BP Alternative Energy released an image of proposed sites for wind turbines and power lines for the Cape Vincent Wind Project;

BP Alternative Energy today released an image of proposed sites for wind turbines and power lines for the Cape Vincent Wind Project; however, the public may get a better view early next week when BP plans to post the image on its Web site, BP project manager James H. Madden said.

While the map is preliminary, he said, it represents a large move forward in the project process.

The proposed turbines, overlayed on a U.S. Geological Survey map with outdated road names, were spread around the town along red power lines. Their locations were bounded on the southeast by the Lyme town line, on the northwest by wetlands, and elsewhere by a proximity to Lake Ontario and other waterways.

Madden said the company plans to use an updated map as soon as possible.

Sites of 95 wind turbines are unveiled By ~ BP

FEW MINDS CHANGE: 100 people attend Cape Vincent meeting
By RACHAEL HANLEY
Watertown Daily Times
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2008

CAPE VINCENT — BP Alternative Energy revealed the setting of 95 turbines for the Cape Vincent Wind Farm on Wednesday with a room full of displays, two large maps and a speaker who heartily endorsed wind power.

The evening at Cape Vincent Recreation Park on South James Street drew more than 100 people and lasted just over three hours, with the majority of that time devoted to conversations between residents and BP representatives.

 Continue reading here Watertown Daily Times

Whiteman Osterman & Hanna~ Cape Vincent Conflict Opinion

This is the opinion rendered in July of 2008, by Whiteman Osterman & Hanna in
RE: Cape Vincents conflicted officials

WOH Conflict Opinion Cape Vincent

Lyme wind law based on subjective survey

FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2008

To the Editor

The Lyme Town Board recently passed a very restrictive wind zoning law. They claim their restrictions were based on the will of the people as shown by the wind survey. The person who formulated most of the questions and tallied the results has based his findings on very subjective questions and drawn his own conclusions about what the answers meant.

For example, the questions about setbacks from the waterfront or from hamlet and village had the following choices: 1,500 feet, 3,000 feet, 4,500 feet or "not near the water, hamlet or village." At last half the respondents checked "not near." Some people also checked one of the other choices. The individual who tallied these results concluded that all people who checked "not near" meant more than 4,500 feet.[Watertown Times]

STATEWIDE-Attorney General Andrew Cuomo launches Investigation into Wind Developments

July-18-2008

Cuomo investigating alleged 'dirty tricks' in local windmill projects

STATEWIDE—State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo launches an investigation aimed at two out of state companies developing wind farms in Lackawanna and across New York .[1]


"We've had a number of complaints from counties all over the state, from Franklin all the way over to Erie," said John Milgrim, spokesman for Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Franklin County District Attorney Derek Champagne was among "DAs from eight counties, public officials and citizens" who bombarded Albany with complaints about Noble and Massachusetts-based First Wind, formerly known as UPC Wind, he said. Subpoenas were served on both companies Tuesday, seeking an assortment of documents pertaining to agreements and easements obtained from property owners and public officials.[7] Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says the investigation was launched against First Wind, formerly UPC Wind, which developed the Steel Winds turbine, and Noble Environmental Power after complaints made by residents and public officials alike.[8] Back in May, wind-farm opponents pressed the state Attorney General's Office for an investigation into allegations of false claims, filing false instruments, bribery of public officials, larceny and fraud. Those accused by Cohocton Wind Watch of illegal actions are the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency, SCIDA Executive Director James Sherron, town and planning board members in several towns including Cohocton and Prattsburgh, and wind developers EcoGen and First Wind. Allegations by citizens' group include: the wind developers knowingly provided and submitted false statements and false instruments for permits and during environmental studies; the developers improperly influenced public officials through cash bribes, lucrative lease terms, bogus real estate transactions, purchase of personal property and contingent real estate purchase offers; developers seeking leases for wind turbine sites or easements for access roads and transmission lines have lied to convince landowners to sign away their rights.[9]

Overview of subpoenas issued

The subpoenas issued Tuesday were for all documents related to benefits conferred to an individual or entity in connection with wind farms; all agreements, easements or contracts regarding placement of wind turbines; agreements between wind companies that could indicate anti-competitive practices; and anything pertaining to payments or benefits received from local, state or federal agencies, according to Cuomo's office.[4] The subpoenas also seek all agreements on the placement of wind turbines, any non-compete clauses, and any payments to or benefits received from local, state or federal agencies.[3]


First Wind has three operational wind farms and 48 others in development across the country, according to its Web site. [9] Wind farm opponents were thrilled by the news that Cuomo's office is looking into the two developers. "We're ecstatic that is finally listening to what New York State taxpayers have been saying: that this is nothing but a total rip-off of the taxpayer," said Judy Hall, a member of Cohocton Wind Watch, which is fighting a First Wind wind farm in its community. Hall complained that communities aren't made aware of proposed wind farms until they're already approved and accused local leaders and developers of striking under-the-table deals to get the projects approved.[4] First Wind, which has several wind power generation projects in upstate, and Noble Environmental Power, which has projects in Western New York, are being looked at by Cuomo for possible anti-competitive practices.[2]

