Archive of 2007 Material

Articles | Editorials | Letters to the Editor

The Recorder is a weekly newspaper published in Monterey, VA.
Anne E. Adams, Publisher and Editor

P O Box 10, Monterey, VA 24465
540-468-2147
e-mail:   recorder@htcnet.org

The Recorder launched an on-line service in April 2005.
Please visit TheRecorderOnline for all non-wind local news.
We will link directly to this site for any wind articles posted there.
The Recorder changed its on-line service in July 2007. All links have been updated to the new site.

The Recorder has provided continuing in-depth coverage of the wind-power issue in Highland County as it has developed for several years.
Listed below are all items that were published in 2007.
They are in reverse chronological order so the latest info is at the top. This is a complete list.

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Articles:

• Articles published on or after 3 January 2008
   
• Wind project decision another step closer – 15 November 2007, p. 6-7.
• SCC official recommends monitoring wind energy project for its lifespan – 18 October 2007, p. 7, 9.
• County prevails in wind case – 20 September 2007, p. 1, 5-7.   In addition to the Supreme Court decision, which was decided on legal technicalities rather than the merits of the case, this article includes information on HNWD’s ability to pay for ongoing monitoring of wildlife impacts.
• Last of arguments on wind energy plan submitted to SCC – 13 September 2007, p.1, 5-7.
• Bracing for wind in Bath – National forest land may get industry local officials can’t control – 26 July 2007, p. 1, 3.
• SCC hears more on wind project – 19 July 2007, p. 3.
• Sidebar: Liberty Gap does not ask PSC to reconsider W.Va. wind proposal – 19 July 2007, p. 3.
• Experts debate wind project, again – 12 July 2007, p. 4-5.
• Wind energy, pool project stir debate on county’s future – ‘You can take it or leave it,’ supervisor says – 5 July 2007, p. 1, 5.
• Jack Mountain wind permit denied – Liberty Gap likely to appeal – 28 June 2007, p. 1, 4-5.
• Utility application lacking, state says – 28 June 2007, p. 4-6.
• WWind project case heard by Virginia Supreme Court – 14 June 2007, p. 1, 6-7.
• Sidebar: Wind project lawsuits: Where things stand – 14 June 2007, p. 6.
• WV recommends denying wind permit – 24 May 2007, p. 1, 3. PSC staff advises against the Liberty Gap project.
• Wind energy carries risk to environment, study finds – 10 May 2007, p. 1, 4-6. Summary of the National Research Council report.
• Scientist says Virginia, SCC should consider wind energy report – 10 May 2007, p. 5, 7.
• HNWD’s project: Where do things stand? – 10 May 2007, p. 6.
• Wind energy report released – 3 May 2007, p. 43.
• Highland officials defend legal defense – 19 April 2007, p. 3, 5.   Regarding the budget line item for defense of the wind lawsuits.
• Wind project set back 6 months – SCC says it needs more information – 12 April 2007, p. 1, 5.
• Highland New Wind objects to delay in proceedings – 12 April 2007, p. 5.
• Legal arguments continue in wake of SCC examiner’s recommendation for wind energy project approval – 12 April 2007, p. 6, 25-26.
• Sidebar: What happens next? – 12 April 2007, p. 25.
• Eagle eyes wanted – Raptors caught on camera; ‘golden chase’ competition to be held here – 12 April 2007, p. 1, 3-4.   Not directly a wind story but the eagle survey was started in response to HNWD stating that their project would not impact eagles. Three photos and two sidebars are not included in this on-line version.
• [The Nature] Conservancy opposes delaying wind permit review – 5 April 2007, p. 2, 5.
• Comprehensive plan ready to edit – 5 April 2007, p. 5-6. The future of wind power in Highland will be touched on in the comp plan.
• Tornado tears swath on Allegheny Mtn. – 5 April 2007, p. 43. Including Tamarack Ridge, site of proposed wind turbines.
• Citizens ask for hold on wind plan – 15 March 2007, p. 1, 6.
• Turbines get initial OK by SCC – Highland a step closer to having state’s 1st wind-generating electric utility – 8 March 2007, p. 1, 4.
• GW national forest plan to explore wind energy – 1 March 2007, p. 1, 12.
• Bath plans cautious on industrial wind energy – 22 February 2007, p. 4, 7.
• Sidebar: House passes new version of wind-related legislation – 22 February 2007, p. 7.   SB 1351 is no longer a threat.
• Supreme Court to hear wind cases – 15 February 2007, p. 1, 3.   Included as page 2 of this link are the next two articles listed below.
• Sidebar: $200,000 in legal fees spent by county – 15 February 2007, p. 3.   See link above.
• Bill [SB 1351] could affect wind project – 15 February 2007, p. 3.   See link above.
• Will wind case wind up in Supreme Court? – Feb. 14 panel to hear 10-minute arguments – 1 February 2007, p. 1, 3.
• Bath planner urges need for ridgetop protection – 25 January 2007, p. 1, 3.
• Wind utility can be approved on most permit criteria, SCC says – Environmental issues must still be resolved by agency – 25 January 2007, p. 1, 4.   Complete text of the SCC Staff memo to the Commissioners. [144 kB]
• HNWD ready to ‘move ahead’ – 25 January 2007, p. 4-5.
• Environmental effects real, Conservancy says – 25 January 2007, p. 5-6.
• Highlanders say HNWD failed to prove its case – State didn’t get all the information it asked for – 25 January 2007, p. 7-8.
• Highland officials consider holding wind projects 5 years – 25 January 2007, p. 8-9.   Moratorium proposed by planning chairman Jim Cobb.
• Revising land use plans: Group prepares for toughest chapter – 25 January 2007, p. 8, 10.   The land-use section of Highland’s comprehensive plan is up for review on 20 February.
• Land use plan review hitting home stretch – 4 January 2007, p. 3.   Nothing specific about wind but the comprehensive plan is key to future wind projects in Highland.
• Planners prepare for wind energy, ridge debate – 4 January 2007, p. 3.   Planning Commission chair Jim Cobb said, “We’ll address wind turbine problems and ridge line stuff [in February]. I think I’ve pretty much got my own ideas as how we can nail that down that’s going to satisfy everybody.” Stay tuned.
   
