Missed deadline creates problems for Rocky Forge Wind Farm in Botetourt County

BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) – Apex Clean Energy is saying that a missed deadline that was needed for approval of the Rocky Forge Wind Farm in Botetourt County should be excused.

Apex admits to missing the deadline but says it should be eligible for a statewide extension – enacted into law by the General Assembly this year, due to the pandemic.

The company says the Botetourt County Zoning Administrator sent them a letter on July 7 indicating that the county does not intend to grant that extension.

“We are disappointed that the county has made this determination when Rocky Forge Wind so clearly represents the kind of project the General Assembly intended to address with its COVID-19 zoning extension legalization. Rocky Forge Wind has been in development for years, and throughout that time, we have worked diligently with the Supervisors and the community to bring this project to fruition.”

Karlis Povisils, Senior Vice President of Development at Apex Clean Energy

Last week, a request for reconsideration was submitted to the Botetourt County Zoning Administrator on behalf of Rocky Forge Wind. They say the request highlights language from the county’s Determination Letter that conflicts with state law.

The wind project is an approximately 75 MW project in Botetourt County which is on schedule to be the first onshore wind farm in Virginia and is expected to generate enough energy to power up to 20,000 homes per year.