Ms. Mason,
This letter is to inform officials and residents of the town that BP Wind Energy joined 14 other wind companies and Attorney General Cuomo this week in signing the enclosed code of conduct agreement for wind energy development in New York that the wind industry is avoiding conflicts of interests related to town and county officials. The State of New York is committed to the continued development to clean, wind energy and BP Wind Energy is committed to upholding the highest standards of development as outlined in this agreement.
If there are any questions about this, please feel free to contact me at (434) 220-9428
Sincerely
James H. Madden
Business Developer
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Developers sign on to state wind ethics code
By Nancy Madsen Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
Publication: Watertown Daily Times (New York)
Date: Thursday, July 30 2009
Jul. 30--All of the local wind developers signed on to the state attorney general's Wind Industry Ethics Code on Wednesday.
The developers of four local projects were among 15 companies that signed on.
"New York must be equally committed to clean energy and clean government," Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo said. "Wind power has enormous environmental and economic potential for New York and it is critical that this industry continues to grow without the suspicion or shadow of public corruption or anything else outside the law."
The code was introduced Oct. 31, when two developers, Noble Environmental Power LLC, Essex, Conn., and First Wind, Newton, Mass., signed the pact after an investigation by the attorney general's office into allegations that they were bribing local officials to push through wind projects.
"The code is prospective," Mr. Cuomo said during a press conference in Albany. "It defines the rules going forward. Investigations with past actions continue."
The voluntary code calls on developers to disclose financial relationships with town officials or their relatives, release written property agreements and establish ethics training for employees. Under the code, developers are not allowed to hire local officials, give gifts worth more than $10 in one year or pay for an official's or municipality's legal fees related to a law enforcement investigation.
Violation of the code could lead to civil penalties of $50,000 for the first violation and $100,000 for subsequent violations.
All of the local developers signed on, including:
--Acciona Wind Energy USA LLC, developer of St. Lawrence Wind Farm in Cape Vincent.
--BP Wind Energy North America Inc., developer of Cape Vincent Wind Farm.
--Iberdrola Renewables Inc., part-owner of Maple Ridge Wind Farm and developer of Horse Creek Wind Farm in Clayton and Stone Church Wind Farm in Hammond.
--Horizon Wind Energy, part-owner of Maple Ridge Wind Farm.
--Galloo Island Wind Farm developers Pattern Energy Group Holdings and Upstate NY Power Corp.
"We feel this is a positive step for the industry," said BP project manager James H. Madden. "We have some work ahead of us for documenting what is required, but we think this is going to help our project move forward."
The other local developers also praised the code and expressed readiness to comply with public notification.
"We applaud the state of New York's support of the renewable energy industry and today's announcement of formal efforts to ensure transparency and accountability across the board," Acciona project manager Peter E. Zedick said in an e-mail.
Beth O'Brien, spokeswoman for Pattern Energy, said, "Hopefully, it will give some comfort to local communities and help New York reach its renewable energy goals."
Other signatories included Ecogen Wind LLC, E.on Climate and Renewables North America Inc., Everpower Wind Holdings Inc., Invenergy Wind Development LLC, Northwind & Power LLC, Penn Energy Trust LLC, Sustainable Energy Trust Inc., and Shell WindEnergyInc. Later Wednesday, after facing a subpoena from the attorney general's office, Reunion Power also signed.
The Alliance for Clean Energy New York, a renewable energy proponent, worked on behalf of its member wind developers in the discussions on the code with the attorney general's office. It said the developers and their subsidiaries comprise more than 90 percent of constructed and proposed wind power projects.
Executive Director Carol E. Murphy said in a press release, "This set of guidelines incorporates best industry practices and sets a new standard of transparency and public integrity that goes far beyond existing state law and what other industries must comply with."
The code signed Wednesday had slight changes from the first version. The word "knowingly" was added to sections telling developers not to give gifts, honorariums or compensation to municipal officers or their relatives.
Financial interests in the development by municipal officers or family members must be disclosed before a first application is made to a town, either for a wind measurement tower or a project.
And developers are given 60 days to hold a seminar on conflicts of interest with employees. The members of the attorney general's wind energy task force are clearly defined, including representatives of the wind industry.
"We've been working closely with other responsible wind developers," said Paul N. Copleman, communications manager for Iberdrola. "It is fair to the wind industry and to the communities."
To see more of the Watertown Daily Times, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com . Copyright (c) 2009, Watertown Daily Times, N.Y. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com , call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Publication: Watertown Daily Times (New York)
Date: Thursday, July 30 2009
Jul. 30--All of the local wind developers signed on to the state attorney general's Wind Industry Ethics Code on Wednesday.
The developers of four local projects were among 15 companies that signed on.
"New York must be equally committed to clean energy and clean government," Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo said. "Wind power has enormous environmental and economic potential for New York and it is critical that this industry continues to grow without the suspicion or shadow of public corruption or anything else outside the law."
The code was introduced Oct. 31, when two developers, Noble Environmental Power LLC, Essex, Conn., and First Wind, Newton, Mass., signed the pact after an investigation by the attorney general's office into allegations that they were bribing local officials to push through wind projects.
"The code is prospective," Mr. Cuomo said during a press conference in Albany. "It defines the rules going forward. Investigations with past actions continue."
The voluntary code calls on developers to disclose financial relationships with town officials or their relatives, release written property agreements and establish ethics training for employees. Under the code, developers are not allowed to hire local officials, give gifts worth more than $10 in one year or pay for an official's or municipality's legal fees related to a law enforcement investigation.
Violation of the code could lead to civil penalties of $50,000 for the first violation and $100,000 for subsequent violations.
All of the local developers signed on, including:
--Acciona Wind Energy USA LLC, developer of St. Lawrence Wind Farm in Cape Vincent.
--BP Wind Energy North America Inc., developer of Cape Vincent Wind Farm.
--Iberdrola Renewables Inc., part-owner of Maple Ridge Wind Farm and developer of Horse Creek Wind Farm in Clayton and Stone Church Wind Farm in Hammond.
--Horizon Wind Energy, part-owner of Maple Ridge Wind Farm.
--Galloo Island Wind Farm developers Pattern Energy Group Holdings and Upstate NY Power Corp.
"We feel this is a positive step for the industry," said BP project manager James H. Madden. "We have some work ahead of us for documenting what is required, but we think this is going to help our project move forward."
The other local developers also praised the code and expressed readiness to comply with public notification.
"We applaud the state of New York's support of the renewable energy industry and today's announcement of formal efforts to ensure transparency and accountability across the board," Acciona project manager Peter E. Zedick said in an e-mail.
Beth O'Brien, spokeswoman for Pattern Energy, said, "Hopefully, it will give some comfort to local communities and help New York reach its renewable energy goals."
Other signatories included Ecogen Wind LLC, E.on Climate and Renewables North America Inc., Everpower Wind Holdings Inc., Invenergy Wind Development LLC, Northwind & Power LLC, Penn Energy Trust LLC, Sustainable Energy Trust Inc., and Shell WindEnergyInc. Later Wednesday, after facing a subpoena from the attorney general's office, Reunion Power also signed.
The Alliance for Clean Energy New York, a renewable energy proponent, worked on behalf of its member wind developers in the discussions on the code with the attorney general's office. It said the developers and their subsidiaries comprise more than 90 percent of constructed and proposed wind power projects.
