BY JEANNE MILES, Staff Writer
Friday April 7, 2006

EMDC, a Montpelier-based wind developer, has sold its wind development rights on East Haven Mountain to Burke Mountain Academy and Burke 2000, owner of the ski area, ending a battle over a proposed wind test tower on nearby East Haven Mountain.

The agreement consolidates control of any future expansion at or around the ski area and wind power development on nearby East Haven Mountain into one entity, according to a release issued Thursday by EMDC.

Under the terms of the agreement, Burke Mountain Academy is withdrawing its objection to a wind-measurement tower on East Haven Mountain and EMDC is selling development rights for the tower and any wind project that might follow. EMDC owns about 300 acres on East Haven Mountain.

"We would much rather cooperate than fight," David Rapaport, vice president of East Haven Windfarm, said Thursday.

If and when Burke 2000 wants to develop a wind farm on East Haven Mountain, EMDC will work with them, Rapaport said.

Kirk Dwyer, headmaster of BMA, testified during hearings before the Public Service Board that the tower and potential wind development on East Haven Mountain would jeopardize future development of the ski area. The Ginn Company bought controlling shares of Burke 2000 in November 2005. The Florida-based developer of high-end resorts, has plans to build up to 850 housing units and a golf course. The extent of development is still in the planning stages, according to Tim McGuire, vice president of development for the Ginn Company. In February of this year, EMDC asked the PSB to reopen the case, claiming the sale of the mountain disproved what Dwyer was claiming. The PSB agreed to more testimony, but no hearings were scheduled. This agreement between the mountain and EMDC ends the dispute.

Reached by phone Thursday, Dwyer said he could not comment on the agreement.

Both parties acknowledge the economic benefits of expanded development on the mountain as well as the development of clean, renewable and low-cost wind power in the Northeast Kingdom, the release states. "Recognizing our common interests, we have also agreed to cooperate to achieve mutually beneficial improvements to the regions` electrical system," the release continues.

The agreement does not have anything to do with EMDC`s proposed wind project on East Mountain in East Haven at the former U.S. Air Force radar base, Rapaport said. Hearing officer Kurt Janson recommended that the PSB deny a certificate of public good for four 329-foot wind turbines because they would be located in the heart of thousands of acres of conserved lands.

Oral arguments on EMDC`s response to Janson`s recommendation will be heard in Montpelier May 4.