Says The 25 Planned Wind Turbines Would Be A 'Presumed hazard' To Air Navigation

A preliminary study conducted by the FAA has put a stop to plans to build a wind farm in Botetourt County, VA just north of Roanoke.

The Roanoke Times reports that the FAA said in its preliminary report that the proposed 25 wind turbines would propose a "presumed hazard" to air navigation. The proposal to place the turbines on North Mountain, part of the Botetourt County ridgeline, exceeds the FAA's obstruction standards and would create “an adverse physical or electromagnetic interference effect upon navigable airspace.”

The turbines would stand a tall as 549 feet, and anything over 499 feet is automatically presumed to be a hazard, according to FAA spokeswoman Arlene Salac.

The the company hoping to build the wind farm, Apex Clean Energy, said the FAA will conduct a more detailed study of the site at its request.

The FAA is only one hurdle the company has to clear. It must also get permission from county and state governments before it could build the wind farm.

Still, Apex spokesman Kevin Chandler said that the company hopes to have the wind farm operating by the end of 2017.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.apexcleanenergy.com