Executive Director Carol E. Murphy said in a press release, "This set of guidelines incorporates best industry practices and sets a new standard of transparency and public integrity that goes far beyond existing state law and what other industries must comply with."
The code signed Wednesday had slight changes from the first version. The word "knowingly" was added to sections telling developers not to give gifts, honorariums or compensation to municipal officers or their relatives.
Financial interests in the development by municipal officers or family members must be disclosed before a first application is made to a town, either for a wind measurement tower or a project.
And developers are given 60 days to hold a seminar on conflicts of interest with employees. The members of the attorney general's wind energy task force are clearly defined, including representatives of the wind industry.
"We've been working closely with other responsible wind developers," said Paul N. Copleman, communications manager for Iberdrola. "It is fair to the wind industry and to the communities."
To see more of the Watertown Daily Times, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com . Copyright (c) 2009, Watertown Daily Times, N.Y. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com , call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Cape wind ban gets support
Cape wind ban gets support
COUNTY APPROVAL: Partial moratorium proposed by town doesn't win board's OK
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2009
A wind-power moratorium on just a portion of a town doesn't make sense.
That's according to the Jefferson County Planning Board, which considered Cape Vincent's proposed six-month moratorium for wind power development in the lakefront and river front districts at its meeting Tuesday afternoon. The members of the board approved a townwide moratorium, which was not presented to them, rather than the town's proposed partial moratorium.
The county board, however, did not directly reject the town's proposal.
"They should look at all areas," said member Jon W. Storms.
When the Town Council introduced the moratorium idea July 9, it said it would protect the two districts which were never intended for wind power development.
"Currently, we have two projects under review in the ag district and we're not going to suspend those," Supervisor Tho-mas K. Rienbeck said at the time. "One is almost complete."
The riverfront district runs north of Route 12E, east of the village and to County Route 6 west of the village.
The lakefront district lies west of County Route 6, north of Mud Creek.
Those districts contain none of the proposed turbines in either the St. Lawrence Wind Farm or Cape Vincent Wind Farm projects.
"The Town Council acknowledges that the current zoning law is not equipped to review wind generating facilities," said Michael J. Bourcy, the county community development coordinator.
Mr. Bourcy was part of the town's most recent review of a zoning law, which was completed in January.
"The last draft we had wouldn't allow these uses in the (riverfront) or (lake front) districts," he said.
Until a law is adopted, all meteorological towers, personal windmills and commercial wind turbines are considered utilities, based on a decision from the town's Zoning Board of Appeals and may be placed anywhere in the town following a site plan review.
As part of the county Planning Board's comments, members reminded the town the state Department of State has said municipalities must make a valid argument for enacting any moratorium. Planning Board member Clifford J. Schneider, who is also a Cape Vincent resident, said, "Understanding that this is the biggest development in our county, I am dumbfounded to understand why they do not have a zoning amendment for it."
If the Planning Board had rejected the two-district moratorium, it would have forced the Town Council to approve it by at least a 4-1 vote.
Tuesday's approval of a moratorium with different boundaries acts only as a recommendation to the town.
The County Planning Board also approved a zoning amendment for the town of Watertown which combines the light industrial and business districts from the area bordering outer Coffeen Street south to the parcels surrounding outer Arsenal Street.
The new district is called "neighborhood commercial" and includes all of the light manufacturing and business uses previously allowed.
It also includes regulations on single-family and multi-family residences with minimum footprints and does not allow mobile homes.
The board encouraged the town to consider applying the new district in other business districts.
The board commented on and approved proposed regulations for Grindstone Island in the town of Clayton.
While the town told the board the regulations are meant to encourage a rural, low-density feel on the island, the board questioned whether uses including flea markets, self-storage, quarries and educational institutions meet that goal.
COUNTY APPROVAL: Partial moratorium proposed by town doesn't win board's OK
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2009
A wind-power moratorium on just a portion of a town doesn't make sense.
That's according to the Jefferson County Planning Board, which considered Cape Vincent's proposed six-month moratorium for wind power development in the lakefront and river front districts at its meeting Tuesday afternoon. The members of the board approved a townwide moratorium, which was not presented to them, rather than the town's proposed partial moratorium.
The county board, however, did not directly reject the town's proposal.
"They should look at all areas," said member Jon W. Storms.
When the Town Council introduced the moratorium idea July 9, it said it would protect the two districts which were never intended for wind power development.
"Currently, we have two projects under review in the ag district and we're not going to suspend those," Supervisor Tho-mas K. Rienbeck said at the time. "One is almost complete."
The riverfront district runs north of Route 12E, east of the village and to County Route 6 west of the village.
The lakefront district lies west of County Route 6, north of Mud Creek.
Those districts contain none of the proposed turbines in either the St. Lawrence Wind Farm or Cape Vincent Wind Farm projects.
"The Town Council acknowledges that the current zoning law is not equipped to review wind generating facilities," said Michael J. Bourcy, the county community development coordinator.
Mr. Bourcy was part of the town's most recent review of a zoning law, which was completed in January.
"The last draft we had wouldn't allow these uses in the (riverfront) or (lake front) districts," he said.
Until a law is adopted, all meteorological towers, personal windmills and commercial wind turbines are considered utilities, based on a decision from the town's Zoning Board of Appeals and may be placed anywhere in the town following a site plan review.
As part of the county Planning Board's comments, members reminded the town the state Department of State has said municipalities must make a valid argument for enacting any moratorium. Planning Board member Clifford J. Schneider, who is also a Cape Vincent resident, said, "Understanding that this is the biggest development in our county, I am dumbfounded to understand why they do not have a zoning amendment for it."
If the Planning Board had rejected the two-district moratorium, it would have forced the Town Council to approve it by at least a 4-1 vote.
Tuesday's approval of a moratorium with different boundaries acts only as a recommendation to the town.
The County Planning Board also approved a zoning amendment for the town of Watertown which combines the light industrial and business districts from the area bordering outer Coffeen Street south to the parcels surrounding outer Arsenal Street.
The new district is called "neighborhood commercial" and includes all of the light manufacturing and business uses previously allowed.
It also includes regulations on single-family and multi-family residences with minimum footprints and does not allow mobile homes.
The board encouraged the town to consider applying the new district in other business districts.
The board commented on and approved proposed regulations for Grindstone Island in the town of Clayton.
While the town told the board the regulations are meant to encourage a rural, low-density feel on the island, the board questioned whether uses including flea markets, self-storage, quarries and educational institutions meet that goal.
Wind turbines proposed for lake
Watertown Daily Times | Wind turbines proposed for lake
CANADIAN WATERS: Shoals of Main Duck Island could house 142 turbines; site 22 miles from Cape Vincent
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2009
The shoals off Main Duck Island, on the Canadian side of Lake Ontario, may host an offshore wind power project.
Trillium Wind Power Corp., Toronto, is proposing a 142-turbine project in the shoals southwest of the island to produce up to 710 megawatts of power.
"We purposefully went out on the water and chose this unique site because of its attributes," said John Kourtoff, CEO of Trillium Wind.
The project, Trillium Power Wind 1, would send its electricity over a 28-kilometer, or 16.8-mile, underwater and underground transmission line to Lennox Generating Station, Bath.
