The U.S. Forest Service has approved construction of a wind energy facility on the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont.
The 15-turbine wind energy facility, approved Jan. 3, will generate enough electricity to power roughly 13,000 homes annually, and create jobs for the residents of the Green Mountain State. The 15 turbines will stand 389 feet tall and are expected to produce approximately 92,506 MW.
“This permit will bring more jobs and renewable power to the people of Vermont,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell.
The facility, which will be constructed by Deerfield Wind, LLC, a subsidiary of Iberdrola Renewables, will use up to 80 acres of the national forest. Specifically, the facility will be constructed and operated in the towns of Searsburg and Readsboro, Vt., which are located near the Searsburg Wind Facility operated by Green Mountain Power Company on private land.
The Green Mountain National Forest received Deerfield Wind’s application in November 2004 and began a thorough review process in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The agency concluded its review with a decision to approve the proposal on specific conditions.
“The project’s selection on the White House Dashboard, which tracks progress on federal agencies, brought newfound efficiencies to our review process, enabling us to complete our environmental impact statement more expeditiously,” Tidwell said. “We also were given a great opportunity to learn valuable lessons for future wind energy facilities on other national forests around the country.”