As used in this Regulation, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
BUILDING-INTEGRATED WIND-ENERGY FACILITY
A wind-energy facility permanently mounted on a building
or other structure. This definition applies to wind turbines of any
capacity that are designed to be operated in direct contact with a
building.
BYLAW
The Town of Barre Zoning Bylaw.
HEIGHT
The height of a wind turbine measured from natural grade
to the tip of the rotor blade at its highest point, or blade-tip height.
ON-SITE WIND-ENERGY FACILITY
A large wind-energy facility located at a commercial, industrial,
agricultural, institutional, or public facility that will generate
electricity primarily for on-site use.
RATED NAMEPLATE CAPACITY
The maximum rated output of electric power production equipment.
This output is typically specified by the manufacturer with a nameplate
on the equipment.
SHADOW FLICKER
Shadow flicker is caused by sunlight passing through the
swept area of the wind turbine's blades, creating a stroboscopic effect.
SITE (or PROJECT SITE)
The lot or lots on which a wind-energy facility is located,
together with all mandatory setback areas, if any, extending beyond
the boundaries of such lot or lots.
UTILITY-SCALE WIND-ENERGY FACILITY
A commercial wind-energy facility, where the primary use
of the facility is electrical generation to be sold to the wholesale
electricity markets.
WIND-ENERGY FACILITY
All equipment, machinery and structures utilized on a single
site in connection with the conversion of wind to electricity. This
includes, but is not limited to, transmission, storage, collection
and supply equipment, substations, transformers, service and access
roads, and one or more wind turbines.
WIND MONITORING OR METEOROLOGICAL TOWER
A temporary tower equipped with devices to measure wind speeds
and direction. A meteorological tower is used to determine how much
wind power a site can be expected to generate.
WIND TURBINE
A device that converts kinetic wind energy into rotational
energy that drives an electrical generator. A wind turbine typically
consists of a tower, nacelle body, and a rotor with two or more blades.
The following requirements are common to all wind-energy facilities
and must be followed in addition to the technology or class-specific
requirements. All wind-energy facilities shall be constructed and
operated in a manner that minimizes any adverse visual, safety, and
environmental impacts.
A. Compliance with laws, ordinances and regulations. The construction
and operation of all wind-energy facilities shall be consistent with
all applicable local, state and federal requirements, including but
not limited to all applicable safety, construction, environmental,
electrical, communications and Federal Aviation Administration aviation
requirements. Prior to approval of a special permit, the applicant
shall obtain a building permit from the appropriate authority.
B. Proof of liability insurance. The applicant shall be required to
provide evidence of liability insurance in an amount and for a duration
sufficient to cover loss or damage to persons and property occasioned
by the construction and use of any wind-energy facility, including
negligence and acts of God.
C. Site control. The applicant shall submit proof of control of the
project site sufficient to allow for installation and use of the proposed
wind-energy facility. Documentation shall include proof of control
over setback areas and adequate access to the wind-energy facility
from a public way. Control shall include the legal authority to prevent
the use or construction of any structure for human habitation within
the setback areas.
D. Utility notification. No wind-energy facility shall be installed
until evidence has been given that the applicable utility company
has been informed of its customer's intent to install such facility,
and has approved such installation as necessary. Off-grid systems
shall be exempt from this requirement.
E. Utility connections. To the extent reasonably possible, depending
on soil conditions, shape, and topography of the site and the requirements
of the utility provider, utility connections from the wind-energy
facility shall be located underground. Electrical transformers for
utility interconnections may be above the ground if required by the
utility provider.
F. Accessory structures. All structures accessory to a wind-energy facility,
including, but not limited to, equipment shelters, storage facilities,
transformers, and substations, shall be architecturally compatible
with each other and shall be contained within the turbine tower whenever
technically and economically feasible. Whenever reasonable, such structures
should be shaded from view by vegetation and/or located in an underground
vault and joined or clustered to avoid adverse visual impacts.
G. Meteorological towers (met towers). Met towers shall be permitted
under the same standards applicable to small wind-energy facilities,
except that a permit for a temporary met tower shall be valid for
only three years.