• Archive of 2006 Articles
• Archive of 2005 Articles
• Archive of 2004 Articles

Editorials:

• Editorials published on or after 3 January 2008
   
• Getting the math right – 18 October 2007, p. 21.
• Power brokers issue false claims about power – 20 September 2007, p. 19-20.
• Citizens have power of truth – 5 July 2007, p. 17.
• Don’t leave ‘wiggle room’ for wind companies – 28 June 2007, p. 19.
• No end in sight soon – 14 June 2007, p. 19.
• Allegheny Highlands no place for experiments – 17 May 2007, p. 19.
• One step forward, 2 steps back – 12 April 2007, p. 19.
• Plans need a new plan – 5 April 2007, p. 19.   Regarding ongoing comp-plan reviews in Bath and Highland.
• Justice may yet prevail for citizens – 8 March 2007, p. 19.
• Time to talk wind, again – 1 March 2007, p. 19.   The US Forest Service is now considering wind development.
• End run should be stopped – 15 February 2007, p. 19.   Regarding SB1351, which would legitimize the backwards planning process by which HNWD was approved.
• Arguments made simple by state law – 25 January 2007, p. 19.
• Pictorial – 25 January 2007, p. 19, regarding the proposed moratorium on wind development. [357 kB]
   
• Archive of 2006 Editorials
• Archive of 2005 Editorials
• Archive of 2004 Editorials

Letters:

• Letters published on or after 3 January 2008
   
• Writer corrects numbers in letter to SCC on wind – Orren L. Royal, Dublin, VA – 22 November 2007, p. 20.   Correction of the error noted in Dr. Royal’s letter, below.
• Wind energy driven by dollars, government – John Droz Jr., Brantingham Lake, NY – 1 November 2007, p. 20.   This is an excellent letter summarizing the main problems with wind power.
• How much is an eagle worth? reader asks SCC – Orren L. Royal, Dublin, VA – 1 November 2007, p. 20-21.   Dr. Royal presents some calculations on wildlife monitoring and mitigation costs. The calculation of revenue loss per day for shutting down the turbines is overly simplistic but, given that result, the number of days that the turbines can be idled for mitigation of wildlife mortality under the proposed SCC protocol is overstated by a factor of ten, due to the use of 0.085 times the previous year’s revenues rather than a factor of 0.0085 as given in the SCC report.
• Wind energy project isn’t just about view shed – Sandy Hevener, Blue Grass – 4 October 2007, p. 20
• Highlander responds to Lynchburg editorial – John Vinson Monterey – 4 October 2007, p. 20
• Wind energy company is ignoring the facts – Orren L. Royal, Dublin, VA – 27 September 2007, p. 20
• Incumbent supervisors aren’t defending county – Judy Skeen Monterey, VA – 27 September 2007, p. 20
• Highland: Virginia’s dumping ground? – Pen Goodall, Monterey, VA – 27 September 2007, p. 20
• Pull together to ‘go green’ in the future – Kevin McCune, Millboro – 2 August 2007, p. 20
• Survey could have saved lawsuit costs – Rich Holman, Monterey – 2 August 2007, p. 20
• Wind company expert testimony ‘ludicrous’ – Orren L. Royal, Dublin, VA – 26 July 2007, p. 20-21
• Liberty Gap wind may view county as target – Robin Sullenberger, Supervisor, Mill Gap – 12 July 2007, p. 20
• Resident optimistic after hearings on wind plant – Eve Firor, Franklin, WV – 10 May 2007, p. 22
• Democracy has been lost on Highland supervisors – Brenda Tekin, Charlottesville, VA – 3 May 2007, p. 20-21
• Reader agrees: Highland legal defense a waste – Jim Brown, Warm Springs – 12 April 2007, p. 20
• Why is Conservancy rushing on wind debate? – Tempe Brown, Monterey – 12 April 2007, p. 20
• 39 megawatts a paltry amount of electricity – Orren L. Royal, Dublin, VA – 12 April 2007, p. 20   [Wind resources at the HNWD site are class 4-5 but the output is still paltry.]
• County’s legal defense fees are an outright waste – Larry Held, Monterey – 5 April 2007, p. 20
• Highland wind power not worth the price – George J. Bagot, Barnhart, MO – 29 March 2007, p. 18
• Bath would be wise to know candidates position – Orren L. Royal, Dublin, VA – 22 March 2007, p. 18
• Reader takes issue with letter from ERT – G. K. McClung, Hightown – 22 March 2007, p. 18 [see Hathaway letter, below]
• Promote truth, don’t wallow in hypocrisy – Alden Hathaway, Washington, DC – 15 March 2007, p. 20
• N.Y. Times wind project article misses the mark – Sandy Hevener, Blue Grass – 22 February 2007, p. 20
• Blue Grass landowner pleads with SCC on wind – Orren L.Royal, Dublin, VA – 18 January 2007, p. 16.
   
• Archive of 2006 Letters
• Archive of 2005 Letters
• Archive of 2004 Letters

John R. Sweet, Mustoe, VA

Part of the Backbone Mountain project in Tucker County, WV. These are reported to be 345 feet high while those proposed for Highland are expected to be 400 feet high.   Photo by Sandy Hevener

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