Vermont wind project approved

A 16-turbine wind power project in Sheffield, Vt., about 25 miles south of the Quebec border, received its major state approval today.

UPC Wind's Sheffield Wind project is expected to produce 40 megawatts of electricity by 2009, enough to power 30,000 average-sized homes or small businesses. The Vermont Public Service Board, which regulates utilities, issued the project a "certificate of public good" after imposing several requirements including measures to protect bats from the spinning blades and to preserve 2,700 acres around the project as bear habitat.

UPC Wind project manager Matt Kearns said the company still wants to see whether Vermont state legislators will adopt legislation clarifying what tax rate the project will pay before making final construction plans.
The project is to be built along a ridge line near Interstate 91 in Sheffield in a commercial forestry area.
(By Peter J. Howe, Globe staff)