FINCASTLE, Va. (AP) - A Botetourt County judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by five county residents against what a developer hopes will be Virginia's first commercial wind farm.
The Roanoke Times reports Circuit Judge Paul Sheridan dismissed a lawsuit that, at the least, had threatened to slow down plans to build up to 25 giant turbines on top of North Mountain. Officials hope to have the turbines begin converting wind to electricity by the end of 2017.
Sheridan ruled that the lawsuit's allegations of public dangers posed by turbines were based on speculation, since the county has yet to decide on the developer's request for a special exception permit regarding the turbines' regulation.
Apex Clean Energy of Charlottesville says the project would provide enough clean energy to power up to 20,000 homes.
