(RALEIGH, N.C.)-Two North Carolina counties recently granted conditional use permits for building the state’s first commercial-scale wind energy project. The “Desert Wind” energy project is planned to span 20,000 acres of land in Perquimans and Pasquotank counties. Atlantic Wind, a subsidiary of the world’s largest wind energy company, Iberdrola Renewables, is developing the 150-turbine project near Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Conditional use permits are local land use entitlements without which the project could not proceed. Other regulatory approvals are necessary before construction will begin.
In separate hearings, each county’s Board of County Commissioners granted a conditional use permit following six hours of expert testimony covering engineering, environmental and operational aspects of the project. The permit approvals follow the counties’ previous approvals of economic incentives for the project, which is the largest commercial investment ever in these two counties.
Construction of the wind energy project will provide investment and jobs to the area and, once operating, “Desert Wind” is planned to provide 300 megawatts of clean, sustainable power to between 55,000 and 70,000 homes.
Lawyers in the Energy and Environmental practices of Parker Poe represented Iberdrola and its Atlantic Wind subsidiary in hearings before both Boards. Henry Campen, a partner in the Firm’s Energy Practice and the team leader conducting the permit hearings, noted that “Securing the conditional use permits is a big step in bringing Desert Wind to North Carolina.”
About Iberdrola
Iberdrola Renewables, Inc. is headquartered in Portland, Ore, with more than 850 employees at the end of 2010. It is part of the Iberdrola Renovables global group, the world's leading provider of wind power with more than 12,500 megawatts of renewable energy in operation around the world, and more than 4,700 megawatts of that wind power located in the U.S. www.iberdrolarenewables.us
About Parker Poe
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP has 230 lawyers in six offices located in major markets across North Carolina and South Carolina. The Firm provides legal counsel to commercial and public organizations on corporate, finance, litigation, real estate and regulatory matters. It has been recognized in recent years as one of the fastest growing law firms in the United States and as an award-winning leader in the use of technology to provide clients with improved and more efficient service.