BP says Court ruling comes too late~ zoning law too restrictive

WWNY TV 7
filed: August 26, 2008

A court victory for wind farm advocates in the town of Lyme has apparently come too late to save a proposed wind farm project.

British Petroleum Alternative Energy, which had hoped to build turbines in the town, halted plans after council members passed a zoning law that BP found to be too restrictive.

The advocacy group Voters for Wind sued the town and won.

While the case was being decided in state supreme court, BP went ahead with its plans to build 95 turbines in the town of Cape Vincent.

“We do need to move forward and so we are moving forward with our plans in the town of Cape Vincent. I think it would be tough for them (Lyme officials) to come up with something that we could work with within the time line of our current project. But, for some future project, it’s certainly possible,” said Jim Madden of BP.

If BP or another wind farm developer approaches the town in the future, officials will need to address the zoning issues.

The zoning law originally passed with a three to two vote.

According to the judge’s ruling, if town officials want to pass the zoning law again, they will legally need one more vote for a majority of four to one.

The town could also appeal the ruling or go back to the drawing board.

“I think we need to be fair. We need to do what’s best for everyone in the town, so I’m hoping that we can find a fair and happy medium,” said Town Supervisor Scott Aubertine.

The town board is expected to discuss the issue at its next meeting September 10.

WWNY TV 7

25 August 2008