Tagged: Lowell Wind

Vermont's Green Mountain Power wants permission to install equipment that will boost the amount of electricity that its turbines in the Lowell Mountain wind project can put out in the New England grid.

The Caledonian-Record reports that Lowell wind operators noticed Tuesday that three of the 21 turbines were not producing electricity. They said capacity has been curtailed by ISO-New England, which runs the New England grid.

Vermont prosecutors have dismissed a trespass charge against a journalist who was arrested while covering a protest against construction of a wind power facility on Lowell Mountain.

Sixty-eight-year-old Chris Braithwaite, the publisher of the Barton Chronicle, was arrested a year ago while covering the protest that took place when construction was getting under way on the project that is now operational.

The Caledonian Record is reporting Orleans County prosecutors did not say why they dismissed the charge against Braithwaite.

Vermont's largest electric utility says snow stuck to turbine blades caused a roaring sound that drew noise complaints shortly after the Lowell Mountain turbines started operating.

At least 21 neighbors complained about the noise, which began on the morning of Nov. 3 and lasted into Nov. 4.

The neighbors complained to the Vermont Department of Public Service.

Green Mountain Power spokesman Robert Dostis says the excess noise was caused by the weather conditions.

Vermont's largest electric utility has finished work on the last of its 21-turbine wind power project on Lowell Mountain in time to meet an end-of-year deadline to receive federal tax credits for the project.

Green Mountain Power Vice President Robert Dostis says the final turbine was hooked up to the electric grid Tuesday night.

He says testing will continue for the next couple weeks, but the project has met its end-of-the-year deadline.

Dostis tells Vermont Public Radio the $40 million tax credits will help lower the cost of power for customers.