Main Duck Island was bought by the Canadian government in 1978, Mr. Kourtoff said. It had been in private hands, including those of former U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, who bought it in 1941, according to Times archives. Mr. Dulles had a cabin there, about 22 miles from Cape Vincent.
The shoals are a popular fishing spot. Fishing and sailboats would still be allowed in the area. And fish populations could increase as a result of the project.
Research by Ontario's government has indicated turbine foundations would create a "reef effect," giving young fry shelter from storms that roll across the lake. That would regenerate their populations by up to eight times the natural rate. Commercial fishing once thrived on American eel and lake trout in the area, but commercial fishing is no longer legal there.
"The island is the northeastern point of essentially an underwater mesa," Mr. Kourtoff said.
He said there is not much sediment southwest of the island. The site considered for the wind project would begin about three-tenths of a mile south of the island. There, the water is about 6 feet deep, and at the farthest reaches of the site, the water is about 130 feet, deep.
Mr. Kourtoff said the developer did an unprecedented number of bird studies but found few birds.
"Birds don't nest 20 kilometers out on the lake," he said. "Most feed near the shorelines."
Trillium Wind leadership has worked on renewable energy development since the 1980s. The company conducted the original wind measurements on Wolfe Island.
"We've been at renewable power long before it became popular," Mr. Kourtoff said.
This project is still a few years away.
Mr. Kourtoff said it might switch to 6-megawatt turbines instead of the 5-megawatt turbines currently planned.
That would cut down on the number of turbines, decreasing the installation and maintenance costs.
No matter which is used, Mr. Kourtoff said, the turbines will be about 330 feet high.
He said the winds needed to power turbines are at lower elevations over water than over land and vegetation.
To install the turbines, Trillium Power would use "eco-designed" barges. Mr. Kourtoff said the two barges, one for installing the turbines and one for creating the foundations, will not bilge and will have greaseless legs to jack themselves out of the water. The barges each carry up to 30 people and are the size of a football field.
"It's kind of bizarre to use old technology while you're putting up a green project," he said.
CANADIAN WATERS: Shoals of Main Duck Island could house 142 turbines; site 22 miles from Cape Vincent
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2009
The shoals off Main Duck Island, on the Canadian side of Lake Ontario, may host an offshore wind power project.
Trillium Wind Power Corp., Toronto, is proposing a 142-turbine project in the shoals southwest of the island to produce up to 710 megawatts of power.
"We purposefully went out on the water and chose this unique site because of its attributes," said John Kourtoff, CEO of Trillium Wind.
The project, Trillium Power Wind 1, would send its electricity over a 28-kilometer, or 16.8-mile, underwater and underground transmission line to Lennox Generating Station, Bath.
Main Duck Island was bought by the Canadian government in 1978, Mr. Kourtoff said. It had been in private hands, including those of former U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, who bought it in 1941, according to Times archives. Mr. Dulles had a cabin there, about 22 miles from Cape Vincent.
The shoals are a popular fishing spot. Fishing and sailboats would still be allowed in the area. And fish populations could increase as a result of the project.
Research by Ontario's government has indicated turbine foundations would create a "reef effect," giving young fry shelter from storms that roll across the lake. That would regenerate their populations by up to eight times the natural rate. Commercial fishing once thrived on American eel and lake trout in the area, but commercial fishing is no longer legal there.
"The island is the northeastern point of essentially an underwater mesa," Mr. Kourtoff said.
He said there is not much sediment southwest of the island. The site considered for the wind project would begin about three-tenths of a mile south of the island. There, the water is about 6 feet deep, and at the farthest reaches of the site, the water is about 130 feet, deep.
Mr. Kourtoff said the developer did an unprecedented number of bird studies but found few birds.
"Birds don't nest 20 kilometers out on the lake," he said. "Most feed near the shorelines."
Trillium Wind leadership has worked on renewable energy development since the 1980s. The company conducted the original wind measurements on Wolfe Island.
"We've been at renewable power long before it became popular," Mr. Kourtoff said.
This project is still a few years away.
Mr. Kourtoff said it might switch to 6-megawatt turbines instead of the 5-megawatt turbines currently planned.
That would cut down on the number of turbines, decreasing the installation and maintenance costs.
No matter which is used, Mr. Kourtoff said, the turbines will be about 330 feet high.
He said the winds needed to power turbines are at lower elevations over water than over land and vegetation.
To install the turbines, Trillium Power would use "eco-designed" barges. Mr. Kourtoff said the two barges, one for installing the turbines and one for creating the foundations, will not bilge and will have greaseless legs to jack themselves out of the water. The barges each carry up to 30 people and are the size of a football field.
"It's kind of bizarre to use old technology while you're putting up a green project," he said.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Moratorium on wind development a good idea for Cape Vincent~ Letter
Watertown Daily Times | Moratorium on wind development a good idea for Cape Vincent
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2009
Petitions are being circulated in the town of Cape Vincent calling for a one-year town-wide moratorium on any wind farm development. The petition is calling on the Cape Vincent town officials to enact such a moratorium to thoroughly examine wind farm zoning regulations appropriate for the health, safety and welfare of all the residents of the community as well as the aesthetic impacts to the town and 1000 Islands region.
A one-year town-wide moratorium seems to be a reasonable request and a warranted action given the fact the town has no zoning laws in place to protect its citizens. The town is currently proposing a one-year partial wind-farm development moratorium in the lake and river districts where no known wind developments are proposed. It would seem more logical that any moratorium would first apply to those parts of the town where wind farms are currently being proposed.
The town completed a draft wind law earlier this year, at considerable expense to the taxpayers. How can the town on the one hand consider a partial moratorium to enact a wind law, while on the other hand fail to disclose their completed draft wind law? A town-wide moratorium as well as the release of their newest draft wind law is needed.
Wind farm development in any part of the town without zoning and/or a wind law in place would be an unfairness and injustice to all the citizens of the town and certainly contrary to the interest of good government. A one-year town-wide wind farm development moratorium would provide time for the deliberation and enactment of responsible zoning.
Thomas E. Brown
Cape Vincent
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2009
Petitions are being circulated in the town of Cape Vincent calling for a one-year town-wide moratorium on any wind farm development. The petition is calling on the Cape Vincent town officials to enact such a moratorium to thoroughly examine wind farm zoning regulations appropriate for the health, safety and welfare of all the residents of the community as well as the aesthetic impacts to the town and 1000 Islands region.
A one-year town-wide moratorium seems to be a reasonable request and a warranted action given the fact the town has no zoning laws in place to protect its citizens. The town is currently proposing a one-year partial wind-farm development moratorium in the lake and river districts where no known wind developments are proposed. It would seem more logical that any moratorium would first apply to those parts of the town where wind farms are currently being proposed.
The town completed a draft wind law earlier this year, at considerable expense to the taxpayers. How can the town on the one hand consider a partial moratorium to enact a wind law, while on the other hand fail to disclose their completed draft wind law? A town-wide moratorium as well as the release of their newest draft wind law is needed.
Wind farm development in any part of the town without zoning and/or a wind law in place would be an unfairness and injustice to all the citizens of the town and certainly contrary to the interest of good government. A one-year town-wide wind farm development moratorium would provide time for the deliberation and enactment of responsible zoning.
