The Recorder

Last Update: 12 June 2009

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 new 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 2006-2008 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. We will add links if we can get digital versions of older items.

Many documents on this web site are posted in Adobe Portable Document Format [PDF]. In order to access these you must have Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. The Reader is free and can be downloaded by clicking the above link. You must then choose the correct version for your computer. If you have a dial-up connection you probably want the Basic version. Even that is 8.7 MB for Windows and 15 MB for Mac, so it will take some time to download. If you have Acrobat integrated with your browser you can click the link to any PDF file and view it in the browser window. To download the file to your computer, right click the link and select “Save Target As” or “Save Link As.”

Articles:

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.
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:

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.
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:

‘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.
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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