Clear Skies, Apex both have upcoming open houses to talk about project in Barre
There are two upcoming open houses for the community to hear about a proposed wind energy project in Barre.
Apex Clan Energy is proposing 47 turbines in Barre that would be 591 feet at the highest tip height.
Clear Skies Above Barre has concerns about the environmental and public health impact of the turbines. Clear Skies will host open house at the Barre Town Hall on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m.
Clear Skies will present a map of proposed turbine locations, and discuss other issues including environmental and health concerns with turbines, why a PILOT payment plan isn’t the best option for the community, “character and fitness” of Apex, and some pros of the project.
“Please join our community for pizza and conversations as we share our specific concerns about the proposed Industrial Turbines in the Town of Barre, Orleans County,” Clear Skies said in an announcement about the meeting at the Town Hall, 14317 West Barre Rd. “Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to swing by. It will be a laid-back event, so stop in anytime between 1-3 p.m.”
Apex also is hosting an open house at the Heritage Wind office at 49 N. Main St. in Albion. The public is welcome to meet Dave Phillips, Apex Clean Energy’s vice president of environmental, at a dinner and open house on Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Attendees are encouraged to ask environmental-related questions, and share feedback. Sandwiches and light refreshments will be provided.
Phillips oversees environmental-related activities for Apex’s land-based wind and solar projects. He leads a coordinated effort with Apex’s project development, business development, and asset management teams to carefully select greenfield sites; support the environmental aspects of project operations, sales, and acquisitions; and bring projects to market that are fully compliant with state and federal regulations, Apex said.
Important aspects of Phillips’s role at Apex include overcoming permitting obstacles with respect to eagles and listed species and working proactively with consultants and regulators to find reasonable solutions for studies, impact avoidance, mitigation, and permitting when necessary.
He is a member of the board of the American Wind Wildlife Institute and serves on the Wind Wildlife Research Fund Advisory Council.