Thomas E. Brown
Cape Vincent
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Wind PILOTs Watertown Daily Times Editorial
Watertown Daily Times | Wind PILOTs
Too much given away to developers
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2009
A payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement being developed by the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency will give away tens of millions of dollars in taxes with minimal return for the price being paid by county taxpayers.
A uniform policy plan being prepared by the agency will collect $2.5 million from developers of the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm in its first year of operation. That represents about 15 percent to 20 percent of what would be collected if the project paid full taxes.
In the first year alone, the county, school districts and other municipalities will lose out on almost $10 million that could be used to reduce property taxes, build roads or hire new teachers.
Future payments may be adjusted based on energy prices but projected out over a 15-year pilot the developer will reap a windfall worth millions of dollars.
And what will Jefferson County residents get in return?
Will we get jobs? Maybe a handful.
Will we get lower-cost electricity? No.
Will we get a better environment? No.
What other manufacturer or business receives an 85 percent tax break for something that does not yield a significant number of new jobs?
The JCIDA needs to slow down and re-evaluate this ill-conceived plan. The JCIDA is responsible to ensure a greater economic benefit to county residents. Projects without meaningful numbers of jobs should not benefit from lower property taxes.
And JCIDA must require additional conditions on wind turbine developers.
To benefit from any JCIDA program the developers must be required to sign Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo's code of ethics. The process of permitting wind developments has been fraught with conflicts of interests. Some local government officials deciding zoning and safety codes are the same people who have signed agreements with developers to site turbines on their personal property.
Additionally the developers must provide adequate upfront funds under control of local municipalities to remove the turbines once their useful life expires or the operators go out of business.
The JCIDA has undertaken an enormous task which will affect generations of Jefferson County residents, and they are doing it without public discussion and debate. The time has come for a serious discussion of the value of property tax breaks.
Too much given away to developers
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2009
A payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement being developed by the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency will give away tens of millions of dollars in taxes with minimal return for the price being paid by county taxpayers.
A uniform policy plan being prepared by the agency will collect $2.5 million from developers of the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm in its first year of operation. That represents about 15 percent to 20 percent of what would be collected if the project paid full taxes.
In the first year alone, the county, school districts and other municipalities will lose out on almost $10 million that could be used to reduce property taxes, build roads or hire new teachers.
Future payments may be adjusted based on energy prices but projected out over a 15-year pilot the developer will reap a windfall worth millions of dollars.
And what will Jefferson County residents get in return?
Will we get jobs? Maybe a handful.
Will we get lower-cost electricity? No.
Will we get a better environment? No.
What other manufacturer or business receives an 85 percent tax break for something that does not yield a significant number of new jobs?
The JCIDA needs to slow down and re-evaluate this ill-conceived plan. The JCIDA is responsible to ensure a greater economic benefit to county residents. Projects without meaningful numbers of jobs should not benefit from lower property taxes.
And JCIDA must require additional conditions on wind turbine developers.
To benefit from any JCIDA program the developers must be required to sign Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo's code of ethics. The process of permitting wind developments has been fraught with conflicts of interests. Some local government officials deciding zoning and safety codes are the same people who have signed agreements with developers to site turbines on their personal property.
Additionally the developers must provide adequate upfront funds under control of local municipalities to remove the turbines once their useful life expires or the operators go out of business.
The JCIDA has undertaken an enormous task which will affect generations of Jefferson County residents, and they are doing it without public discussion and debate. The time has come for a serious discussion of the value of property tax breaks.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Many DEIS reviewers still unsatisfied
ROUND TWO: Main comments for proposed St. Lawrence Wind Farm regard impacts on wildlife, geology
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2009
CAPE VINCENT — Round two of the reviews of the environmental assessment of the proposed St. Lawrence Wind Farm took up where round one ended.
Like the first draft, the supplemental draft environmental impact statement has a high number of comments — more than 60 by state officials and members of the public.
Birds, wildlife and geology were the main subjects of comments on Acciona Energy North America's study of the impacts of its proposed project in the town of Cape Vincent.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation called on the developer to provide more information on bird species, especially several state-listed threatened or endangered species, including the short-eared owl.
Data on short-eared owl, state-listed endangered species, and northern harrier, state-listed threatened species, "were provided to the Project developer (Acciona), by DEC, but were not incorporated into the SDEIS and the potential impacts to these species have not been addressed," DEC staff wrote.
DEC staff saw the owls during the 2006-07 winter, at the same time that Acciona's consultants did not.
"To overcome this inconsistency in reporting between DEC and the project consultant, additional survey effort directed towards the short-eared owl is recommended during both pre-construction and post-construction, to be sure this species' distribution and abundance is accurately documented," the department wrote in its comments.
Onondaga Audubon chapter of the National Audubon Society asked for more information on birds, including grassland birds.
The letter from Thomas Riley, chairman of the chapter's Conservation Committee, cited the second Atlas of Breeding Birds of New York State in saying the area had a significant population of endangered and threatened species. The atlas had five years of work from thousands of employees, said the letter.
"The SDEIS does not report the same concentrations," Mr. Riley wrote. "We believe this is because the fieldwork for the SDEIS was not adequate in duration and expertise."
The chapter asked for two more years of bird studies.
DEC also commented on Acciona's plan for Blanding's turtle, a state-listed threatened species.
The statement said it would avoid hurting the turtles by not placing turbines in wetlands and having limited access road traffic, but DEC said the measures were not sufficient, "particularly from loss of nesting habitat by turbines and mortality caused by vehicles on roads constructed in nesting areas."
Instead, mitigation measures may include not constructing turbines during nesting season in early summer.
On geological impacts, DEC reminded the developer that it had asked for geotechnical investigations of the project area to identify karst features, which would be susceptible to allowing tainted groundwater to run into underground aquifers. Karst "is a special type of landscape that is formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks, including limestone and dolomite," according to the Karst Water Institute.
In the supplemental statement, Acciona outlined proposed karst and geological investigations.
"While this largely conforms to DEC recommendations, it is important that results of these investigations be made available to assess the adequacy of proposed mitigation measures," DEC wrote.
Acciona said in the statement that the proposed mitigation measures would be included in a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, submitted for DEC permit. But DEC said the draft plan should have been with the supplemental statement. The department may require submission of the plan before implementing it.
"Specifically lacking in this discussion is any mention of controlled concrete washout areas at turbine foundation sites," DEC wrote. "This is important to prevent concrete slurry from contaminating groundwater through karst features or surface waters and wetlands."
James C. Corbin, programming director for WWNY-TV 7, said, "It has been our experience that VHF frequencies are more affected by turbines than UHF frequencies, and contrary to the conclusion Comsearch makes, digital signals can be affected by intervening structures."
Comsearch is Acciona's source of a report on television signals.
In the digital conversion, WWNY switched its broadcast signal from 35, a UHF frequency, to 7, a VHF frequency.
He said cable would not be a viable mitigation measure for many rural viewers and satellite does not carry local broadcast stations, such as WWNY, that provide local emergency notifications.
Andrew C. Davies, utility supervisor in environmental division of the Department of Public Service, asked for more information on road widening and potential effects on existing underground utility structures. He also outlined the department's requirements, including detailed engineering, security, maintenance and decommissioning information.
Jeff Zappieri, supervisor of the consistency unit in the Office of Coastal, Local Government and Community Sustainability in the state Department of State, suggested a bond to cover all costs of decommissioning and adequate money for road repair be set aside.
