PSC adds new wind farm study to list

Watertown Daily Times | PSC adds new wind farm study to list

By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2009


Developers of the proposed Galloo Island, Horse Creek and Cape Vincent wind farms have one more study to add to their lists after an order from the Public Service Commission.

Under the PSC's order, dated Oct. 20, all renewable energy projects built at 80 megawatts or more in capacity must conduct the "energy deliverability" study.

Legislators to take time on PILOT ~ GALLOO ISLAND WIND FARM

Legislators to take time on PILOT
GALLOO ISLAND WIND FARM: Developer hoped deal would be sealed in time to take advantage of funding
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009


The Jefferson County Board of Legislators will take its time in considering a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm.

That pace is at odds with the project developer, which has requested the PILOT be approved by the end of the year so the project will qualify for a 30 percent rebate from the federal government through stimulus funding.

Cape Vincent ~ Seasonal Residents Protect Natural Resources~ Letter

Seasonal Residents Protect Natural Resources


Seasonal Residents Protect Natural Resources

Watertown Daily Times

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009

In response to the comment by "outgoing" Cape Vincent Supervisor Thomas Rienbeck wherein he refers to seasonal voters as selfish rich folks only interested in their cottages: Mr. Rienbeck no doubt loves seasonal residents when they pay their higher-than-average property taxes and when they financially support local business and community events.

Left in office, he would continue to appreciate all the revenue that seasonals pour into the community just so long as they dare not vote in opposition to polices he promotes, policies that would result in the destruction of many of the area's natural resources and the small-town ambience that attract seasonal residents and vacationers here in the first place.

Seasonal residents are in fact rich, but in most cases not financially rich as his comments imply. They are enriched by their enjoyment of time spent in some of the most relaxing and beautiful locations in the country, the Thousand Islands and the Golden Crescent. Seasonals choose to come to upstate New York (and in many cases retire here) from many distant destinations.

As community residents they should be afforded the same rights of citizenship as longtime residents. They pay their share, they support the community, and they also feel an obligation to protect the natural and wildlife resources of the area, an obligation that Mr. Rienbeck seems all too willing to sell to the highest bidder and deface in the process.

Also in the same edition, Don DiMonda of Sackets Harbor condemns the Times for speaking out against the Galloo Island payment-in-lieu-of-taxes arrangement. While he freely admonishes the Times for speaking out against a project that would seemingly generate millions of dollars of revenue for area towns and school districts, he conveniently forgets to say just where those millions come from. The PILOT payments are in fact only a small portion of the proceeds of millions and millions of dollars in financial incentives and tax adjustments freely given to wind developers and funded by we the people of the already bankrupt state of New York.

Every dollar of tax concessions (PILOTs, sales tax, etc.) extracted from local taxing jurisdictions becomes an instant dollar of profit for the project developer. These people know not and care not that their endeavors destroy the natural beauty, wildlife and recreational attractions of the area; they care not about negative impacts on the area's number two revenue source (travel, tourism and seasonal residents). They care not about decreased property values (and corresponding lower tax assessments).

Charles Wilson

Three Mile Bay

Galloo ~ Island Wind ~ County Pushes Underwater Route

County Pushes Underwater Route

GALLOO ISLAND WIND FARM: Alternative would move transmission cable from land to water

By NANCY MADSENn
 , TIMES STAFF WRITER

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009

Jefferson County legislators will consider Tuesday asking that the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm transmission line be run completely underwater to Oswego County, rather than running over 20 miles of land in southern Jefferson County.

Legislator Barry M. Ormsby, R-Belleville, said he's going to offer a resolution to ask the Public Service Commission to "give serious consideration to the aquatic line versus the above-land option."

Continue reading Via this link to the WDT

Proposed wind law pulled from county meeting agenda

Proposed wind law pulled from county meeting agenda
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009

A proposed zoning law for wind development in Cape Vincent has been pulled from the Jefferson County Planning Board meeting's agenda. The county board meets Tuesday.

County senior planner Michael J. Bourcy said the town asked for the draft to be pulled this month.

