White House Picks Searsburg Wind Facility As Priority

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STAMFORD, Vt. — The wind turbine expansion on Searsburg Mountain has been selected by the Obama administration as one of 14 infrastructure projects across the country for expeditious permitting.

According to a press release from the White House, President Obama has "directed agencies to expedite environmental reviews and permit decisions for a selection of high priority infrastructure projects that will create a significant number of jobs, have already identified necessary funding, and where the significant steps remaining before construction are within the control and jurisdiction of the federal government and can be completed within 18 months."

The Deerfield Wind/Searsburg Expansion Project in the Green Mountain National Forest would add 15 two-megawatt turbines to the 6 MW facility. The expansion is estimated to generate enough power for up to 14,000 homes. 

Deerfield Wind LLC has applied for a special use permit to use public lands under the management of the Forest Service. The issuance of the permit is a federal action that requires review under National Environmental Policy Act. USDA Forest Service is working to expedite a Final Environmental Impact Statement before December 2011.


The announcement comes as a result of the Presidential Memorandum issued in late August at the recommendation of his Council on Jobs and Competitiveness.

The federal reviews will not supersede local or state permitting, however, the council has stated that improving the efficiency and effectiveness of federal permit decisions and environmental reviews is a critical step to accelerate job creation.

Tags: Searsburg,   wind power,   

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Berkshires Getting Snow, Icy Rain Overnight

Just because the Tuesday reached a relatively balmy 30 degrees, don't think that winter is giving up. 
 
The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., has issued a winter weather advisory from Tuesday afternoon through 6 a.m. Wednesday for up to 4 inches of snow and sleety ice.
 
Plan on slippery roads and hazardous conditions driving home. Snow will begin late this afternoon and then switch to a wintry mix including freezing rain, in the evening. This precipitation may linger into the morning, freezing roadways in the morning.  
 
The state Department of Transportation is advising travelers that approximately 2-4 inches is forecast across most of the state, and up to 2 inches is expected on the Cape and Islands.
 
Highway Districts have pretreated state roadways in advance of the storm and will be deploying snow removal crews and equipment to clear state roadways as snow begins to accumulate. Drivers are encouraged to use caution and reduce speed, as snow may cause slippery roadway conditions.
 
"MassDOT is monitoring upcoming snowfall that is expected to impact today’s evening commute, with 2 to 4 inches possible across most of Massachusetts," said State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.?"For commuters and anyone else out on the roads this afternoon and evening, we encourage everyone to allow for extra time, reduce speeds, and to be mindful of our snow removal crews and snowplows."
 
MassDOT has more than 3,000 pieces of state and vendor equipment available.
 
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