SEARSBURG- After several open houses, public hearings, environmental impact statements, and submitted testimony, Iberdrola Renewables, of Valencia, Spain and Portland, OR has now received the state’s approval for the Deerfield Wind Project.

Last Thursday, the Public Service Board granted the Deerfield Wind Project a certificate of public good. The revised Deerfield Wind Project now comprises 15 turbines that will generate 30 MW of electricity. Eight turbines will be constructed along the western side of Route 8 in Searsburg and the other seven will be constructed along the eastern side of Route 8 in Readsboro. All 15 turbines will stand approximately 408 feet tall and will be situated on 80 acres of Green Mountain National Forest land, pending the U.S. Forest Service’s final approval.

The PSB voted two to one in favor of the Deerfield Wind Project. Chairman James Volz and PSB member David Coen were convinced the Deerfield Wind Project will benefit the general good of the state. Volz and Coen concluded that the Deerfield Wind Project will contribute to the state’s growing need for renewable energy. They also believe it will provide Vermonters with clean and renewable power, lower the overall price for power on the wholesale market, and meet consumers’ energy needs.

PSB member John Burke voted against the project. Burke believes there was not enough evidence the wind project would provide sufficient economic benefits to the community. “While the two host towns will receive payments that are, from the perspective of those towns, substantial, the remainder of the state will see minimal economic benefit. For instance, after the project is constructed, only two-and-a half-full-time jobs would be created,” wrote Burke in his dissenting opinion.

Burke’s other concern was the removal of 366 bear-scarred beech trees from the site. Last fall, the Agency of Natural Resources expressed concerned that the turbines would significantly impact bear habitat on the proposed site. Vermont Fish & Wildlife director of wildlife John Austin said a significant number of beech trees are situated along the western ridge. If the number of trees decreases, cub production also decreases. Burke wrote that “as presented, the costs resulting from this project are, in my estimation, dramatic and the benefits are comparatively insignificant.”

Volz and Coen believe the impact will be minimal, provided that the Deerfield Wind Project follows through with adequate mitigation, which Volz and Coen believe they will. “(The Deerfield Wind Project) has stated that it will be willing to mitigate the direct impacts on a four-to-one ratio, resulting in the protection of 144 acres through conservation easements. ... This plan must encompass terrain with similar characteristics to the area affected by the project, namely higher elevation and suitable for bears,” wrote Volz and Coen.

Burke remained unconvinced. “While (the Deerfield Wind Project) might be able to develop a mitigation plan that adequately compensates for the direct loss of habitat, there is no foreseeable scenario in which it could mitigate the indirect impact of displacing bears down to lower elevations. Even if substantial economic benefits combined with dramatic mitigation steps could shift the balance of costs and benefits, neither exists in this docket at present,” wrote Burke.

Iberdrola Renewables communications manager Paul Copelman said the Deerfield Wind Project will submit an acceptable mitigation plan, but he did not provide the specifics. “We will work with the appropriate state agencies to develop that plan,” said Copelman.

Construction of the wind project will generate approximately 150 jobs, but Copelman did not have a time frame when they will hire or start construction. Copelman did emphasize that Iberdrola Renewables will hire local labor.

“At the recent construction of our Lempster project in New Hampshire, contractors and crews from New Hampshire and New England helped build the project,” said Copelman. “Additionally, supplies and services including concrete, electrical cable, fuel, sand, food, and lodging were purchased locally.”

John Zimmerman, president of Vermont Environmental Research Associates, was involved in the project at its inception. Zimmerman moved on when Iberdrola Renewables purchased the Deerfield Wind Project, but he said he was pleased that the wind project came to fruition. “This was the result of a lot of hard work from a lot of people.

“My hat goes off to Deerfield Wind and Iberdrola Renewables who saw it through,” said Zimmerman. “If green power is going to be developed nationwide, the Deerfield Wind Project now plays a major role.”

Searsburg resident Jerry DeGray was disappointed with the PSB’s ruling. DeGray has been a longtime opponent of the project and is deeply “concerned” about opening the national forests to industrial development.

He respects the PSB’s final decision and the need for alternative energy. But he maintains that 15 new windmills will negatively impact the local community. “I am disturbed by the fact that placing these giant machines near a residential area will have a huge negative impact on the lives of those residents. These negative impacts are easily dismissed when a facility of this magnitude is not proposed near your own home,” said DeGray. “The noise, strobe effect, pulsing red beacons, and negative visual impact are very real and I consider this location to be an irresponsible choice.”

On Wednesday, the Wilmington Selectboard voted not to appeal the PSB’s decision.

Other opponents of the project have not indicated whether they will pursue their own appeal.