At a town Planning Board meeting Wednesday night, the town made no recommendations on the draft law, saying information was missing. The Town Council canceled a public hearing scheduled for Monday.

Cape wind hearing probably canceled

Cape wind hearing probably canceled
SECTION MISSING: Town Planning Board urges council to postpone meeting on proposed law
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009

CAPE VINCENT — The town Planning Board asked the Town Council not to hold a public hearing next week on a proposed wind development zoning ordinance, citing missing information.

The Planning Board, meeting Wednesday night, voted 5-0 on the resolution. The hearing for the law was to be Monday.

Hirschey squeaks out Cape Vincent win

Hirschey squeaks out Cape Vincent win
NEW TOWN SUPERVISOR: Rienbeck says seasonal voters 'selfish'

By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009

CAPE VINCENT — The official count of absentee ballots Tuesday gave victory to Urban C. Hirschey in the race for town supervisor.

Mr. Hirschey was down by 42 votes on Election Day but picked up 62 more votes than Democratic incumbent Thomas K. Rienbeck in absentees, 144-82. The final tally was 634-614.

 Continue reading via this link to the WDT times

2009 Lame Duck Wind Law ~

Correction ~ Not too long ago I did a post concerning a Watertown Times article where it was reported that Councilman ,Donald J Mason claimed that he had never voted on a wind matter. My post contained a video proving otherwise.
The vote in question, resolution number 17, to enact a wind law.
I have a correction. Resolution # 17 does exist
I found a copy of resolution number 17 in my files.




Link to my original post.

Link to the Watertown Times article

Galloo Island ~ Transmission line gets no support

Transmission line gets no support

Nancy Madsen, Watertown Daily Times Staff Writer

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2009

Landowners in Henderson and Ellisburg are charged up over the proposed transmission line for Galloo Island Wind Farm.

They voiced their displeasure with the plan during public hearings for the Public Service Commission on Monday morning and evening in Henderson and Belleville. In fact, none of the about 50 speakers at Monday's hearings supported the project.

 Continue reading via this link to the WDT Times

Cape slates hearing for law on wind

Watertown Daily Times | Cape slates hearing for law on wind

ZONING AMENDMENT: Wind Power Ethics Group says proposal not tough enough on sound restrictions
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2009


CAPE VINCENT — It could be the 11th hour for the Town Council, so it has decided to move ahead with an amendment to the zoning law for wind energy development.

The proposed law does not contain overt restrictions on sound, either by an absolute number or by a number relative to ambient noise levels. That upsets members of the Wind Power Ethics Group, which has opposed proposed wind developments in the town and actions by town boards that have conflicts of interest.

Wind Power Ethics Group says proposal not tough enough on sound restrictiions

Wind Power Ethics Group says proposal not tough enough on sound restrictiions

NANCY MADSEN, WATERTOWN TIMES STAFF REPORTER,

NOVEMBER 14, 2009

CAPE VINCENT It could be the 11th hour for the Town Council, so it has decided to move ahead with an amendment to the zoning law for wind energy development.

The proposed law does not contain overt restrictions on sound, either by an absolute number or by a number relative to ambient noise levels. That upsets members of the Wind Power Ethics Group, which has opposed proposed wind developments in the town and actions by town boards that have conflicts of interest.

 continue reading via this link to the WDT Times

Galloo~ Developers win ~ Watertown Times Editorial

Bad deal for Jefferson County taxpayers

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2009


Jefferson County homeowners, dairy farmers and small businesses will pay the price in higher taxes to subsidize tax breaks for developers of the Galloo Island Wind Farm under the terms of a tax agreement worked out with the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency.

The county, town of Hounsfield and Sackets Harbor School District will lose out on tens of millions of dollars in property taxes on the nearly $500 million project under the terms of the JCIDA agreement with Upstate NY Power Corp. for payments in lieu of taxes.

