Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
BP Wind discloses leases with town officials
BP Wind discloses leases with town officials
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — Town officials who have signed leases with BP Wind Energy North America Inc. stand to make between $1,500 and $27,545 annually, according to information released by BP.
The disclosure fulfills the requirements of the Wind Industry Ethics Code, which was introduced by state Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo in July. BP has a proposal for the 140-megawatt Cape Vincent Wind Farm in the southern agricultural district of the town.
Link [here ] to read lease disclosures
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — Town officials who have signed leases with BP Wind Energy North America Inc. stand to make between $1,500 and $27,545 annually, according to information released by BP.
The disclosure fulfills the requirements of the Wind Industry Ethics Code, which was introduced by state Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo in July. BP has a proposal for the 140-megawatt Cape Vincent Wind Farm in the southern agricultural district of the town.
Link [here ] to read lease disclosures
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Groups want changes to code
Watertown Daily Times | Groups want changes to code
WIND ETHICS: State's pact being negotiated for many developers
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2009
Nearly four months after the state attorney general's office established a code of conduct for wind energy developers, local wind farm developers have not yet signed on.
In fact, only the two out-of-state companies that signed the agreement Oct. 30 have committed to following the attorney general's Wind Industry Ethics Code. Those two companies, Noble Environmental Power LLC, Essex, Conn., and First Wind, Newton, Mass., signed the pact after an investigation by Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo into allegations that they were bribing local officials to push through wind projects.
WIND ETHICS: State's pact being negotiated for many developers
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2009
Nearly four months after the state attorney general's office established a code of conduct for wind energy developers, local wind farm developers have not yet signed on.
In fact, only the two out-of-state companies that signed the agreement Oct. 30 have committed to following the attorney general's Wind Industry Ethics Code. Those two companies, Noble Environmental Power LLC, Essex, Conn., and First Wind, Newton, Mass., signed the pact after an investigation by Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo into allegations that they were bribing local officials to push through wind projects.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Cape seeks opinion on possible conflict
Watertown Daily Times | Cape seeks opinion on possible conflict
WIND FARM ISSUES: Attorney general asked whether councilmen with leases should vote
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2010
CAPE VINCENT —Town Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey has asked for state Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo's opinion on wind farm-related conflicts of interest in the town.
Mr. Hirschey asked if two councilmen who have signed leases with wind developers may participate in discussions on a wind zoning ordinance, vote on the ordinance and vote on a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement, road use agreement or other town agreements with wind farm developers.
WIND FARM ISSUES: Attorney general asked whether councilmen with leases should vote
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2010
CAPE VINCENT —Town Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey has asked for state Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo's opinion on wind farm-related conflicts of interest in the town.
Mr. Hirschey asked if two councilmen who have signed leases with wind developers may participate in discussions on a wind zoning ordinance, vote on the ordinance and vote on a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement, road use agreement or other town agreements with wind farm developers.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Galloo ~ Editorial ~ Watertown Daily Times ~A dose of raw hypocrisy
Watertown Daily Times A dose of raw hypocrisy
A dose of raw hypocrisy
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2010
For raw, undisguised political pandering, you're going to have to search for awhile before you can top the Jefferson County Legislature, which will consider a resolution at its next meeting to oppose the New York Power Authority's proposal to seek wind developers for offshore locations in a wide strip roughly from the mouth of the St. Lawrence to Mexico Bay.
This is the legislature, led by Ken Blankenbush's public salivation over a 20-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement, that bent over backwards (some would say they bent the other way) to get the Galloo Island Wind Farm on the way to reality.
A dose of raw hypocrisy
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2010
For raw, undisguised political pandering, you're going to have to search for awhile before you can top the Jefferson County Legislature, which will consider a resolution at its next meeting to oppose the New York Power Authority's proposal to seek wind developers for offshore locations in a wide strip roughly from the mouth of the St. Lawrence to Mexico Bay.
This is the legislature, led by Ken Blankenbush's public salivation over a 20-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement, that bent over backwards (some would say they bent the other way) to get the Galloo Island Wind Farm on the way to reality.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Hammond ~ Company presents wind farm plan
Company presents wind farm plan
TALLER THAN MAPLE RIDGE: Iberdrola wants to construct 75 turbines in Hammond; waiting on town input
By JIMMY LAWTON
JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2010
HAMMOND — Iberdrola Renewables Inc., Lowville, announced plans for 75, 330-foot windmills, with the majority of them slated for construction in the town of Hammond.
