The proposal to put eight wind commercial wind turbines in Colebrook and Prospect advanced further this week as the Colebrook section had a hearing before the Connecticut Siting Council.
The Siting Council has the sole authority to approve power plant projects in the state. The council is reviewing the turbine proposal by BNE Energy of West Hartford under a special fast-track method afforded to green energy projects by the Connecticut General Assembly.
The Colebrook proposal was reviewed by the council Tuesday and Wednesday. It calls for six 500-foot wind turbines spread out over two locations.
The proposal has met strong opposition from residents of Colebrook and Prospect, who are concerned about the safety of turbines located near residences and the impact on the natural environment.
The BNE projects – the first commercial wind project proposal in Connecticut – has meet with such strong opposition that the General Assembly’s Energy & Technology Committee passed a bill placing a moratorium on all wind projects until specific regulations are written for wind turbines. Currently, Connecticut doesn’t have regulations specific to any one source of electricity generation.
The Connecticut House of Representatives has yet to take up the committee’s proposal, although this legislative session lasts until June 8.
The Connecticut Siting Council can make its decision as early as May.
