Last Update: 7 February 2010

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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 site requires a subscription fee for current content.
Access to articles four weeks old or older is free.

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 have been published in 2008-2010 plus links to archive files of older material.
They are in reverse chronological order so the latest info is always at the top.
This is a complete list.

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Articles:

• Small wind turbine approved on Route 609 – 4 February 2010, p. 4.
• SCC examiner says agency’s complaint against wind company should be dismissed – Whether permit has expired still a question – 28 January 2010, p. 4.
• Group says wind project impacts need review – 28 January 2010, p. 5.
• Citizens threaten board over wind project again> – HNWD claims it intends to get federal permit for endangered species – 7 January 2010, p. 7.
• Agency says wind company’s permit expired – 7 January 2010, p. 8, 16.
• Highlanders threaten lawsuit over wind project, again – 30 December 2009, on-line report, not in print edition this week.
• Wind company, agency fine-tune arguments – 24 December 2009, p. 4.
• Federal judge halts wind plant in Greenbrier, WV – Is Virginia utility at risk for shut-down, too? – 17 December 2009, p. 4-5.
• Wind project hearing on again Tuesday, Dec. 22 – 17 December 2009, p. 4.
• Hearing reset on wind project [22 Dec in Richmond] – 10 December 2009, p. 8.
• Battlefield bigger than you think – 3 December 2009, p. 1, 7, 17.
• [Bath Co] Planners start over on wind power ordinance – 26 November 2009, p. 2.
• State line found correct – 26 November 2009, p. 6.
• Wind project hearing off again – 12 November 2009, p. 5.
• McBride calls critics ‘NIMBYs’ – 12 November 2009, p. 5-6.
• Wind project hearing cancelled – 5 November 2009, on-line report, not in print edition this week.
• Agency asks to postpone hearing on wind project – 5 November 2009, on-line report, not in print edition this week.
• Wind project hearing set for Tuesday – Citizens, officials grapple with towers’ effects on Allegheny – 5 November 2009, p. 6, 12.
• Pocahontas turned away at wind site – Boundary commission meeting set for Nov. 19 – 5 November 2009, p. 7.
• Smithsonian connection to wind site questioned – 5 November 2009, p. 8-9.
• Can visual impacts be mitigated? – West Virginia agency accepts grant offer from wind company – 5 November 2009, p. 9, 14, 16, 19.
• Developer improves wind project plans – 5 November 2009, p. 13.
• West Virginia agency says project drainage covered – 5 November 2009, p. 13, 20.
• Agency reviewing wind developer’s analysis – 22 October 2009, p. 13, 15.
• Rare state plants found at wind site – 22 October 2009, p. 14.
• County issues letters to agencies about wind utility – 22 October 2009, p. 14.
• Wind company says no way to lessen impact on battlefield – New analysis under review at Department of Historic Resources – 15 October 2009, on-line report, not in print edition this week.
• Tuesday’s hearing on wind project issues postponed until Nov. 10 – 15 October 2009, p. 7.
• SCC hearing on wind project postponed – State agency receives new studies late Friday, seeks chance to review them – 9 October 2009, on-line report, not in print edition this week.
• Wind plans slow down – Developer, county offer new perspective on plans – 8 October 2009, p. 1, 5.
• Border issue must be resolved, citizens say – 8 October 2009, p. 5, 7.
• Wind project hearing set for Tuesday – 8 October 2009, p. 7-8.
• Are more permits needed for the wind towers? – 8 October 2009, p. 8-9, 13-14.
• Inspector reports no real problems – 8 October 2009, p. 14.
• Governor wants Va.-W.Va. boundary dispute settled – 1 October 2009, p. 5.
• Highland Wind motion denied – Battlefield impacts relevant in Oct. 13 SCC hearing – 24 September 2009, p. 1, 7-8.
• Support for Civil War site ramps up – 24 September 2009, p. 8.
• Wind project case goes to hearing – 17 September 2009, p. 7, 12.
• Governor appoints commission to settle state line dispute – 17 September 2009, p. 12, 17.
• State agencies cooperating on wind project, Secretary says – 17 September 2009, p. 17, 31-32.
• Wind project unlikely to involve federal oversight – An in-depth look at how Virginia’s first wind energy utility has avoided federal agencies — so far – 17 September 2009, p. 32-33.
• Does permitting offer protection? – 17 September 2009, p. 36-37.
• Wind project still faces challenges – 3 September 2009, p. 4.
• Congressman urges SCC to protect battlefield – 3 September 2009, p. 4-5.
• Inspector finds extensive deficiencies in wind plans – 3 September 2009, p. 5, 7.
• Wind developer fails to comply, agency says – State to hear testimony in September – 27 August 2009, p. 5-6, 15.
• DEQ investigates need for industrial permit – 27 August 2009, p. 6-7.
• SCC rejects citizens“ request for wind plan investigation – 27 August 2009, p. 7.
