Eileen Adams’ story (Feb. 22) about Record Hill Wind’s loan guarantee application omitted important background information.

Department of Environmental Protection rules require submission of evidence of financing “to construct and operate.” The DEP draft permit contained standard language requiring financing to be demonstrated prior to construction. Five days later, the final permit changed the word “construction” to “operation.”

When citizens questioned the changed word, DEP asked RHW to update its finances. In response, RHW referred to the changed condition, admitted financing was not arranged but would be before turbines operated.

When told the final permit contained a “drafting error,” RHW submitted a letter from a Chicago bank indicating the majority partner, landowner Bayroot, had sufficient funds on deposit, although those funds were not committed to the project and could be withdrawn at any time. Citizens appealed DEP’s acceptance of that letter. In a negotiated agreement, RHW agreed to stop construction and to provide additional evidence of financing prior to resuming.

Roxbury narrowly voted to allow wind turbines based on RHW’s promise to pay the full amount of its property taxes, rather than seek a tax subsidy, and a promise to pay for 500 kilowatts of free electricity every month to every household. RHW’s difficulties in obtaining financing for the project, as demonstrated by the application for a taxpayer-backed federal loan guarantee, suggests that Roxbury has given away the tranquil beauty of its town to Angus King and Rob Gardiner, a pair of smooth talkers who cannot “put their money where their mouth is.”

Steve Thurston, Roxbury