Wind Project Developers Reduce Number Of Proposed Turbines

WINDHAM, Vt. (AP) — Developers seeking to build a commercial wind project in Vermont say they're willing to reduce the number of turbines and increase annual payments to town residents.

Paul Copleman, a spokesman for Spanish energy company Iberdrola Renewables, says the number of turbines proposed for Windham has dropped from 20 to 16. The four turbines removed from the original plan were closest to the center of town.

Copleman says each full-time resident will receive an annual payment of at least $1,162, on top of money paid to the town in taxes and supplemental payments.

Iberdrola will pay $395,000 in property taxes.

Windham and Grafton residents are set to vote on the project Nov. 8. Iberdrola has said it will honor the outcome.

If approved, developers say the turbines could be spinning as soon as 2019.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]