State Schedules Wind Energy Hearing At BCC

Staff ReportsPrint Story | Email Story
The Department of Public Utilities is developing guidelines for permitting wind projects.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state's renewed look at wind siting regulations will return to the Berkshires on Jan. 27.

The Department of Public Utilities scheduled the hearing on Monday, Jan. 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Berkshire Community College. The DPU has taken up the research into how to choose and permit the location of land-based wind energy facilities.

The DPU is leading this investigation that became a hot topic statewide in 2011, when Gov. Deval Patrick proposed a law that would create one group to permit all of the state's wind-turbine projects. That law was opposed in the Berkshires because there are numerous wind sites identified in area and the statewide group could eliminate local control.

That bill never make it through the legislative process. Now, the DPU is particularly looking at land-based wind energy issues such as design, environmental and human health, safety, construction impacts, socio-economic impacts, decommissioning and the review process for wind projects.


In the end, the department will be crafting guidelines for permitting authorities to follow in handling proposed projects.

This most recent investigation includes the Department of Energy Resources, Clean Energy Center, Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Public Utilities.

The Berkshire Community College hearing is just one of five the group is holding across the state. The first hearing was on Thursday at Bunker Hill Community College; second on Monday at Mount Wachusett Community College; the third will be at Barnstable High School on Jan. 22; BCC hosts the fourth; and the public hearings conclude with Gloucester High School on Jan. 29.

If those unable able to attend, the DPU is accepting written comments until Feb. 4. That date was already extended from a proposed December deadline.

 

DPU Wind Siting Investigation 2013/2014

 


Tags: alternative energy,   permitting,   public hearing,   wind siting,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Students Named to Simon's Rock Fall 2023 Dean's List

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Bard College at Simon's Rock congratulates the students named to the fall 2023 Dean's List for their outstanding academic achievement.
 
To be eligible for this honor, a student must carry 14 or more credits and achieve a grade point average of 3.5.
 
Sophia Krans of Monterey 
 
Wilkinson McCallister of Great Barrington 
 
Rei Puentedura of Williamstown 
 
Ben Rosenbaier of Gt Barrington 
 
Lucy Swindlehurst of Becket 
 
View Full Story

More South Berkshire Stories