Vt. Senate debates bill to slow wind development

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) -- The Vermont Senate is debating a bill that could subject wind power development in Vermont to tougher review by having the Public Service Board change the way it considers power projects for a one-year period.

The bill calls on the board to give more weight to local and regional plans versus what it has traditionally considered the public good of power generation.

But the change in review standard would last only until July 1, 2014.

And some lawmakers question whether the bill would have much effect, since it's unclear that any new applications for projects will be submitted to the board over the next year.