Raleigh, NC—The state Senate voted today to ban commercial
and community wind power projects on the state’s mountains—closing the door on
pollution-free turbines that could produce enough electricity to power nearly
200,000 homes.
Sen. Steve Goss (D-Watauga), who has emerged as a champion
of clean energy, was the lone member to vote against the measure—an otherwise
proactive bill that established a wind-power permitting system across the
state.
Environmental and clean energy groups oppose the ban, advocating
instead a permitting process that could allow wind power on a limited portion
of the state’s ridges and safeguard coastal areas.
“Clean wind power can be developed responsibly,” said
Elizabeth Ouzts, Environment North Carolina State Director, “while protecting
the state’s scenic beauty and unique ecology, and responding to the will of
local communities.”
The Senate-passed measure, S1068, Permitting of Wind Energy Facilities, bans medium and
large-scale wind turbines on all of the state’s ridges, the most promising
location for wind power projects.
Due in part to the numerous wilderness areas and national
parks in Western North Carolina, an analysis from La Capra Associates estimated
that wind turbines could be sited on only 5 percent of the state’s
ridgelines. Other analyses have
excluded more ridgelines based on proximity to existing roads and transmission
lines.
Clean energy advocates argue that wind power in the state’s
mountains is a critical component of the state’s supply of renewable energy.
“Wind power on just a small number of our ridges could
create enough power to fulfill a fifth of the state’s clean energy requirement,”
said Ouzts.
The 800 MW to 1000MW of capacity estimated to be developed
in the mountains represents about two-thirds of North Carolina’s land-based
wind potential, according to the La Capra Study.
The measure now advances to the House. With adjournment timing in flux, its fate there is uncertain.
**Environment North Carolina is a statewide, citizen-based
advocacy organization.**
