Letters to the CT Siting Council

Many letters have been directed to the CT Siting Council by town officials and concerned citizens, requesting a moritorium be declared until regulations can be developed and implemented.  A couple of these are shown below.  There are many more in the same spirit.

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December 16, 2010

Re: Petition 983-BNE Wind Energy, Wind Project, Colebrook
Petition 984-BNE Wind Energy, Wind Project, Colebrook North(Route 44)

Daniel R. Caruso, Chairman
Connecticut Siting Council
Ten Franklin Square
New Britain, CT 06051

Dear Mr. Caruso:

Iam, writing as chairman of the Colebrook Planning and Zoning Commission with respect to the above cited petitions. Each presents not only several potential violations of the town’s zoning regulations, but also contradicts both the spirit and intent of the state-mandated Town Plan of Conservation and Development, as approved in 2006. Accordingly, we request that a public hearing be conducted, locally, in Colebrook, so thatfull attention and focus can be provided on the widespread implications that the pending petitions create.

Further, given the significant precedents and massive impacts, for both the small rural town of Colebrook andfor the state at large, posed by the petitions, we urge that the Siting Council impose a moritorium until appropriate standards and regulations have been established by yourselves, and at the state and local level.

Very truly yours,

John C. Garrels

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December 20, 2010

Mr. Daniel F. Caruso, Chairman
Members of the Connecticut Siting Council
Ten Franklin Square, New Britain, Connecticut 06051

Re: Petition 983 – BNE Wind Energy; Wind Project, Colebrook
Petition 984 – BNE Wind Energy; Wind Project, Colebrook North (Route 44)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

On behalf ofthe Colebrook Conservation Commission, as its Chairman and a former First Selectman of Colebrook, I respectfully request consideration be given to our concerns as they relate to the above referenced petitions. Please understand we are, both as a Commission and as residents of Colebrook approaching these petitions with an open mind as they relate to conservation and power generation technology. However, with respect to this technology, for us this is a relatively new concept in Northwest Connecticut and brings with it many questions and concerns within our community, both historically and environmentally that have not been addressed or answered satisfactorily.

We request that a public hearing be held in Colebrook for each, petition where all sides may present their data.  To date very limited general public information has been forthcoming.

As mentioned previously, the development of’ Wind Turbines and Wind Farms new to our community. To our knowledge, there are no regulations,’ guidelines or criteria of any sort established by the Siting Council, the State of Connecticut or in fact, by the Town of Colebrook forthese wind energy projects.  However, under current Town of Colebrook Planning and Zoning regulations commercial ventures are not allowed in residential zones. These wind turbines/farms are certainly a commercial venture. We, as both members of the Colebrook Conservation Commission and residents of Colebrook urge the Connecticut Siting Couricil establish a moratorium until the State Legislature and the Town of Colebrook develop appropriate standards for wind energy projects.

One final note – on the Council’s web site under responsibilities, item 1 reads: “balancing the need for adequate and reliable public utility services at the lowest reasonable cost to consumers with the need to protect the environment and ecology of the state and to minimize damage to scenic. historic, and recreational values.”

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Jerome F. Rathbun
Colebrook Conservation Commission

Cc: Ms. Linda Roberts, Executive Director, Connecticut Siting Council
Mr. Thomas McKeon, First Selectman
Board of Selectmen, Town of Colebrook
Mr. John Garrels, III. Chairman
Members, Colebrook Planning and Zoning Commission
Mr. Thomas Stanton, Chairman
Members, Colebrook Inland Wetland and Watercourses Agency
Mr. Manuel Cords, President, Members, Colebrook Land Conservancy, Inc.
Mrs. Kimberly Crocker. Chairman
Members, Colebrook Historical Commission
Mrs. Janet Rathbun, President
Members, Colebrook Historical Society
Mr. Norman J. Glover, Chair
Members, Board of Connecticut Clean Energy Fund
Honorable Richard Blumenthal
Office of the Attorney General, State of Connecticut
State Senator Kevin Witkos
State Representative John Rigby
Richard Lynn, Director, Litchfield Hills Council of Elected Officials

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