The Cape Vincent Town Board passed a LAME DUCK resolution to enact a local law to regulate wind development in the Town of Cape Vinc

November 12, 2009 The Cape Vincent Town Board passed a LAME DUCK resolution to enact a local law to regulate wind development in the Town of Cape Vincent .
The resolution
Now, therefore be it resolved by the Town of Cape Vincent Town Board As Follows:

1. The Town Board is the SEQRA lead agency for purposes of reviewing the enactment of the wind Energy Facilities law in accordance with SEQRA ;

2. The action is Unlisted within the meaning of the SEQRA regulations;

3. The Town Board has completed part 1 of a full environmental Assessment Form which is attached here to and adopted hereby;

4. The draft Wind Energy Facilities law last revised on August 12, 2009 shall be referred together with part 1 of the full Environmental Assessment form to the Town of Cape Vincent Planning Board in accordance with the Zoning Law, and Jefferson County Planning Department in accordance with the General Municipal law, for review and comment;

5. A public hearing to gather public and/ or agency comment on the draft wind energy Facilities law shall be held at Recreation Park on November 23 , 2009 at 7:00 P.M., and written comments shall be accepted by the Town Board , care of the Town Supervisor’s Office , through November 30, 2009;

6. The Town Clerk shall cause a public hearing notice to be published in the Watertown Daily Times on November 13, 2009 and posted on the official Town sign –board.
The Vote
Town Board Member - AYE
1. Thomas K. Reinbeck - AYE
2. Marty Mason - AYE
3. Mickey Orvis- AYE
4. Joseph Wood - AYE
5. Donald Mason - AYE

WIND LAW PLAN LEADS TO FEUD ~ Clayton

WIND LAW PLAN LEADS TO FEUD
By Nancy Madsen, Watertown Times Staff Writer

November 12, 2009

CLAYTON ” Iberdrola Renewables Inc. and Environmentally Concerned Citizens Organization are trading jabs over the proposal to amend the town's zoning law for wind power facilities.

Iberdrola's attorney, Douglas H. Ward, of Young, Sommer, Ward, Ritzenberg, Baker & Moore LLC, Albany, asked the town not to change the town's zoning law in a Sept. 21 letter.

Galloo Island ~ Developer windfall: $23 million

PILOT AGREEMENT: Galloo Island project PILOT is $2.4 million

By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2009

The proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm is ready to agree to spend more than $2 million per year as part of a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement, but it stands to save nearly $23 million in other tax abatements.

Officials from the town of Hounsfield, Sackets Harbor Central School District and Jefferson County are firming up their division of a property tax PILOT, which will generate $2.14 million per year.

Rienbeck, Hirschey await absentee ballots count

By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2009

CAPE VINCENT — A week has passed since Election Day, but the race for town supervisor is far from over.

Democratic incumbent Thomas K. Rienbeck currently holds a 42-vote lead over Republican Urban C. Hirschey, 532-490. However, there were 259 absentee ballots issued, and 230 were returned to the Board of Elections office. Those votes could turn the tables on the incumbent.

The absentee ballots will be counted Nov. 17.

Mr. Hirschey said that several of the absentee ballots represent seasonal residents — from Syracuse, Rochester and Utica — who changed their registration to Cape Vincent to have a voice in the election.

"I'd be delighted if I win," Mr. Hirschey said. "But let's not count our chickens before they hatch."

Mr. Rienbeck did not return calls seeking comment Monday.

Mr. Rienbeck, who has been in office for 10 years, said earlier last week that he was not going to assume his victory when there were more than 200 absentee votes to be counted. He also said he hopes "things will stay the way they are right now."

Mr. Hirschey, a Republican, said winning almost half of the votes cast on Election Day, despite conflicts with his own political party, was itself "a victory" for him and his supporters.

"I'm very pleased on how well we did," he said. "Whichever side wins, they must be respectful of the other side."

The local Republican committee dropped its support for Mr. Hirschey and other Republican candidates for town office because several members said they felt the Democratic contenders, such as Mr. Rienbeck, were more qualified.

Mr. Hirschey is a member and former chairman of the Wind Power Ethics Group, which opposes unregulated wind development in the town. Mr. Rienbeck has supported the proposed wind farm projects.

