Army Corps to Sheffield wind project: Not so fast

SHEFFIELD, Vt. --A plan to build 16 wind-power turbines on a ridge line, approved by the state Public Service Board last month, has run into a new roadblock from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Corps has written to Newton, Mass.-based developer UPC Wind to say it wants more review of the environmental impacts of the project before it grants its approval.

"You may not proceed with any proposed work within our jurisdiction until you have received written authorization from our office," said an Aug. 23 letter from Col. Curtis Thalken, Corps of Engineers district engineer, to UPC.

A message left Saturday on the cellular phone of UPC spokesman Matt Kearns was not immediately returned.

The letter said the project would need more state and local permits, including a water-quality certification from the Agency of Natural Resources. The type of permit issued by the Public Service Board, called a certificate of public good, essentially says the economic benefits of a utility project outweigh any negative impacts.

UPC has said its 16 turbines would generate 40 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 15,000 average homes in Vermont.

Michael Adams, senior project engineer with the Corps' New England district, said several issues remain to be worked out, relating to waterways, wetlands and the fragmentation of wildlife habitat.

Rob Ide, energy efficiency director with the state Department of Public Service, said it was uncertain how long the Army Corps permit process might delay the project.

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Information from: The Burlington Free Press, http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com