According to representatives from Iberdrola at a recent Town Council meeting, plans call for the installation of 75 towers that are approximately 66 feet taller than the windmills at Maple Ridge Wind Farm in Lewis County.
TALLER THAN MAPLE RIDGE: Iberdrola wants to construct 75 turbines in Hammond; waiting on town input
By JIMMY LAWTON
JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2010
HAMMOND — Iberdrola Renewables Inc., Lowville, announced plans for 75, 330-foot windmills, with the majority of them slated for construction in the town of Hammond.
According to representatives from Iberdrola at a recent Town Council meeting, plans call for the installation of 75 towers that are approximately 66 feet taller than the windmills at Maple Ridge Wind Farm in Lewis County.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Windmills stir up a storm in Cape Vincent | syracuse.com
Windmills stir up a storm in Cape Vincent | syracuse.com
Marie morelli
The Post standard
Cape Vincent, NY -- Across the St. Lawrence River from Cape Vincent, 86 windmills — each more than 400 feet high from base to blade tip — tower over Canada’s Wolfe Island.
They’ve been there less than a year, a preview of what could be in store for Cape Vincent if two proposed wind farms, totaling more than 100 turbines, are built
Just as surely as the river divides the U.S. from Canada, the windmill plans have divided Cape Vincent.
On one side: supporters who see the windmills as a source of income for struggling farmers, tax revenue for the town and county, and jobs, however temporary, in a community whose economy is dependent on summer tourism and a state prison.
Marie morelli
The Post standard
Cape Vincent, NY -- Across the St. Lawrence River from Cape Vincent, 86 windmills — each more than 400 feet high from base to blade tip — tower over Canada’s Wolfe Island.
They’ve been there less than a year, a preview of what could be in store for Cape Vincent if two proposed wind farms, totaling more than 100 turbines, are built
Just as surely as the river divides the U.S. from Canada, the windmill plans have divided Cape Vincent.
On one side: supporters who see the windmills as a source of income for struggling farmers, tax revenue for the town and county, and jobs, however temporary, in a community whose economy is dependent on summer tourism and a state prison.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
TI SUN ARTICLE ~ MASON & MASON refuse to sign letter asking opinion on wind farm-related conflicts
Below is an article from the Thousand islands Sun . In this article, two conflicted board members Mason & Mason , explain the logic behind their refusal to sign the letter to attorney general Andrew Cuomo, from the Town of Cape Vincent, asking for an opinion , on wind farm-related conflicts of interest in the town.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Agreement reached on Cape Wind Ordinance
Watertown Daily Times Agreement reached on Cape wind ordinance
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — Town officials reached an agreement on sound and setback requirements in a potential wind power zoning ordinance during a workshop on Saturday.
A compromise between existing language and more restrictive setbacks left the requirements for turbines that they be placed no closer than 2,500 feet south of Route 12E between the village and Clayton, and east from County Route 6; and no closer than 3,000 feet from the village boundaries.
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — Town officials reached an agreement on sound and setback requirements in a potential wind power zoning ordinance during a workshop on Saturday.
A compromise between existing language and more restrictive setbacks left the requirements for turbines that they be placed no closer than 2,500 feet south of Route 12E between the village and Clayton, and east from County Route 6; and no closer than 3,000 feet from the village boundaries.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Henderson suing over Galloo OK
Watertown Daily Times | Henderson suing over Galloo OK
HOUNSFIELD TARGETED: Council says site approval lacks environmental, public notice requirements
By BRIAN KELLY
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2010
The town of Henderson is asking a judge to annul the town of Hounsfield Planning Board's site plan approval for the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm.
The Henderson Town Council filed a state Supreme Court Article 78 proceeding Friday at the Jefferson County clerk's office against Hounsfield, the project's developer, Upstate NY Power Corp., Seneca, and the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
HOUNSFIELD TARGETED: Council says site approval lacks environmental, public notice requirements
By BRIAN KELLY
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2010
The town of Henderson is asking a judge to annul the town of Hounsfield Planning Board's site plan approval for the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm.
The Henderson Town Council filed a state Supreme Court Article 78 proceeding Friday at the Jefferson County clerk's office against Hounsfield, the project's developer, Upstate NY Power Corp., Seneca, and the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Friday, February 5, 2010
JCIDA gives nod to Galloo wind PILOT
JCIDA gives nod to Galloo wind PILOT
4-2 VOTE: Deal accompanies sales tax exemption, sale-leaseback
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2010
The final approval for a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm came Thursday morning in a 4-2 vote by the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency board of directors.
