The owner of the Rugby Wind farm will be paying a $24,000 fine for failing to install light mitigating technology by a deadline spelled out in state law.
That deadline was December 31st, 2021.
The common light mitigating system is called “ADLS” – for “Aircraft Detection Lighting System.” Rugby Wind asked for a waiver in meeting the state deadline, as it was looking at another system called “LIDS,” for “Light Intensity Dimming System.” Public Service Commission chairman Julie Fedorchak said the PSC held an informal hearing on that.
"We did some additional research with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)," Fedorchak said. "And we found out the FAA was not very close to approving that technology."
Fedorchak said Rugby Wind started to pursue the ADLS system – but asked for another delay. The company — Avangrid Renewables – said it was experiencing supply chain issues. However, that request was denied on December 29th.
The lighting system was installed and operational by the end of March.
Fedorchak said the original fine was supposed to be $48,000. But she said a settlement agreement was reached between Avangrid and PSC advocacy staff.
"They basically cut the fine in half, recognizing there were supply chain issues, as well as other outside forces that contributed to the delay," Fedorchak said.
Rugby Wind has 71 turbines, and a nameplate capacity of 149 megawatts.
