this goal. If you would like to learn more the project or how you can support it, please visit our Contact Deerfield Wind page.
The Vermont Public Service Board has already conducted a public hearing, however letters may be submitted to the Public Service Board at any time.