Noble Environmental Power has wind farm projects in Allegany, Chatauqua, and Wyoming Counties.[8] Chester, Connecticut-based Noble Environmental is operating three wind farms and five in development in Clinton, Franklin, Allegany, Chautauqua and Wyoming counties.[6]

First Wind has wind farms in development in Steuben, Chautauqua, Genesee and Wyoming counties in New York.[6] First Wind, according to Cuomo, have been developing wind farms in Erie County and has wind farms in development in Steuben, Chautauqua, Genesee and Wyoming counties.[3] First Wind has three operational wind farms and 48 others under development across the United States and in Steuben, Chautauqua, Genesee and Wyoming counties.[7] First Wind built the Steel Winds project along Lake Erie in the city of Lackawanna and has wind farms in development in Steuben, Chautauqua, Genesee and Wyoming (GenWY Wind) counties.[1]

the use of wind power, like all renewable energy sources, "The use of wind power, like all renewable energy sources, should be encouraged to help clean our air and end our reliance on fossil fuels," Cuomo said in a statement. "However, public integrity remains a top priority of my office and if dirty tricks are used to facilitate even clean-energy projects, my office will put a stop to it," he said.[4] In a written statement, Cuomo said the use of wind power is encouraged. He added that if dirty tricks are involved, his office will intervene. [5]



SOURCES

1. Wind farm deals under investigation - Business First of Buffalo:
2. Wind farm developers being investigated by state attorney general: Home: The Buffalo News
3. Cuomo investigates wind companies | PoughkeepsieJournal.com | Poughkeepsie Journal
4. Cuomo investigating alleged 'dirty tricks' in local windmill projects: City & Region: The Buffalo News
5. wbfo Newsroom

6. Wind-energy Companies Face Investigation
7. The Press Republican - Noble wind-energy firm under investigation
8. WBEN 930 : NYS Investigates Steel Winds Developer
9. Wind companies being investigated - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
draft

Voters For Wind ~ File Lawsuit ~ Against the Town Board Over a Recently Adopted Zoning Law.

filed: July 11, 2008

WWNY TV 7 Link not available they have removed the story

The future of wind power in the Jefferson County town of Lyme could ultimately be decided by a judge.

A group that supports wind farm development has filed a lawsuit against the town board over a recently adopted zoning law.

Ten members of Voters for Wind filed the legal challenge in State Supreme Court.

The group claims the town board adopted a zoning law concerning wind turbines that’s “too restrictive and does not adequately allow for the orderly development of wind energy facilities”.

The zoning requires wind turbines to be at least 4,500 feet away from the waterfront and the villages of Chaumont and Three Mile Bay.

Members of Voters for Wind say developers can’t work within those constraints.

“I feel they have their own agenda. They have been very anti wind from the beginning,” said Voters for Wind vice president Dawn Munk.

In the lawsuit, Voters for Wind says the board failed to recognize their protest petition.

The group says because a petition was presented, the town board needed to have a 75 percent majority vote to pass the zoning ordinance.

The board adopted the law by a 3 — 2 margin, a 60 percent majority.

Town Supervisor Scott Aubertine, a member of the town board, was one of the two people who voted against the ordinance.

“Once the state makes their ruling, I hope this would be the end of it once and for all and we’d go do what we have to do. If we have to start over again, well we’ll try to find something that perhaps pleases everyone,” said Aubertine.

Voters for Wind claims the board rejected the protest petition without legal basis.

The town said the group didn’t have the necessary signatures to be valid.

The lawsuit seeks to make the zoning law invalid.

The State Supreme Court’s decision is due July 31, the same day the town’s moratorium on wind power development will run out.

Read the news release from Voters for Wind

Parcel owners act against Lyme

By BRIAN KELLY

TIMES STAFF WRITER

THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2008

CHAUMONT — Ten town of Lyme property owners have brought an Article 78 proceeding against the Town Council, claiming it improperly rejected a petition protesting the adoption of a local law regulating the siting of wind turbines.

The owners group is asking a state Supreme Court judge to declare that its protest petition valid and that a local law adopted subsequent to the board's rejection of the petition be declared invalid, according to documents filed Monday at the Jefferson County clerk's office.[Watertown Times]

Measuring Background Noise During Nights With Stable Atmospheris Conditions_Internoise Schneider ~ 2009

In response to sound studies from commercial wind developers, a series of background noise surveys were conducted , in Cape Vincent, NY between May and July 2008. The survey approach included sampling at night under stable atmospheric conditions and systematically selecting monitoring stations at 1.6 km intervals.

Measuring Background Noise During Nights With Stable Atmospheric Conditions_InterNoise 2009 ~ Schneider