Blank This would be in southeastern Raleigh County- closer to Hinton than to Beckley.- Frank ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
County plans hearing on Pluto wind farm proposal.
A property owner in Pluto is preparing to make his case this month for the advent of a wind farm, installing as many as 18 turbines to generate electricity as an example of clean, renewable energy in Appalachia.
Earl Long will get the floor Sept. 15, the next meeting of the Raleigh County Commission, to outline his proposal.
Actually, the idea had been advanced earlier, but after Tuesday’s meeting, commission president John Humphrey said, “We felt they were not quite prepared to present everything.”
“We need to set it up for a public hearing and to let anyone in that area come in and say whatever is on their mind,” Humphrey said.
“I’m not here today saying this will happen. We’re saying we need to let the public know first of all and give them an opportunity to share concerns for a wind farm.”
Some months ago, an environmental group used economic data in support of another proposed wind farm on the opposite end of Raleigh County as an alternative to coal production.
Long told reporters the idea in his region is being promoted through a management team known as Jobs Project in Williamson, “working to get renewable energy throughout southern Appalachia, the coalfields.”
Some 200 acres would be put up for the project by Long and some of his relatives.
“It’s going to be a joint effort,” he said. “It will be known as Angel Winds.”
To date, no opposition has been voiced to either Long or the commission.
“We’re going to have a community awareness meeting, let the people know what we’re doing,” he said.
“Most of the neighbors are in favor so far, but we haven’t spoken to everyone.”
Long said the project would generate some 20 megawatts of power annually.
“It will be put back into the main power grid and offset the carbon from coal-fired power plants,” he said.
If not for love, then what? There is no wealth but life. (John Ruskin 1819-1900)
http://www.register-herald.com/local/local_story_244222653.html