Clifford P. Schneider, a town resident who has published peer-reviewed articles on sound, found problems with the noise analysis and encouraged an unbiased review of the study.
He said the report lacked a table of all non-participating residents within a mile and their assumed ambient sound and projected noise impact from the wind farm, which is a "common practice" for wind project environmental statements.
He asked for noise monitoring locations on non-participating property owners instead of all on leaseholders' property "since this analysis is ultimately intended to assess impacts on non-participating residents."
Mr. Schneider's report found that sufficient wind speeds at turbine height to make them operate happened at 30 percent of the time when winds were calm at the surface and noise was measured at an average 25.6 decibels, far below the 42 decibels Acciona's consultant used.
He wrote, "The developer needs to conduct another project layout and impact analysis that assumes a 26 dBA background sound along with the NYSDEC noise impact allowance, e.g., 5 dBA for project-only increase."
A dozen or so comments called for a moratorium on any wind development in the town for a year while about another dozen said the supplemental statement was sufficient.
According to a July 2 letter from the town's attorney on the wind power project, Todd M. Mathes, of Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna LLP, Albany, the town Planning Board "would like its consultants to work with the project applicant to move toward preparation of a Final Environmental Impact Statement which summarizes the comments received and provides responses."
ON THE NET
St. Lawrence Wind Farm
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2009
CAPE VINCENT — Round two of the reviews of the environmental assessment of the proposed St. Lawrence Wind Farm took up where round one ended.
Like the first draft, the supplemental draft environmental impact statement has a high number of comments — more than 60 by state officials and members of the public.
Birds, wildlife and geology were the main subjects of comments on Acciona Energy North America's study of the impacts of its proposed project in the town of Cape Vincent.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation called on the developer to provide more information on bird species, especially several state-listed threatened or endangered species, including the short-eared owl.
Data on short-eared owl, state-listed endangered species, and northern harrier, state-listed threatened species, "were provided to the Project developer (Acciona), by DEC, but were not incorporated into the SDEIS and the potential impacts to these species have not been addressed," DEC staff wrote.
DEC staff saw the owls during the 2006-07 winter, at the same time that Acciona's consultants did not.
"To overcome this inconsistency in reporting between DEC and the project consultant, additional survey effort directed towards the short-eared owl is recommended during both pre-construction and post-construction, to be sure this species' distribution and abundance is accurately documented," the department wrote in its comments.
Onondaga Audubon chapter of the National Audubon Society asked for more information on birds, including grassland birds.
The letter from Thomas Riley, chairman of the chapter's Conservation Committee, cited the second Atlas of Breeding Birds of New York State in saying the area had a significant population of endangered and threatened species. The atlas had five years of work from thousands of employees, said the letter.
"The SDEIS does not report the same concentrations," Mr. Riley wrote. "We believe this is because the fieldwork for the SDEIS was not adequate in duration and expertise."
The chapter asked for two more years of bird studies.
DEC also commented on Acciona's plan for Blanding's turtle, a state-listed threatened species.
The statement said it would avoid hurting the turtles by not placing turbines in wetlands and having limited access road traffic, but DEC said the measures were not sufficient, "particularly from loss of nesting habitat by turbines and mortality caused by vehicles on roads constructed in nesting areas."
Instead, mitigation measures may include not constructing turbines during nesting season in early summer.
On geological impacts, DEC reminded the developer that it had asked for geotechnical investigations of the project area to identify karst features, which would be susceptible to allowing tainted groundwater to run into underground aquifers. Karst "is a special type of landscape that is formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks, including limestone and dolomite," according to the Karst Water Institute.
In the supplemental statement, Acciona outlined proposed karst and geological investigations.
"While this largely conforms to DEC recommendations, it is important that results of these investigations be made available to assess the adequacy of proposed mitigation measures," DEC wrote.
Acciona said in the statement that the proposed mitigation measures would be included in a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, submitted for DEC permit. But DEC said the draft plan should have been with the supplemental statement. The department may require submission of the plan before implementing it.
"Specifically lacking in this discussion is any mention of controlled concrete washout areas at turbine foundation sites," DEC wrote. "This is important to prevent concrete slurry from contaminating groundwater through karst features or surface waters and wetlands."
James C. Corbin, programming director for WWNY-TV 7, said, "It has been our experience that VHF frequencies are more affected by turbines than UHF frequencies, and contrary to the conclusion Comsearch makes, digital signals can be affected by intervening structures."
Comsearch is Acciona's source of a report on television signals.
In the digital conversion, WWNY switched its broadcast signal from 35, a UHF frequency, to 7, a VHF frequency.
He said cable would not be a viable mitigation measure for many rural viewers and satellite does not carry local broadcast stations, such as WWNY, that provide local emergency notifications.
Andrew C. Davies, utility supervisor in environmental division of the Department of Public Service, asked for more information on road widening and potential effects on existing underground utility structures. He also outlined the department's requirements, including detailed engineering, security, maintenance and decommissioning information.
Jeff Zappieri, supervisor of the consistency unit in the Office of Coastal, Local Government and Community Sustainability in the state Department of State, suggested a bond to cover all costs of decommissioning and adequate money for road repair be set aside.
Clifford P. Schneider, a town resident who has published peer-reviewed articles on sound, found problems with the noise analysis and encouraged an unbiased review of the study.
He said the report lacked a table of all non-participating residents within a mile and their assumed ambient sound and projected noise impact from the wind farm, which is a "common practice" for wind project environmental statements.
He asked for noise monitoring locations on non-participating property owners instead of all on leaseholders' property "since this analysis is ultimately intended to assess impacts on non-participating residents."
Mr. Schneider's report found that sufficient wind speeds at turbine height to make them operate happened at 30 percent of the time when winds were calm at the surface and noise was measured at an average 25.6 decibels, far below the 42 decibels Acciona's consultant used.
He wrote, "The developer needs to conduct another project layout and impact analysis that assumes a 26 dBA background sound along with the NYSDEC noise impact allowance, e.g., 5 dBA for project-only increase."
A dozen or so comments called for a moratorium on any wind development in the town for a year while about another dozen said the supplemental statement was sufficient.
According to a July 2 letter from the town's attorney on the wind power project, Todd M. Mathes, of Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna LLP, Albany, the town Planning Board "would like its consultants to work with the project applicant to move toward preparation of a Final Environmental Impact Statement which summarizes the comments received and provides responses."
ON THE NET
St. Lawrence Wind Farm
Thursday, July 23, 2009
JCIDA Board Chairman Urban Hirschey petitions to run for Cape Vincent supervisor
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2009
CAPE VINCENT — Urban C. Hirschey, chairman of the Board of Directors of Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency, has submitted 64 signatures to run for town of Cape Vincent supervisor.
"I have a passion for the job," Mr. Hirschey, a Republican, said. "I really want the town to live up to its potential."
Watertown Daily Times | JCIDA Board Chairman Urban Hirschey petitions to run for Cape Vincent supervisor
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Wind power ~ Watertown Daily Times Editorial
Watertown Daily Times | Wind power
Developers should pay full taxes
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009
Jefferson County development officials continue to wrestle with the terms of a tax-exempt policy for several wind power projects planned for the county.
The Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency is struggling to draft a uniform policy for payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements. The PILOTS would allow the developers of the Galloo Island Wind Farm and three other proposed projects around the county to make annual payments to the county, towns and school districts in place of taxes.
The IDA has to come up with a framework guiding taxing jurisdictions. It has to decide a method for determining how much revenue will be divided up by the taxing jurisdictions, while leaving specifics of the split to them.
Complicating the discussions is the matter of transmission lines proposed by three of the developers. The lines may be taxable property since they are not state-recognized utilities.
The issue could be resolved by rejecting a PILOT for any project as suggested by JCIDA board member James W. Wright, chief executive officer of the Development Authority of the North Country. Without a PILOT, developers would pay full taxes on their projects.
The projects will have far-reaching impacts throughout the county and not just on the host communities, while they do not provide long-term jobs. Project developers should pay taxes like other businesses and industries.
Developers should pay full taxes
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009
Jefferson County development officials continue to wrestle with the terms of a tax-exempt policy for several wind power projects planned for the county.
The Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency is struggling to draft a uniform policy for payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements. The PILOTS would allow the developers of the Galloo Island Wind Farm and three other proposed projects around the county to make annual payments to the county, towns and school districts in place of taxes.
The IDA has to come up with a framework guiding taxing jurisdictions. It has to decide a method for determining how much revenue will be divided up by the taxing jurisdictions, while leaving specifics of the split to them.
Complicating the discussions is the matter of transmission lines proposed by three of the developers. The lines may be taxable property since they are not state-recognized utilities.
The issue could be resolved by rejecting a PILOT for any project as suggested by JCIDA board member James W. Wright, chief executive officer of the Development Authority of the North Country. Without a PILOT, developers would pay full taxes on their projects.
The projects will have far-reaching impacts throughout the county and not just on the host communities, while they do not provide long-term jobs. Project developers should pay taxes like other businesses and industries.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Moratorium a ploy by Cape Vincent board ~ Letter
Watertown Daily Times Moratorium a ploy by Cape Vincent board
Moratorium a ploy by Cape Vincent board
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2009
After reading that town of Cape Vincent officials are considering a selective moratorium on wind development in the Watertown Times on July 10, I am left wondering, what's new and where's the threat?
In 2006, the town's Planning Board passed a resolution they did not need a wind law and Supervisor Thomas Rienbeck and the town board quickly followed by killing the wind law initiative. This ill-advised action exposed river and lake districts to unregulated commercial wind development for the past three years. The idea of a moratorium is nothing new either. Since 2006 the town board ignored numerous requests to institute a moratorium on wind development. So, what has changed?
The selective moratorium is either a good idea or it is a calculated distraction designed to give the impression the town board is protecting us while they quietly approve the St. Lawrence Wind Farm. It will be easy to tell the difference between honesty and deception. If town officials can show that a commercial wind developer is pursuing landowner agreements within the river and lake districts, then I will believe their moratorium is an honest attempt to protect our interests. If not, however, it will show their moratorium is nothing more than a worthless, calculated deception.
If town officials want a serious threat, however, they should look no further than the current wind projects. Contrary to wind developer's speculation, most of the homes along the river district (along with many in the agricultural district) will be within a zone of adverse noise impacts from the turbines proposed for the St. Lawrence Wind Farm.
But, the Times quotes Supervisor Rienbeck wondering what sound study is right, the developers or one commissioned by the Wind Power Ethics Group. One way to help us all understand which study is accurate is to ask the town's sound consultant. Regrettably, Cape Vincent officials are not releasing their sound consultant's reviews and recommendations. Instead, they have used Freedom of Information Law to make these documents unavailable to the public, and they have muffled their engineering consultants.
Before the August hearing on their proposed moratorium, Cape officials need to come clean. They should prove to us there is active wind developer in the river and lake districts. They should also let us see what their engineering experts are recommending regarding the noise issues and impacts. My guess is that this is all a ploy designed to help get the St. Lawrence Wind Farm approved before the November election. Surprise, surprise.
Clif Schneider
Cape Vincent
Moratorium a ploy by Cape Vincent board
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2009
After reading that town of Cape Vincent officials are considering a selective moratorium on wind development in the Watertown Times on July 10, I am left wondering, what's new and where's the threat?
In 2006, the town's Planning Board passed a resolution they did not need a wind law and Supervisor Thomas Rienbeck and the town board quickly followed by killing the wind law initiative. This ill-advised action exposed river and lake districts to unregulated commercial wind development for the past three years. The idea of a moratorium is nothing new either. Since 2006 the town board ignored numerous requests to institute a moratorium on wind development. So, what has changed?
The selective moratorium is either a good idea or it is a calculated distraction designed to give the impression the town board is protecting us while they quietly approve the St. Lawrence Wind Farm. It will be easy to tell the difference between honesty and deception. If town officials can show that a commercial wind developer is pursuing landowner agreements within the river and lake districts, then I will believe their moratorium is an honest attempt to protect our interests. If not, however, it will show their moratorium is nothing more than a worthless, calculated deception.
If town officials want a serious threat, however, they should look no further than the current wind projects. Contrary to wind developer's speculation, most of the homes along the river district (along with many in the agricultural district) will be within a zone of adverse noise impacts from the turbines proposed for the St. Lawrence Wind Farm.
But, the Times quotes Supervisor Rienbeck wondering what sound study is right, the developers or one commissioned by the Wind Power Ethics Group. One way to help us all understand which study is accurate is to ask the town's sound consultant. Regrettably, Cape Vincent officials are not releasing their sound consultant's reviews and recommendations. Instead, they have used Freedom of Information Law to make these documents unavailable to the public, and they have muffled their engineering consultants.
Before the August hearing on their proposed moratorium, Cape officials need to come clean. They should prove to us there is active wind developer in the river and lake districts. They should also let us see what their engineering experts are recommending regarding the noise issues and impacts. My guess is that this is all a ploy designed to help get the St. Lawrence Wind Farm approved before the November election. Surprise, surprise.
Clif Schneider
Cape Vincent
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wind farm foes describe the noise
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2009
CLAYTON — "At times, it is almost unbearable."
Cohocton Wind Farm leaseholder Hal E. Graham told north country residents Wednesday night about the noise and other effects the 50-turbine wind farm has had on his and his neighbors' lives.
Mr. Graham has one turbine on his property, 2,000 feet from his house. A neighbor has one 1,050 feet away from Mr. Graham's house.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Planned wind farm session criticized as biased
Planned wind farm session criticized as biased
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2009
CLAYTON — Thousand Islands High School will host a wind information session next week which has already been questioned by some as biased.
The session, called "Life in a Wind Farm," will have three speakers from the region who are living on wind farms. It is billed as an opportunity for people to learn the pros and cons of what it's like after the wind farm has been built.
The free session will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the school, 8481 County Route 9. A question-and-answer session will follow.
Cape Vincent resident John L. Byrne, one of the organizers, said the sponsors of the session are not the local groups who have voiced opposition to proposed local wind projects, but a collection of citizens from Cape Vincent, Clayton, Hammond, Lyme and other surrounding towns.
"Some are members of the groups and some aren't," he said. "We want a fair non-biased look at this issue."
Mr. Byrne is a member of Wind Power Ethics Group in Cape Vincent.