• How is wind work holding up under inspections? – 27 August 2009, p. 7-8.
• Highland Wind warns citizens about legal action – 27 August 2009, p. 8, 14.
• Pocahontas determined to settle state line question – 27 August 2009, p. 15.
• Wind plant under way, but legal challenges come from all corners – 20 August 2009, p. 1, 5.
• Sticky state line issue casts shadow on wind project – 20 August 2009, p. 5-7.
• Agency recommends survey of rare, endangered species – 20 August 2009, p. 7.
• Landowners file notice of legal action on wind plans – 20 August 2009, p. 8.
• Highland citizens ask SCC to halt wind project – 20 August 2009, p. 8, 11.
• Pocahontas, W.Va., considers legal action on border question – WV commission to vote Tuesday on filing declaratory judgment – 13 August 2009, on-line report, not in print edition this week.
• Pocahontas asserts its rights on Va. border – Officals ask for hold on wind tower project – 13 August 2009, p. 1, 5-6.
• Work on wind utility site starting this week – 13 August 2009, p. 6-8.
• W.Va. residents say: Protect Allegheny – 13 August 2009, p. 8, 40.
• W.Va. officials want a say in Virginia wind project plans – Pocahontas officials ask wind developer for immediate consultation – 6 August 2009, on-line report, not in print edition this week.
• Wind utility headed into construction – 6 August 2009, p. 1, 7-8, 14.
• Reaction to wind project varies this week – 6 August 2009, p. 14-15.
• Tough to mitigate towers“ impact on landowners, project manager says – 6 August 2009, p. 15.
• When does wind project permit expire? – 6 August 2009, p. 15-16.
• Wind company says no federal ’nexus“ for project – 6 August 2009, p. 16.
• Preservation group concerned about turbine precedent – 6 August 2009, p. 16.
• County says tower encroachment on WV line not an issue – 6 August 2009, p. 16, 29.
• Wind plan big step closer to approval – 30 July 2009, p. 6-7.
• County urged not to issue permit for wind towers – 30 July 2009, p. 7.
• Corps to visit project site – 30 July 2009, p. 7.
• How will wind turbines really look? – 30 July 2009, p. 13.
• Developer ends talks with state agency – 30 July 2009, p. 14.
• Will construction begin next week? – Supervisors disagree about course of action – 30 July 2009, p. 15.
• Closer, but no cigar – Grueling wind plan review continues – 23 July 2009, p. 5, 8, 15.
• Panel established to discuss wind energy – 23 July 2009, p. 15.
• Wetlands, or no? – 23 July 2009, p. 15-16.
• Supervisor not satisfied – 23 July 2009, p. 17.
• Dates to watch – 23 July 2009, p. 17.
• Does state order lack ’teeth“? – 23 July 2009, p. 17, 32.
• Wind company gives details, but questions linger – 16 July 2009, p. 5, 13.
• State says study inadequate – 16 July 2009, p. 14.
• HNWD urges county to approve erosion plan – 16 July 2009, p. 14-15.
• Is wind company missing a permit? – 16 July 2009, p. 15.
• Engineers change wind utility plans – 16 July 2009, p. 16.
• Dates to watch – 16 July 2009, p. 16.
• Wind project draws doubt from county officials – 9 July 2009, p. 6-7.
• Citizens demand information, protection, from wind utility – 9 July 2009, p. 7-8, 17.
• Landowner says wind utility plans deficient – 9 July 2009, p. 16.
• Dates to watch – 9 July 2009, p. 16.
• Where’s that turbine: Va. or W.Va.? – 9 July 2009, p. 17.
• Drilling under way at wind plant site – County says it needs accurate maps to review utility plans – 2 July 2009, p. 3, 6.
• Wind utility plans in hands of agencies – 25 June 2009, p. 1, 4-5.
• Wind company seeks building permit by July 15 – County begins reviewing site plan – 18 June 2009, p. 1, 3-4, 6.
• What’s left for wind developer to do? – 18 June 2009, p. 3, 5.
• Seven years of wind: A timeline – with 3 photos and a site map – 18 June 2009, p. 5, 12, 20.
• 2 new laws may affect wind project decisions – 23 April 2009, p. 2.
• Was the closed meeting legal? – 23 April 2009, p. 2, 5.
• Highland turbine up & running – Couple goes ‘off the grid’ in Snowy Mountain home – 16 April 2009, p. 1, 6, 11.   (Keith Carson and Polly Newlon’s wind and solar power system)
• Sun, wind systems work together – 16 April 2009, p. 11-13.
• Wind plant site plans on the way, HNWD says – 9 April 2009, p. 7.
• Work on Bath wind ordinance continuing – 2 April 2009, p. 19.
• Who will protect Laurel Fork? – Landowners say county responsible under permit terms for wind utility – 12 March 2009, p. 4.
• Supervisors ask for $1.5 million in stimulus money to pay for wind energy consultants – 5 March 2009, p. 6-7.
• New wind energy regulations pass House – 26 February 2009, p. 8.
• Farmers can save money on energy – including a brief discussion of small wind power – 26 February 2009, p. 13.
• Wind, renewable energy bills move across the aisle – 19 February 2009, p. 20.
• [Rick] Webb to speak on wind energy at garden club meeting – 19 February 2009, p. 29.
• Wind, renewable energy bills still alive this session – 12 February 2009, p. 9.
• Renewable energy bills still alive in session – 5 February 2009, p. 3.
• Request for wind plant details reviewed – 5 February 2009, p. 3.
