MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) – Lawmakers debated the “heart and soul of Vermont” Friday as they used a state construction budget to argue whether the state’s ridgelines and mountaintops should be opened to commercial windmills.

They voted 93-40 against a proposed 15-month moratorium on building wind turbines, but that is certain to be far from the final word on the subject. A Natural Resources Agency decision is expected by midyear about whether windmills can be built on state lands, and the House already has agreed to a study about the issues surrounding building wind generators that could be 200 feet or taller at elevations of 2,500 feet or more.

Although the issue came up in an unusual forum – as part of the state’s annual budget of building projects – it represented the first time the state’s elected leaders have had an opportunity to consider an issue that has rocketed to the top of the public agenda.

Rep. Michael Obuchowski, D-Bellows Falls, said deciding whether to develop the ridgelines was a matter of great public import akin to the decision made in 1935 about whether a highway should be built across the upper elevations of the Green Mountains.

“Regrettably we’re treating this use of ridgelines decision as a common, everyday decision,” Obuchowski said. “”It is not. It tests our values. … Vermont’s unspoiled ridgelines are Vermont’s heart and soul.”

The ensuing debate suggested that many of his colleagues agreed. The discussion was spirited and heartfelt, not just about the future of the state’s natural environment, but also about its energy supply.

Many people are reluctant to see windmills – topped by lights so they can be seen by aircraft – built in the mountains. They say the towers would ruin the pristine environments and the views of the mountains. Others say the spinning blades could jeopardize birds.

“It is our responsibility as representatives of the people of the state of Vermont to know where we are going before we get there,” said Rep. Richard Hube, R-Londonderry.

A great deal of the opposition to industrial wind farms is in regions of the state where the generators are proposed for construction. A project of 27 turbines on a 2 1/2-mile ridgeline is proposed for Hube’s district. Many legislators from the Northeast Kingdom also spoke out against the windmills – and in favor of the moratorium – because there’s a plan for generators atop East Mountain in East Haven.

But several people, including those who live in areas where the wind farms would be built, said windmills represent a good alternative to power plants that burn fossil fuels to generate electricity. “Wind turbines are alternative, clean, renewable power sources,” said Rep. William Aswad, D-Burlington.

There is a special process used by the Public Service Board to consider proposed electric generation projects such as wind farms. It looks at the same criteria as the Act 250 development review law. Opponents of the moratorium said that review was the forum for deciding windmill proposals.

They accused people advocating the moratorium of simply trying to derail development of wind energy. They said wind was a good emerging technology that should be encouraged. Windmills might mar views of the mountains, but they also might wean Vermont and other regions of the country off of fossil fuel.

“We’re worried about mountains and lakes and viewsheds,” said Rep. Mark Young, R-Orwell. “I bet we’re also worried about acid rain we’re receiving from the Midwest on the wind.”

AP-ES-03-26-04 1608EST