Virginia has given a green light to Apex Clean Energy’s 75MW Rocky Forge project, the first wind farm in the state to win environmental approval.
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) cleared the 25-turbine scheme after Apex agreed to a mitigation plan to protect bats, including turning off turbines when bats are likely to be active.
Apex president and chief executive Mark Goodwin said: “Linked with competitive pricing and clear evidence that new clean energy generation attracts major corporate investment, Rocky Forge Wind is set to begin a new chapter in Virginia’s energy future.”
The DEQ approval is the final regulatory hurdle for the project.
Botetourt County officials have already approved the developer’s plan to erect turbines on a ridge-top near existing transmission lines operated by Dominion Power.
County board of supervisors chairman Jack Leffel said: “Rocky Forge will be a large contributor to Botetourt County’s tax base, while having a minimal effect on existing land use of the thousands of acres of rural land in the project area.”
The Charlottesville, Virginia headquartered-developer expects to complete Rocky Forge in 2018.
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