The speakers include Cohocton Town Justice Hal E. Graham, a leaseholder in First Wind's Cohocton Wind Farm; Steve Trude, a nonparticipating resident in Cohocton and president of opposition group Cohocton Wind Watch; and Gail Kenney, a nonparticipating resident on Wolfe Island and a founding member of opposition group Wolfe Island Residents for the Environment.
Though all three speakers are known for their criticism of the completed projects, Mr. Byrne said they were chosen because they supported wind power at some point.
"It was important to have people speaking who are not 'anti-wind,'" he said. "We wanted to get a fair assessment as to the effects of wind farms."
But the session's fairness has already been questioned by some.
At the Cape Vincent Town Council meeting Thursday night, Supervisor Thomas K. Rienbeck said to session sponsors, "Now my understanding is that if somebody wants to speak, they are not going to be allowed."
Carol A. Simpson, another organizer for the event and member of WPEG, responded, "The citizens of the townships have gotten together and are paying for this thing and, yes, we have a full schedule for this time."
Mr. Rienbeck asked if people from other areas living near wind farms who want to talk would be allowed.
"Uh, no," she said. "They can ask questions. And, if you wanted, you could have a presentation of your own."
Mr. Byrne said the forum is in response to questions and requests from local citizens.
"We'd all like to learn from people who are living with this," he said. "This is the largest development that has ever hit this area."
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2009
CLAYTON — Thousand Islands High School will host a wind information session next week which has already been questioned by some as biased.
The session, called "Life in a Wind Farm," will have three speakers from the region who are living on wind farms. It is billed as an opportunity for people to learn the pros and cons of what it's like after the wind farm has been built.
The free session will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the school, 8481 County Route 9. A question-and-answer session will follow.
Cape Vincent resident John L. Byrne, one of the organizers, said the sponsors of the session are not the local groups who have voiced opposition to proposed local wind projects, but a collection of citizens from Cape Vincent, Clayton, Hammond, Lyme and other surrounding towns.
"Some are members of the groups and some aren't," he said. "We want a fair non-biased look at this issue."
Mr. Byrne is a member of Wind Power Ethics Group in Cape Vincent.
The speakers include Cohocton Town Justice Hal E. Graham, a leaseholder in First Wind's Cohocton Wind Farm; Steve Trude, a nonparticipating resident in Cohocton and president of opposition group Cohocton Wind Watch; and Gail Kenney, a nonparticipating resident on Wolfe Island and a founding member of opposition group Wolfe Island Residents for the Environment.
Though all three speakers are known for their criticism of the completed projects, Mr. Byrne said they were chosen because they supported wind power at some point.
"It was important to have people speaking who are not 'anti-wind,'" he said. "We wanted to get a fair assessment as to the effects of wind farms."
But the session's fairness has already been questioned by some.
At the Cape Vincent Town Council meeting Thursday night, Supervisor Thomas K. Rienbeck said to session sponsors, "Now my understanding is that if somebody wants to speak, they are not going to be allowed."
Carol A. Simpson, another organizer for the event and member of WPEG, responded, "The citizens of the townships have gotten together and are paying for this thing and, yes, we have a full schedule for this time."
Mr. Rienbeck asked if people from other areas living near wind farms who want to talk would be allowed.
"Uh, no," she said. "They can ask questions. And, if you wanted, you could have a presentation of your own."
Mr. Byrne said the forum is in response to questions and requests from local citizens.
"We'd all like to learn from people who are living with this," he said. "This is the largest development that has ever hit this area."
Friday, July 10, 2009
Town eyes selective wind moratorium
Town eyes selective wind moratoriumBy NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2009
CAPE VINCENT — While a new wind power development zoning law is in a holding pattern, the Town Council at its August meeting will consider a moratorium on all wind power development in the river and lake districts.
On Thursday night, Supervisor Thomas K. Rienbeck suggested a yearlong moratorium "since we can't seem to come up with a suitable zoning law dealing with wind power."
The other council members at the meeting agreed it was a good idea.
"We've said all along we didn't want them in the lake and river district," said Councilman Marty T. Mason.
Councilman Joseph H. Wood suggested the moratorium could expire in the event that a zoning law is passed.
Town resident Thomas M. Gormel asked why the rest of the town would not be covered.
"Currently, we have two projects under review in the ag district and we're not going to suspend those," Mr. Rienbeck said. "One is almost complete."
The proposed Cape Vincent Wind Farm would be in the southern part of the town's agricultural district and the proposed St. Lawrence Wind Farm is planned for the northern agricultural district.
Councilman Donald J. Mason agreed. "Those projects are too far along and it's not fair to the wind companies, to begin with, to suspend them now."
Town resident John L. Byrne asked where recommendations from the town's Wind Committee stood regarding the new wind power development zoning law. Mr. Rienbeck said the town's Albany-based law firm, Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna, is continuing to fine-tune the new law.
"We're trying to get it so that if we do enact it, that it will be able to stand up for any legal challenges, from either side," Mr. Rienbeck said. "And we've been criticized that we didn't have enough voting members on the board to enact a law, so I'm not sure about that now."
Town officials are hesitant to bring a new law up for a vote because they have faced criticism from the Wind Power Ethics Group charging that councilmen Marty Mason, Donald Mason and Mr. Wood have conflicts of interest due to leases on their property for turbines.
Mr. Rienbeck said other holdups on the law include developing an enforcement mechanism and establishing a set ambient noise level.
According to the committee's suggestions, the town would field complaints on noise and other compliance issues from residents. He said he wanted to avoid repeated, groundless nuisance calls.
"We would like to have an ambient noise level established," he said. "The wind farms have done their own sound studies and they paid the piper, and WPEG has done a sound study and they paid the piper, and the question is whose tune is right."
The council will hold a public hearing on the moratorium at 6 p.m. Aug. 13 at the town office.
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2009
CAPE VINCENT — While a new wind power development zoning law is in a holding pattern, the Town Council at its August meeting will consider a moratorium on all wind power development in the river and lake districts.
On Thursday night, Supervisor Thomas K. Rienbeck suggested a yearlong moratorium "since we can't seem to come up with a suitable zoning law dealing with wind power."
The other council members at the meeting agreed it was a good idea.
"We've said all along we didn't want them in the lake and river district," said Councilman Marty T. Mason.
Councilman Joseph H. Wood suggested the moratorium could expire in the event that a zoning law is passed.
Town resident Thomas M. Gormel asked why the rest of the town would not be covered.
"Currently, we have two projects under review in the ag district and we're not going to suspend those," Mr. Rienbeck said. "One is almost complete."
The proposed Cape Vincent Wind Farm would be in the southern part of the town's agricultural district and the proposed St. Lawrence Wind Farm is planned for the northern agricultural district.
Councilman Donald J. Mason agreed. "Those projects are too far along and it's not fair to the wind companies, to begin with, to suspend them now."
Town resident John L. Byrne asked where recommendations from the town's Wind Committee stood regarding the new wind power development zoning law. Mr. Rienbeck said the town's Albany-based law firm, Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna, is continuing to fine-tune the new law.
"We're trying to get it so that if we do enact it, that it will be able to stand up for any legal challenges, from either side," Mr. Rienbeck said. "And we've been criticized that we didn't have enough voting members on the board to enact a law, so I'm not sure about that now."
