mentions a public hearing for the proposed local law, which would amend the town's zoning laws to include provisions about wind power, for 10 a.m. June 3, 2003 at the fire hall.
| BACK TO ARCHIVE SEARCH
Published: May 14, 2006
Page: A1
Edition: Both
Section: Jefferson
Copyright, 2006, Johnson Newspaper Corporation
CAPE VINCENT WIND PROJECT QUESTIONED
CAPE VINCENT WIND PROJECT QUESTIONED
By JUDE SEYMOUR
TIMES STAFF WRITER
CAPE VINCENT -- A wind power developer established temporary lodgings at the fire hall here Saturday to assuage concerns about its proposed 65-turbine project. But AES/Acciona Wind Power NY Project Manager Todd R. Hopper said residents' most consistent query was about potential setbacks, an aspect not controlled by developers.
On Thursday, the Town Council proposed a project boundary that would begin 1,000 feet from the established river district boundary. If approved, the first wind turbine would be no closer than 2,600 feet from the river side of Route 12E. They set a public hearing for the proposed local law, which would amend the town's zoning laws to include provisions about wind power, for 10 a.m. June 3 at the fire hall.
The Rochester-based developers have looked to secure lease agreements from property owners in their intended project area, generally defined as Route 12E on the north, Route 9 on the east, Constance Road on the west and Favret, Mason and McKeever roads on the south.
While the wind velocities in that area - which top out at about 6.96 meters per second - are not optimum, Mr. Hopper said speeds are aggressive enough to have a viable project. The company is hampered more by the transmission line's 130 megawatt capacity. Mr. Hopper said upgrading the power lines would be cost-prohibitive, so AES/Acciona will be content with maximizing the output.
The project manager stressed that the company is still more than two years away from siting its first turbine. The company needs eight to 36 months to prepare a draft environmental impact statement, a voluminous document that will include studies on visual and sound impacts; shadow flicker; effects on bird, bat and other wildlife population, and the effect on the Federal Aviation Administration.
This process, which will be subject to public review and comment, also will include a transportation study, which will assess the feasibility of upgrading existing infrastructure to transport each $1 million turbine.
Assemblyman Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, said in a mid-April interview that he'd like to see the companies use the existing coal docks, which are adjacent to Broadway Street.
"What we have the opportunity to do is use the port of Cape Vincent rather than the port of Oswego," Mr. Aubertine said, referencing the starting point for turbines involved in the Maple Ridge Wind Farm project. "Certainly enhancements would need to be made to the existing coal dock area to offload ships at the breakwall. But those improvements that will be made are improvements that will be there long after the ships have offloaded the windmills."
Mr. Hopper said using local dockage is possible, but only if it's economically sound. He said AES/Acciona will create a plan for repair and restoring any infrastructure affected by turbine traffic. It may include upgrades before turbines hit the roads.
The project manager said the company plans more public information sessions. For now, Mr. Hopper encouraged residents to attend the upcoming hearing.
"They need to show up at the public hearing and give their opinion so the town can make a decision that makes the majority happy," he said.
Additionally~
This is the letter from Darrel Aubertine to the Cape Vincent Town Board instructing them to vote on wind issues, even though they have conflicts of interests . In this letter Darrel Aubertine mentions a that he regrets that he was unable to attend the public hearing of June 3rd 2006 the Watertown Times article in this post, addresses this public hearing as well as other issues.
No comments:
Post a Comment