• Tax breaks for developers could cut county tax revenue – Highland supervisors oppose wind energy bill – 29 January 2009, p. 1, 3, 5.
• Wind utility permit conditions still a concern – State agency, Highland residents seek more information from developer – 29 January 2009, p. 5.
• Bills aim to give wind developers a break – 29 January 2009, p. 8.
• Wind industry legislation introduced again this year – Frank Wagner strikes again – 22 January 2009, p. 3.
• HNWD project temporarily stalled – BOS received a copy of a letter from John Flora to the SCC regarding lack of financing for HNWD – 8 January 2009, p. 2.
• Ordinances on towers, lighting in the works – Bath County wind-energy ordinance is discussed here – 1 January 2009, p. 4.
• Can wind plant hurt Laurel Fork? – Landowners near utility site want chance to review plans – 4 December 2008, p. 1, 3.
• Wind energy ordinance drafted for Bath County – 20 November 2008, p. 1, 6.
• Wind company still looking for money – Energy market down, but developer optimistic about plans – 6 November 2008, p. 3, 5.
• Wind project owner resists state’s request – Developer has less than a year before permit expires – 30 October 2008, p. 2, 7.
• Bath gets inquiry about wind energy – 30 October 2008, p. 7.
• Board doesn’t want to be rushed on wind project – 9 October 2008, p. 6.
• Highland ‘wind watch’ group staying involved – 25 September 2008, p. 1, 7.
• One family’s 60-year effort to save special wilderness – 11 September 2008, p. 1-5.
  This article and the next two form what amounts to the “Goodall issue” of The Recorder. The Goodalls own a large tract on Laurel Fork protected by a conservation easement but adjacent to the proposed Highland New Wind project.
• Family, state at odds over property – 11 September 2008, p. 6-7, 12-13.
• New legacy forming – 11 September 2008, p. 13, 16.
• Wind company, state disagree on view study – 4 September 2008, p. 3, 7.
• Bath to test wind energy site scoring – 7 August 2008, p. 1, 9-10, 17.
• Highland New Wind gets close to securing deal with investors – 7 August 2008, p. 1, 7.
• Finding good places for wind towers with scores – 7 August 2008, p. 9.
• Wind energy address in Bath’s plan – 7 August 2008, p. 10.
• Citizens debate plans for national forest land – Wind energy topic breezes by with little comment – 31 July 2008, p. 1, 6.
• Highland New Wind Development launches web site for utility plans – 31 July 2008, p. 2. – They tout themselves as the “greenest windfarm in the world.”
• Highland’s eagle makes big trek to New England – 24 July 2008, p. 1, 6. – Not directly about wind power but the eagle project was started by concerns about the proposed wind project.
• Highland New Wind Development Continues to seek investors for industrial wind Farm Project – 3 July 2008, p. 2.
• Merits of commercial wind power undecided statewide – 26 June 2008, p. 1, 4-6.
• Bath planners learn about wind energy – 26 June 2008, p. 7.
• Views on wind power clash at symposium – 26 June 2008, p. 7-17.
• Wind project seeking investors, securing permits – 8 May 2008, p. 5, 7.
• Who’s really steering wind project? – 1 May 2008, p. 7, 32.
• Residential wind turbine tower approved – 3 April 2008, p. 4.
• Wind project moving ahead; permit concerns still an issue – 3 April 2008, p. 24.
• Eagle watchers succeed in banding birds – 27 March 2008, p. 7. – Not directly about wind power but the eagle project was started by concerns about the proposed wind project.
• State clarifies wind plant permits: Analysis – 13 March 2008, p. 6, 12-13.
• Legislative proposals: What’s the status? – 13 March 2008, p. 10.
• Wind energy project stirs questions about process – 6 March 2008, p. 2, 6.
• Citizens still might sue county – 6 March 2008, p. 6-7.
• Bills switch over to House, Senate – 21 February 2008, p. 3.
• Debate over wind tax credits on again – 14 February 2008, p. 3.
• Supervisors prepare for wind project – 7 February 2008, p. 1, 6.
• Board won’t require incidental take permit – 7 February 2008, p. 7.
• 3 of 4 utility bills still afloat – 7 February 2008, p. 7.
• Highland wind project largely ‘symbolic,’ SCC commissioner says – 31 January 2008, p. 1, 5-6.
• Friends of Pendleton reply to U.S. Fish & Wildlife – 31 January 2008, p. 5.
• FOBPC weighs in on wind energy in national forests – 31 January 2008, p. 6-7, 12-13, 15.
• Utility bills concern Highlanders – 31 January 2008, p. 15. – Update on energy related bills. SB324 exempting small generating plants from SCC oversight has been withdrawn.
• Is another wind battle in Pendleton County’s future? – 24 January 2008, p. 1, 6-7.
• Utility bills concern Highlanders – 24 January 2008, p. 7. – SB321 and SB324 concern renewable-energy projects.
• Wind project, next steps: ‘Wait and see’ – 10 January 2008, p. 7.
• State approves wind plant permit – Residents, supervisors consider next moves – 3 January 2008, p. 1, 4-5.
• What will the county do next? – 3 January 2008, p. 5, 7.
• Permit contains strict conditions for environment – 3 January 2008, p. 6, 28-29.
   
