West Virginia approves Laurel Mountain wind project

LAUREL MOUNTAIN, WEST VIRGINIA - West Virginia has approved a proposed $250 million wind farm along the Laurel Mountain ridgeline.

The state Public Service Commission says AES Laurel Mountain has to establish a decommissioning fund, obtain additional permits and satisfy other conditions contained in the order approving construction.

Arlington, Va.-based AES Laurel Mountain plans to build up to 65 wind turbines along 8 miles of the ridgeline in Barbour and Randolph counties.

The windmill project would produce between 1,500 and 2,500 kilowatts of power, enough to provide electricity to up to 35,000 homes.

The company is owned by AES Corp., which provides power to 100 million people from operations in 29 countries.