Court won't hear wind farm case

CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Supreme Court will let stand a state Public Service Commission decision to allow the construction of a 65-turbine wind farm in Barbour and Randolph counties.

According to The Associated Press, the court voted unanimously to dismiss an appeal from the Laurel Mountain Preservation Association, which opposes AES Laurel Mountain's plans to build the wind farm.

The energy produced at the $250 million facility will be disbursed to areas along the Mid-Atlantic.

Bradley Stephens, the association's lawyer, told the court during a motion conference Wednesday that the project wasn't needed and the electricity created would not benefit West Virginians.

Stephens also argued that the PSC did not fully consider the possible ramifications the wind farm would have on the quietude, scenery and wildlife of the area.

Leslie Anderson, a lawyer for the PSC, countered that the agency fully considered all the information presented.