• Archive of 2007 Articles
• Archive of 2006 Articles
• Archive of 2005 Articles
• Archive of 2004 Articles

Editorials:

• Weak process results in bad outcomes – 28 January 2010, p. 14.
• Best of intentions – 7 January 2010, p. 18.
• Limit the liability – 17 December 2009, p. 18.
• The people might be right on this – 5 November 2009, p. 18.
• What have we learned? – 8 October 2009, p. 18.
• Pictorial – The entrance to Red Oak Knob is getting a serious upgrade . . . – 24 September 2009, p. 18.
• Who’s being stubborn? – 17 September 2009, p. 18.
• SCC must stick by its orders – 27 August 2009, p. 18.
• DEQ, here’s a job for you – 30 July 2009, p. 18.
• Make it stop – 23 July 2009, p. 18.
• Top 10 reasons not to invest in Highland Wind – 9 July 2009, p. 18.
• No stone unturned – 18 June 2009, p. 18-19.
• Rubber, meet road – 16 April 2009, p.18, regarding the HNWD site plan, promised for May.
• Pictorial: The difference between industrial wind turbines . . . and residential ones is enormous. – 16 April 2009, p.18.
• Bailing out wind energy project is a misuse of stimulus money – Guest View By Rick Webb, Senior Scientist, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia – 12 March 2009, p. 17.
• Spending more on wind won’t change landscape – 5 March 2009, p. 15.
• No good deed goes unpunished – 29 January 2009, p. 13.
• 2009 rich in goals to meet – The pending project in Highland and the developing ordinance in Bath are among the items covered – 1 January 2009, p. 19.
• Who is calling the shots? – 4 December 2008, p. 19.
• Getting ahead of the game – 20 November 2008, p. 19.
• Which way is the wind blowing? – 30 October 2008, p. 19.
• A rare gift threatened – 11 September 2008, p. 19.
• Holding hallowed ground – 4 September 2008, p. 19.
• Zero in on land protection – 3 July 2008, p. 19.
• Resist the wind – 14 August 2008, p. 19.
• What’s really at risk with federal permit? – 7 February 2008, p. 19.
• SCC stands by Virginia – 3 January 2008, p. 19.
   