If he is elected supervisor, Mr. Hirschey said, his main priorities will be adopting a "good wind law" to spread out the wind turbines and revitalizing the town's Main Street.

Two wind projects are proposed in Cape Vincent: the Cape Vincent Wind Farm in the southern part of the town's agricultural district and the St. Lawrence Wind Farm planned for the northern part.

Mr. Hirschey said he also plans to make the town's decision-making process more transparent to the public by videotaping town meetings and uploading them on the town's Web site.

Mr. Hirschey is the chairman of the Board of Directors of Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency, the vice president of the Carthage Industrial Development Corp. and the former chairman of Climax Manufacturing Co., a plant in Lowville that manufacturers packaging.

PILOT plans draw outsider comments

PILOT plans draw outsider comments

By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2009

A handful of people from outside Hounsfield commented on the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement Monday night.

The PILOT considered at the hearing, held by the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency, only covers the 84 turbines and ancillary structures on the island and the underwater transmission line in Hounsfield. There will be PILOT negotiations and a public hearing sometime in the future for the part of the 50.6-mile transmission line that runs from Henderson to the town of Mexico.

Wind farms shouldn't qualify for PILOTs, asserted Albert H. Bowers III, Chaumont.

"My understanding is that a PILOT is a reduction in property taxes to entice employment and economic activity," he said. "I don't believe that industrial wind turbines qualify for either."


Instead, he said, wind developers make their money off of tax incentives from federal and state governments.

"I think it's a misuse of the PILOT concept to use the PILOT to encourage a developer who will reach into our pockets at the federal and state level," he said. "All of this comes at our expense."

In its application to JCIDA, Upstate NY Power projected 24 jobs created in the next three years, along with 200 to 250 construction jobs.

JCIDA, using a consultant, devised a two-tier collection on the wind farm PILOT. It would include a base payment of $8,500 per megawatt of rated capacity, plus a supplemental payment based on energy prices, the source of revenue for wind projects. Those supplemental payments would kick in when energy prices top $60 per megawatt, which has happened three out of the past four years.

Clayton Supervisor Justin A. Taylor warned JCIDA that other taxing jurisdictions involved in wind power development may not accept the same system. Clayton and Orleans are the proposed locations for Horse Creek Wind Farm, a 62-turbine development whose application is currently suspended.

Besides the PILOT, Upstate NY Power Corp. asked for a sale-leaseback arrangement with JCIDA. That could save Upstate NY Power about $22.7 million in sales and mortgage recording tax breaks.

A few people talked about the possible harm of the project.

Robert E. Ashodian, Henderson, said the wind farm will hurt property values in Henderson.

"The residents of Henderson will see their very, very brilliant viewshed destroyed by the construction of the project," he said. "There will be a deterioration in our assessed values."

Edward H. DeMattia Jr., Lyme, said, "It will affect me and the value of my property and my neighbors."

County Legislator Barry M. Ormsby, R-Belleville, said local and county officials do understand other towns besides Hounsfield will feel the effects of Galloo Island.

The town of Hounsfield, Sackets Harbor Central School District and Jefferson County will need to approve the PILOT and agree on how they're sharing the proceeds. The base payment for the 252-megawatt project will be about $2.14 million.

Representatives of the town and county said Monday they have a tentative agreement, but would not talk about the specifics.

Before the hearing, town Supervisor Martin A. DelSignore said the Town Council may discuss the PILOT as soon as Thursday. County administrator Robert F. Hagemann III said he expects the town and school district to act on the full agreement before the county Board of Legislators votes on the action.

"Without local approval, it doesn't make sense to have the more macro-level approvals first," he said.

The JCIDA board will consider the PILOT at its next meeting, 8 a.m. Dec. 3 at the Watertown Center for Business and Industry.

PSC rule exposes wind company's motives ~ Letter

Watertown Daily Times PSC rule exposes wind company's motives

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2009


A few days ago there was a most revealing article in the Albany Times Union, and it affects all state citizens.

The Public Service Commission recently said that before industrial wind projects could be approved that they had to:

■ Prove that their electricity was not just going to replace carbon dioxide-free hydro-produced electricity, and

■ Verify that available transmission capability was sufficient to carry their anticipated new power.


