What's Our Schedule

Developing a wind power project is a slow and thoughtful process in Vermont. Experience has shown that conducting environmental, electrical interconnection and other technical assessments and studies can take over a year, with additional time needed for integration with information gained from public participation and input from state and federal agencies. Subsequent review by Vermont regulators, under the Vermont Title 30, Section 248 process for electric generation facilities, can then be expected to take at least 12 additional months. Once approved, construction is estimated to take up to one year. It is possible KCW will be generating electricity in the late 2012 timeframe.

A Feasibility Assessment conducted in early 2008 by Vermont Environmental Research Associates (VERA), drawing in part upon earlier environmental and other investigations, did not identify any constraints or limitations to the development of this clean, renewable-energy project. As KCW proceeds with careful and thoughtful planning and development, it will continue to draw on local and in-state guidance and resources.

Engineering and design work evaluated access to and along the ridgeline, including stormwater and erosion controls, and to connect to the existing electrical transmission system. Ongoing ecological field surveys and engineering work were conducted in 2008 and 2009. KCW received approval from the Vermont Public Service Board to install temporary wind measurement stations in 2010 in order to take advantage of improvements in measurement station technology, as well as gather the additional data necessary to site the individual turbines and take full advantage of advancements in turbine technology. As more information is learned, including working in close conjunction with state agencies to assess potential impacts to special ecological and topographical features, project designs will be adjusted in order to maximize KCW’s energy resource.

The Permitting Process. Vermont’s Certificate of Public Good.

Environmental assessments are necessary to plan and prepare project design work, and ultimately to provide environmental data for the state and federal approval processes. This work is being done in consultation with Vermont agencies including the Agency of Natural Resources (VANR) and the Department of Public Service (DPS).

KCW is gathering information to assist in the assessment of the project in the following areas:

• Avian assessmentThreatened and endangered species assessments                    
• Natural communities assessments
• Water resource assessments
• Wetlands assessments
• Mammals (including bats) and wildlife habitat assessments            
• Aesthetic and visual assessment
• Historic sites, cultural, and archaeology assessment
• Sound assessment
• Economic assessment
• Airspace and Shadow Flicker

Specialists in these subject areas, with a preference for those living in Vermont, have assisted with the work. In addition to providing information for facility design work, studies were performed at a level to meet or exceed permitting standards and requirements. A list of permits the project will most likely require follows:

State Regulatory

Federal Regulatory