Lowell Mountain Wind Power: Now You Can See for Yourself
Green Mountain Power Co. has announced that it will make available public tours of the Kingdom Community Wind project in Lowell during July and August.
The Lowell wind project has stirred up much controversy, both pro and con, during both the permitting period and construction.
It was there that several people were arrested for trespassing on the mountainous site during construction. The controversy spurred a proposal in the legislature to create a three-year “moratorium” on big new wind projects. The bill did not advance.
The tours of the site might help some Vermonters to understand the situation and come away with new information, either pro or con.
“This is an opportunity to see and hear an operating wind farm, and learn how GMP is harnessing the wind to make electricity for 24,000 Vermont homes,” said Dorothy Schnure, GMP spokesperson. “The June tours are already filled to capacity,” she added.
Green Mountain Power’s Certificate of Public Good limits the number of people permitted on a tour, and restricts public tours to one day per week, June through August, to minimize the impact on wildlife in the area.
The tours will last approximately 90 minutes, and visitors will be able to get out near the base of two of the 21 turbines.
Tours will be offered most Wednesdays in July and August at 10 a.m. There will be no tour on Wednesday, July 24 or Wednesday, August 28. Saturday tours will be offered on July 27, 2013 and August 31 at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m..
To sign up, call Gert Tetreault at 802-744-6664 or email Gert@KingdomCommunityWind. com. Advanced registration is required.