• Archive of 2007 Editorials
• Archive of 2006 Editorials
• Archive of 2005 Editorials
• Archive of 2004 Editorials

Letters:

• Wind industry committing fraud, reader argues – Jim Wiegand, Redding CA – 24 December 2009, p. 15.
• Highland will never be the same if turbines go up – Richard Laska, Allegheny Mountain, WV – 17 December 2009, p. 19.
• Who wants these towers in their back yards? – John Vinson, Monterey, VA – 26 November 2009, p. 19.
• Resident takes issue with McBride’s statement – Dawn Baldwin Barrett, Pocahontas County, WV – 19 November 2009, p. 15.
• An open letter to concerned citizens – Dawn Baldwin Barrett, Lewisburg, WV – 29 October 2009, p. 20.
• Put brakes on wind project until issues are settled – G.K. McClung, Hightown, VA – 8 October 2009, p. 19.
• Citizens urged to consider choices for Pocahontas – Martin Saffer, President, Pocahontas County Commission, Marlinton, WV – 8 October 2009, p. 19.
• Recorder wind coverage educates the public – Lucile Miller, Laurel Fork, VA – 8 October 2009, p. 20.
• An open letter to Tal McBride, Highland Wind – Dawn Baldwin Barrett, Brightside Acres, Pocahontas County, WV – 17 September 2009, p. 19.
• State will not protect Highland from wind – Jimmy Carter, Gastonia, NC – 10 September 2009, p. 19-20.
• Supervisors ought to check the definition of ’representation“ – Jimmy Carter, Gastonia, NC – 27 August 2009, p. 19.
• County cannot abdicate its duties to state agencies – Orren L. Royal, Dublin, VA – 27 August 2009, p. 19.
• Surveyor says Va., W.Va. boundary at top of Allegheny – Jeff Hiner, Land Surveyor, Monterey, VA – 20 August 2009, p. 24.
• Off-grid living: An update – Keith Carson, Contributing Writer – 20 August 2009, p. 24.   (Followup to article on 16 April.)
• There are more important things in life than money – Lee Taplinger, Mustoe, VA – 13 August 2009, p. 19.
• Reader cites propaganda from wind industry – Jim Wiegand, Redding, CA – 6 August 2009, p. 19.
• Photo simulations of towers don't provide real picture – Missy Moyers-Jarrells, Staunton, VA – 6 August 2009, p. 20.
• Americans being steamrolled by wind industry – Jim Wiegand, Redding, CA – 30 July 2009, p. 19.
• Wind utility plans woefully inadequate – Orren L. Royal, Dublin, VA – 9 July 2009, p. 19.
• Support those opposed to the wind project – Michael W. Armstrong, Mill Gap, VA – 2 July 2009, p. 19.
• ‘Off the grid’ feature a welcome read on energy – Ken Gassman, Glen Allen, VA – 30 April 2009, p. 15.
• Reader questions developer’s statements about wind plan – Jimmy Carter, Gastonia, NC – 23 April 2009, p. 19.
• Highland board ignoring the rules of good government – Rick Webb, Mustoe, VA – 2 April 2009, p. 15-16.
• Office holders must be held accountable for their actions – Orren L. Royal, Dublin, VA – 26 March 2009, p. 18.
• These mountains deserve better than wind utilities – Jimmy Carter, Gastonia, NC – 19 March 2009, p. 16.
• Highlander opposes forum speakers on wind – Rick Webb, Mustoe, VA – 26 February 2009, p. 16.
• All landowners can generate electric power – Nick Pollok, Richmond, VA – 12 February 2009, p. 20.
• No taxes, no windmills says Highland resident – David Kiser, Blue Grass, VA – 5 February 2009, p. 14.
• Highland people have no say about wind utility – Jimmy Carter, Gastonia, NC – 5 February 2009, p. 14.
• Highland resident urges state agency to hold its ground with HNWD – C. Nelson Hoy, Williamsville, VA – 13 November 2008, p. 20.
• Wind energy pure folly, mocks environmentalism – Sue Sliwinski, Sardinia, NY – 23 October 2008, p. 20.
• Which is worse — wind turbines or bulldozers? – Roscoe Moyers Bartow, WV – 16 October 2008, p. 20.
• Investors should be wary of Highland wind project – Orren L. Royal, Dublin, VA – 28 August 2008, p. 22.
• Even residential wind tower will kill birds – Orren L. Royal, Dublin, VA – 10 April 2008, p. 21.
• Wind energy sneaking in under cloak of darkness – Larry Thomas, Franklin, WV – 3 April 2008, p. 20-21.
• Maybe the SCC should focus on corporations – Orren LeRoyce Royal, Dublin, VA – 6 March 2008, p. 21.
• SCC judge’s comments insulting to Highlanders – Wayne Stokes Goodall, Hightown – 14 February 2008, p. 20.
• McBride name will be remembered in Highland – William D. Erving, Parker, CO – 14 February 2008, p. 20.
• Supervisors should protect county’s interests – Richard Holman, Monterey – 7 February 2008, p. 20.
• Pristine beauty of Highland being traded – Orren L. Royal, Dublin, VA – 17 January 2008, p. 20.
   
• Archive of 2007 Letters
• 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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