Suffolk council postpones vote on wind-energy plan

Posted to: Environment News Suffolk

By Dave Forster
The Virginian-Pilot
© October 15, 2008

The City Council postponed its vote tonight to Nov. 5 on an ordinance to allow the construction of wind turbines.

Council members expressed support for the proposed ordinance but had questions over the size of some setback requirements.

The ordinance would allow the construction of wind turbines of up to 500 feet. Turbines that large would require a conditional-use permit and could be built only in certain areas. Smaller turbines – those no higher than 120 feet – would be permitted as a matter of right in some areas.

The Department of Energy rates Suffolk a 1 on a 5-point wind assessment scale, with 5 the windiest. By comparison, the Virginia Beach coastline and the Eastern Shore rate a 3, according to a city staff report.

Still, the city has received requests to allow turbines, and the zoning administrator has concluded that the city's Unified Development Ordinance doesn't allow them.

"While Suffolk has a low wind capture rate, it is anticipated that more requests for wind turbine will be forthcoming with anticipated rises in electric power rates," the staff report said.

The conditions include restrictions on visual appearance. For example, the turbine must have a galvanized finish and be a non-obtrusive color, such as white, off-white or gray. It also cannot display advertising, except for identification of the manufacturer, facility owner and operator.

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Nope

Submitted by ILikeSnacks on Wed, 10/15/2008 at 7:37 pm.

America is behind in developing alternative energy because for the last eight years we have had two oil men in the White House. It is time to turn America around and head in the right direction.

The US is second in the world for wind energy installations at 17,000 megawatts. Germany is first and Spain third. Most other countries have only have very small installations. Partisanship tends to make you ignorant...don't participate in it.

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I see no issue

Submitted by ILikeSnacks on Wed, 10/15/2008 at 7:31 pm.

I see no issue with letting people go ahead if they want to blow the bucks. The poor wind resources in the area means they're unlikely to be popping up all over the place.

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Light 'Em Up

Submitted by factfinder on Wed, 10/15/2008 at 5:33 pm.

I would imagine a strobe or flashing red light to warn aircraft would sit atop these towers. Now that will look appealing. Everyone love sthem on the 300-foot cellphone towers.

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America is behind

Submitted by Chris33 on Wed, 10/15/2008 at 5:11 pm.

America is behind in developing alternative energy because for the last eight years we have had two oil men in the White House. It is time to turn America around and head in the right direction.

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