Virginia Department of Mines,Minerals, and Energy

The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors is pleased to offer its support for onshore wind energy for consideration in the 2018 Virginia Energy Plan.

Our board unanimously approved the first potential wind farm in the Commonwealth because it will provide our community with an economic development opportunity through tax base, local employment, an influx of purchasing of goods and services, and bringing clean energy that could help attract future business to our area.

Onshore wind energy is a unique opportunity in the Commonwealth for many reasons. Besides the production of clean energy, they provide a steady, long-term revenue to host counties’ budget through property taxes. Southwest Virginia is in a position to benefit from the economic development that comes with onshore wind projects, just as the Virginia coast could benefit from offshore wind projects.

Unlike other renewable energy sources, onshore wind does not receive a local property tax exemption here in the Commonwealth, thus providing a large contribution to the county over the project’s life cycle. This influx of money can help funding for our schools, emergency services, and other government expenditures.

It is for these reasons that Botetourt County Board of Supervisors supports the inclusion of onshore wind into the 2018 Virginia Energy Plan and hopes that support for this resource can help bring these projects to fruition and provide clean energy and new economic development opportunities to our region.

Sincerely,

Gary Larrowe

County Administrator

Botetourt County, Virginia