US developer Apex Clean Energy has kicked off permitting for an 80MW wind project in Virginia.
Apex proposes to erect up to 25 turbines on a mountain ridge in northern Botecourt County. The company recently installed two meteorological towers at the Rocky Forge site, located near existing transmission lines operated by Dominion Power.
The Charlottesville-based company has filed a ‘special exception permit’ application to the county planning department.
“This represents a big step on the road to bringing clean, homegrown wind energy to Virginia,” said Apex development manager Charlie Johnson.
County officials will conduct a completeness review and are expected to hold a public hearing in early 2016. The planning commission’s recommendation then goes to a vote at the county Board of Supervisors.
Apex plans to hold an information session in December and the project could receive county approval as early as January.
The developer also informed the state Department of Environmental Quality it intends to apply for a ‘permit by rule’ for the project. In addition, Apex has also requested clearance from the Federal Aviation Authority.
The proponent aims to commission the Rocky Forge scheme in 2017.
Image: Wind farm turbines (SXC)
