News and Updates

On Tuesday, January 3, 2012, the U.S. Forest Service approved the construction of a 15-turbine wind energy facility on the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont today, which will provide enough electricity to power about 13,000 homes annually.  The completion of this project marks the culmination of an environmental analysis and record of decision for the proposal to construct and operate a commercially viable, utility-scale wind energy facility on the national forest in the towns of Searsburg, and Readsboro next to the Searsburg Wind Facility operated by Green Mountain Power Company on private land.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s selection of this project for expedited review in accordance with the Presidential Memorandum on “Speeding Infrastructure...

The Forest Service has completed its initial screening of the Cleghorn Ridge renewable energy project application by the November 30th deadline.  Prompt action was made possible by the agency’s new wind energy policy which includes the procedures and considerations for screening proposals, issuing site testing and feasibility permits, and authorizing construction and operation activities.  The Forest Service has given the Cleghorn Ridge proposal review the highest possible priority.

The initial screening raised concerns that the Cleghorn Ridge proposal would affect inventoried roadless area, a national scenic trail, a natural research area, a popular recreation trail, and a fuelbreak that is critical for fire suppression activities. The screening process...