My first reaction was that these things haven't been formally checked out all along? The admission of that is simply astounding.

Then I see from the story that the big multinational wind companies have objected to these conditions as being too expensive. Additionally they expressed great concern that, if the results of these analyses turned out to be negative, that this information could be used against them as a basis to turn down a project. Imagine that.

So, in other words, state taxpayers and ratepayers should simply fund the developers' lucrative projects even though they may well be providing zero environmental benefit (replacing hydro) and may not be able to have their power go onto the state grid?

That should make it quite clear to anyone paying attention as to what their motivation is. It is not about benefiting state citizens, the state environment or the state electricity situation.

Then, to top it off, a purported "environmental" representative, Carol Murphy, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE-NY), said that the PSC's required checks are: "ridiculous, they're not helpful at all. They send a very, very bad message. What they tell people to do is try to avoid the PSC." She went on to say that ACE-NY might sue the PSC on this matter.

ACE-NY's Mission Statement makes bold proclamations about their organization being all about benefiting the state economically and reducing air pollution. Why would they object to making sure that carbon dioxide was really being saved and that the power being paid for was really going to the grid?

They are really wind energy lobbyists, and those good words about their "mission" are just a sleight-of-hand show to rope in the gullible public to support their self-serving lobbying efforts. It's good that this situation has given us an opportunity to see their real spots!

So kudos to the PSC for finally asking for some extremely reasonable information; hopefully this will be the start for them asking for even more worthwhile data, and more are definitely needed.

John Droz jr.

Brantingham Lake

Wind farm will harm Little Galloo bird life ~ Letter

Wind farm will harm Little Galloo bird life

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2009

While the Galloo Island Wind Farm project seems to be moving slowly along, I am writing on behalf of those who cannot, the birds.

Very close to Galloo Island is 43-acre Little Galloo Island. This, along with Gull Island and two small sites on Galloo Island, is designated the "Lake Ontario Bird Conservation Area" by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. These islands are one of the premier colonial waterbird nesting areas in North America. On Little Galloo is found probably the largest colony of ring-billed gulls in North America. Also found there is one of just two confirmed nesting sites in New York state for Caspian terns. These are designated by the state Department of Environmental Conservation a "species of greatest conservation need." Herring gulls and great black-backed gulls nest there as do double-crested cormorants.
Nearby construction activity, increased water traffic and the presence of 77 wind turbines will have a negative impact on these Little Galloo colonial nesters as well as migrating waterfowl. Collisions are inevitable.
While an increase in revenue may result for the town of Hounsfield, we may damage one of our important natural areas. I hope serious efforts continue to be made to monitor the impact of this project.

Mary Zimmer

The writer is also a resident of the town of Hounsfield and member of the North Country Bird Club and Onondaga Audubon Society.

Cape Vincent supervisor among close town races

Watertown Daily Times | Cape Vincent supervisor among close town races

By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2009


There were several close town office races in Jefferson County, and absentee votes could easily swing the results in some contested races.

Voters in Cape Vincent apparently re-elected Democratic Supervisor Thomas K. Rienbeck, according to unofficial results. Mr. Rienbeck received 532 votes, while Republican challenger Urban C. Hirschey received 490 votes.

Mr. Rienbeck said that he felt pretty good about the unofficial results Tuesday night but that the results were too close to declare his victory.

 Continue reading via title link

Wind developer leaving Henderson

STONY POINT PROJECT: Company says town has been unwilling to hear plans, meet with representatives

By NANCY MADSEN

TIMES STAFF WRITER

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2009

HENDERSON — Stony Point Wind Farm is dead.

In a Oct. 22 letter from Nixon Peabody LLP, Rochester, which represents developer United Wind Energy, Mahwah, N.J., the law firm told the town they were pulling out of the development.

"Based on the town's serial re-enactments of a moratorium prohibiting wind energy projects, stony wind has decided to direct its resources to other prospective projects elsewhere in the state," the letter states.

Link to WDT article here