US engineers halt Vt. plan for turbines

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 US Army Corps of Engineers.

The Corps has written to Newton, Mass.-based developer UPC Wind to say it wants more review of the possible environmental impacts 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 Colonel Curtis Thalken, Corps of Engineers district engineer.

A UPC spokesman did not immediately return a call yesterday.

The letter said the project would need more state and local permits, including water-quality certification from the Agency of Natural Resources. The type of permit issued by the Public Service Board 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.