By Kurt Steele

The next chapter in the long-running saga of BNE Energy’s efforts to build commercial wind turbines in Colebrook is being written.

BNE recently obtained just under $15 million of financing through an affiliate to construct two turbines on Flagg Hill Road, after a long-fought battle by local residents to stop construction there and on Rock Hall Road. Those two sites are not far from the Norfolk border.

According to filings at the Colebrook town clerk’s office, Webster Bank will provide the financing.

Tom McKeon, Colebrook’s first selectman, says, “I’ve been advised that construction on the two wind turbines will start this summer on Flagg Hill Road.”

Local residents in 2010 organized FairwindCT to stop BNE’s plan to build and operate turbines on those sites. Recently, the Connecticut Supreme Court cleared the way for construction and operation of wind turbines at both sites after considerable litigation instigated by FairwindCT.

The Rock Hall Road site, however, lacks necessary approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

FairwindCT’s president, Joyce Hemingson, says, “We are disappointed that Flagg Hill Road construction may proceed, because houses on that road will be less than 1,800 feet from the turbines. We are gratified that we helped pass specific state regulations covering future industrial wind turbines, which will provide some protection, although not enough.”

She adds, “Those regulations unfortunately will not apply retroactively to the Flagg Hill Road site. In particular, the wind turbines there will not have to meet the setback distance from property lines.”

Neither Paul Corey nor Gregory Zupkus, executives of BNE Energy, was available for comment.