On Tuesday, December 6th, dozens of people turned up for the Utilities Commission hearing to hear expert and intervenor testimony in the evidentiary hearing for the proposed wind energy development known as Pantego Wind.  Many passionate speakers expressed their concerns for wildlife in the area or their support for the project. Heather Starck, Executive Director of Audubon NC, spoke on behalf of Audubon, reiterating the written comments that ANC had submitted to the Utilities Commission. For more background on the project case and for Audubon's position, including our written comments, see our previous post from November 28, 2011.

The Commission will make a decision within the next few weeks regarding granting the Certificate for Public Convenience and Necessity.  The Commission staff have recommended approval with conditions. The primary condition would be that the developer satisfy the concerns of state and federal environmental regulators and oversight agencies, with the understanding that the Utilities Commission could revoke the certificate if those conditions were not met.  It remains to be seen how that might work.

-- Curtis Smalling