Town officials are hesitant to bring a new law up for a vote because they have faced criticism from the Wind Power Ethics Group charging that councilmen Marty Mason, Donald Mason and Mr. Wood have conflicts of interest due to leases on their property for turbines.
Mr. Rienbeck said other holdups on the law include developing an enforcement mechanism and establishing a set ambient noise level.
According to the committee's suggestions, the town would field complaints on noise and other compliance issues from residents. He said he wanted to avoid repeated, groundless nuisance calls.
"We would like to have an ambient noise level established," he said. "The wind farms have done their own sound studies and they paid the piper, and WPEG has done a sound study and they paid the piper, and the question is whose tune is right."
The council will hold a public hearing on the moratorium at 6 p.m. Aug. 13 at the town office.
TOWN EYES SELECTIVE WIND MORATORIUM
Watertown Daily Times (NY)
July 10, 2009
TOWN EYES SELECTIVE WIND MORATORIUM
Author: NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
Edition: Both
Section: Jefferson
Page: B1
Dateline: CAPE VINCENT
While a new wind power development zoning law is in a holding pattern, the Town Council at its August meeting will consider a moratorium on all wind power development in the river and lake districts.
On Thursday night, Supervisor Thomas K. Rienbeck suggested a yearlong moratorium "since we can't seem to come up with a suitable zoning law dealing with wind power."
The other council members at the meeting agreed it was a good idea.
"We've said all along we didn't want them in the lake and river district," said Councilman Marty T. Mason.
Councilman Joseph H. Wood suggested the moratorium could expire in the event that a zoning law is passed.
Town resident Thomas M. Gormel asked why the rest of the town would not be covered.
"Currently, we have two projects under review in the ag district and we're not going to suspend those," Mr. Rienbeck said. "One is almost complete."
The proposed Cape Vincent Wind Farm would be in the southern part of the town's agricultural district and the proposed St. Lawrence Wind Farm is planned for the northern agricultural district.
Councilman Donald J. Mason agreed. "Those projects are too far along and it's not fair to the wind companies, to begin with, to suspend them now."
Town resident John L. Byrne asked where recommendations from the town's Wind Committee stood regarding the new wind power development zoning law. Mr. Rienbeck said the town's Albany-based law firm, Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna, is continuing to fine-tune the new law.
"We're trying to get it so that if we do enact it, that it will be able to stand up for any legal challenges, from either side," Mr. Rienbeck said. "And we've been criticized that we didn't have enough voting members on the board to enact a law, so I'm not sure about that now."
Town officials are hesitant to bring a new law up for a vote because they have faced criticism from the Wind Power Ethics Group charging that councilmen Marty Mason, Donald Mason and Mr. Wood have conflicts of interest due to leases on their property for turbines.
Mr. Rienbeck said other holdups on the law include developing an enforcement mechanism and establishing a set ambient noise level.
According to the committee's suggestions, the town would field complaints on noise and other compliance issues from residents. He said he wanted to avoid repeated, groundless nuisance calls.
"We would like to have an ambient noise level established," he said. "The wind farms have done their own sound studies and they paid the piper, and WPEG has done a sound study and they paid the piper, and the question is whose tune is right."
The council will hold a public hearing on the moratorium at 6 p.m. Aug. 13 at the town office.
July 10, 2009
TOWN EYES SELECTIVE WIND MORATORIUM
Author: NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
Edition: Both
Section: Jefferson
Page: B1
Dateline: CAPE VINCENT
While a new wind power development zoning law is in a holding pattern, the Town Council at its August meeting will consider a moratorium on all wind power development in the river and lake districts.
On Thursday night, Supervisor Thomas K. Rienbeck suggested a yearlong moratorium "since we can't seem to come up with a suitable zoning law dealing with wind power."
The other council members at the meeting agreed it was a good idea.
"We've said all along we didn't want them in the lake and river district," said Councilman Marty T. Mason.
Councilman Joseph H. Wood suggested the moratorium could expire in the event that a zoning law is passed.
Town resident Thomas M. Gormel asked why the rest of the town would not be covered.
"Currently, we have two projects under review in the ag district and we're not going to suspend those," Mr. Rienbeck said. "One is almost complete."
The proposed Cape Vincent Wind Farm would be in the southern part of the town's agricultural district and the proposed St. Lawrence Wind Farm is planned for the northern agricultural district.
Councilman Donald J. Mason agreed. "Those projects are too far along and it's not fair to the wind companies, to begin with, to suspend them now."
Town resident John L. Byrne asked where recommendations from the town's Wind Committee stood regarding the new wind power development zoning law. Mr. Rienbeck said the town's Albany-based law firm, Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna, is continuing to fine-tune the new law.
"We're trying to get it so that if we do enact it, that it will be able to stand up for any legal challenges, from either side," Mr. Rienbeck said. "And we've been criticized that we didn't have enough voting members on the board to enact a law, so I'm not sure about that now."
Town officials are hesitant to bring a new law up for a vote because they have faced criticism from the Wind Power Ethics Group charging that councilmen Marty Mason, Donald Mason and Mr. Wood have conflicts of interest due to leases on their property for turbines.
Mr. Rienbeck said other holdups on the law include developing an enforcement mechanism and establishing a set ambient noise level.
According to the committee's suggestions, the town would field complaints on noise and other compliance issues from residents. He said he wanted to avoid repeated, groundless nuisance calls.
"We would like to have an ambient noise level established," he said. "The wind farms have done their own sound studies and they paid the piper, and WPEG has done a sound study and they paid the piper, and the question is whose tune is right."
The council will hold a public hearing on the moratorium at 6 p.m. Aug. 13 at the town office.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Clayton Planning Board comments on wind law
Watertown Daily Times | Planning Board comments on wind law
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
MONDAY, JULY 6, 2009
CLAYTON — Members of the Planning Board are weighing in on the recommendations for a zoning law amendment by the town's Wind Committee.
All but one member wrote up comments, which were not available to the public at Thursday night's Planning Board meeting.
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By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
MONDAY, JULY 6, 2009
CLAYTON — Members of the Planning Board are weighing in on the recommendations for a zoning law amendment by the town's Wind Committee.
All but one member wrote up comments, which were not available to the public at Thursday night's Planning Board meeting.
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Thursday, July 2, 2009
Group has an agenda ~ Letter to the Editor
Watertown Daily Times | Group has an agenda
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2009
According to John Byrne of the Wind Power Ethics Group, as quoted in a June 23 Watertown Daily Times story: "He who pays the piper picks the tune." This group is not an organization of unbiased citizens looking for the truth. They have a definite agenda to prohibit wind turbines, and they are about as ethical as our politicians in Albany.
Most reputable consulting engineering firms, presenting unweighted data, do so without attacking the data presented by other engineering firms. It looks as if the WPEG not only got the tune they paid for, but an encore as well.
I don't care for the music.
Lee Docteur
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2009
According to John Byrne of the Wind Power Ethics Group, as quoted in a June 23 Watertown Daily Times story: "He who pays the piper picks the tune." This group is not an organization of unbiased citizens looking for the truth. They have a definite agenda to prohibit wind turbines, and they are about as ethical as our politicians in Albany.
Most reputable consulting engineering firms, presenting unweighted data, do so without attacking the data presented by other engineering firms. It looks as if the WPEG not only got the tune they paid for, but an encore as well.
I don't care for the music.
Lee Docteur
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