The North Carolina Utilities Commission has renewed a certificate to construct a 20,000-acre wind turbine farm in Pasquotank and Perquimans counties. The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, Va., reported that the project remains on hold. The commission order Tuesday says the state requires the certificate be renewed within two years of the first time the project received approval. Pasquotank County Planning Director Shelley Cox say Atlantic Wind hasn't signed a contract with a power company to purchase electricity generated by the proposed 150 turbines.
“The project has approval with our board of commissioners that’s valid thru June of 2015. And it’s my understanding that they are currently work on trying to secure a buyer for the power they would generate for this project.”
The 300-megawatt wind farm is one of three similar projects proposed in northeastern North Carolina under a 2007 state law that mandates power companies offer 12.5 percent of their portfolio in renewable energy by 2021. The Legislature is considering bills that would reduce the renewable energy mandate.
Kelly Batchelor hails from the small crossroads community of Cabin in Duplin County in Eastern North Carolina. Since 1989 Kelly has been actively employed in radio.