Environmental group says don't "blow" this opportunity when it comes to wind energy incentives

ROANOKE, Va.?

"Our message today to Congress, don't throw wind off the fiscal cliff," says Sarah Bucci, Environment Virginia.

The clock is ticking and this group doesn't want to be caught under the buzzer.

Explains Bucci, "Incentives are benefits in place to build wind farms here in Virginia. So, it's important for this budding industry that we extend these credits at the national level as well as well as all of our own state policies."

Environment Virginia says as of December 31st incentives which would help build wind turbines, such as these, will run out.

Environmental and health experts say this clean form of energy is where our cash strapped, fuel dependent nation should go.

"I'm concerned about protecting Virginia open spaces, but we need to develop renewable resources -energy resources as an alternatives to fossil fuels," explains former Roanoke City Council member Dr. Rupert Cutler.

But, wind farms aren't always popular.
A proposal to bring about 15-turbines to Poor Mountain in Roanoke County met mixed reviews last year.

"It doesn't seem that anywhere along the way we've looked at the ecological aspects," said Wind Project Opponent Ed Kinser in September 2011.

Wind Project Opponent Bert Bondurant agreed during that same interview in 2011, "And i have a concern that the board of supervisors doesn't fully appreciate the treasure that is esstenially in their trust to preserve."

Many are concerned about adding an eye sore on the ridge.
But, others say the area is far from untouched.

Says Sierra Club Conservation Chair Dan Crawford, "Poor mountain is not pristine. If you go up there that's where we have our antennas and microwave towers."

Many wonder the status of the Poor Mountain project.

Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard Flora says even though Roanoke County amended its zoning and set conditions for wind use, it hasn't heard from the group since those changes have been made.

Invenergy, the group behind the Poor Mountain plan, says it continues to "work on development plans" and looks forward to working in Virginia.

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Read Invenergy's statement:

Statement from Invenergy ? November 28, 2012

Source: http://www.wdbj7.com/news/wdbj7-environmental-group-says-dont-blow-this-opportunity-when-it-comes-to-wind-energy-incentives-20121128,0,2454024.story?track=rss

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