HOLLAND — A Holland dairy farmer’s efforts to host a single-turbine wind project has taken a step forward with the Vermont Public Service Board’s recent order authorizing Dairy Air Wind a “standard offer” program contract.
Under Vermont law, the standard offer program enables small-scale renewable energy projects to secure long-term, stably priced contracts with Vermont’s electrical distribution utilities.
In 2015, dairy farmer Brian Champney contacted Vermont-based VERA Renewables, Inc. for assistance in realizing his longstanding vision for generating wind power on his farm. The successful standard offer bid for a single turbine project is the result of that collaboration.
“I am excited that our piece of the working landscape can help contribute to Vermont’s renewable energy economy and reduce Vermont’s reliance on dirty out-of-state fossil fuels,” said Champney. “At the same time, this project also helps achieve another important Vermont goal, keeping small farms like ours afloat in the face of low milk prices.”
Under the contract, the project will supply Vermont utilities with approximately 6,000,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy each year. The energy will be generated by a single wind turbine surrounded by the cornfields of the Champney family’s 450-acre Dairy Air Farm in Holland.
“I’ve had positive responses from many of the people I’ve talked to in our community, and I look forward to gathering more input and continuing to answer questions about our proposal as we move forward to make this dairy farm a wind farm too,” said Champney.
The standard offer program’s purpose is to encourage development of renewable energy resources within Vermont, as well as the purchase of renewable power by the state’s electric distribution utilities. Vermont law directs the Public Service Board to administer the standard offer program to help the state achieve its ambitious renewable energy goals.
“This is an exciting opportunity to help local landowners sustain their family-run dairy farm by generating renewable energy in a low-impact setting while contributing substantial tax revenue to the town, and fueling the state’s growing renewable energy economy,” Vermont renewable energy entrepreneur David Blittersdorf said in response to the news.
Blittersdorf is partnering with Dairy Air Farm and VERA Renewables to develop the project.
The project will require a certificate of public good approval from the Vermont Public Service Board before it can be built.
The project team is in the early stages of gathering data to inform the design and permitting process and will be out in the community early in the summer.
Land rape.
Neighbor rape.
I am a neighbor and fully support this project.
Another eyesore.
I do not want this turbine put in. It will drive away wildlife and people. I hope people pull together and shut this project down! I own land near this site and do not want to hear this turbines engine.