The resolution was supported by board Vice Chairman David J. Converse, Treasurer Michelle D. Pfaff, Secretary Kent D. Burto and W. Edward Walldroff. Chairman Urban C. Hirschey and John Doldo Jr. voted against it. William H. Fulkerson was absent.
4-2 VOTE: Deal accompanies sales tax exemption, sale-leaseback
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2010
The final approval for a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm came Thursday morning in a 4-2 vote by the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency board of directors.
The resolution was supported by board Vice Chairman David J. Converse, Treasurer Michelle D. Pfaff, Secretary Kent D. Burto and W. Edward Walldroff. Chairman Urban C. Hirschey and John Doldo Jr. voted against it. William H. Fulkerson was absent.
Voters For Wind & Their Corporate Sponsor
The green shirts and how this grassroots citizen’s organization began.
I found a testimonial letter written by Dawn Munk the president of the green shirts (Voters for Wind). This letter describes a relationship between their organization and Geos Global.
About Geos Global Green Energy outreach services “Geos Global “is a Saratoga Springs – based public relations firm specializing in outreach and communications services to the top–tier companies within the clean energy sector. Geos provides select clients with customized approaches for ensuring successful outcomes based upon decades of experience in environmental organizing and energy communications. Geos builds trust through early education and development of community partnerships. We firmly believe an invested public leads to long–term project success.
Steve Sullivan is a Wind facilitator, according to an article in the Watertown times dated Friday, September 26, 2008, written by Nancy Madsen. There was a meeting at TI Central focusing on issues of turbines, the electric grid, setbacks and noise. She reported that one of the guest speakers was Steven C. Sullivan, managing director of Geos Global and consultant to BP Alternative energy.
BP Alternative Energy is one of the top-tier companies that Geos Global serves in the clean energy sector. In their mission statement Geos Global states that they build trust through early education and development of community partnerships using customized approaches. These statements that Geos Global builds trust through early education and community partnerships sound good don’t they? However, what does this really mean? What service is BP buying when they hire Steven C. Sullivan and Geos Global? Geos Global states that they work for top -tier companies meaning the largest alternative energy companies. These services must be expensive. What kind of partnerships do they develop? They develop grass roots citizens organizations, whose mission it is to support the development of a wind farm in the towns of Cape Vincent and Lyme. I know this because I have a testimonial letter written by the president of voters for wind that tells me this. This letter says that Marion Trieste, managing director of Geo’s Global, helped their small group develop their mission statement, elect officers develop bylaws, and begin the task of reaching out to others. This letter continues on to say that the staff of Geos Global is with us every step of the way, providing us with information suggestions and technical and moral support. They have assisted us in planning and organizing community events, fund raising events and have assisted us in learning how to utilize the media to spread our message. Staff members from Geos Global attend our monthly meetings. This letter ends:
“On a personal level, I am grateful to Maz and all of the staff at GEOS who have encouraged me and introduced me to grassroots organization, where a committed group of diverse individuals really can come together and make a difference. A voter for wind is like a family and GEOS is very definitely part of our family.
Sincerely,
Dawn M.Munk “
My whole point to all this is, the next time you see those ever present clusters of green shirts, you need to focus on what this represents. You must ask yourself; do these people represent citizens from a grassroots organization in the community? Who are these people? It has been documented that BP uses Geos Global‘s services and we have the testimonial letter from the president of voters for wind thanking Geos Global for “introducing her to grass roots organization” I think it would be safe to conclude that BP is behind GEOS GLOBALS interest in voters for wind.
Back to my point, when a green shirt representative speaks at a legislative meeting or anywhere else for that matter, is someone from a grassroots organization speaking, or is a wind puppet for BP alternative Energy speaking? When there is a DEIS, Or FEIS public hearing, and a green shirt representative stands to speak is someone from a grassroots organization speaking or is a wind puppet for BP alternative Energy speaking? If the wind committee meets and someone from voters for wind is on this committee, who are they representing?
So the next time you attend that grass roots citizens organization‘s pancake fund raiser you might want to ask yourself Is a pancake just a pan cake? Can we really have our cake and eat it too…
Below is a copy of Dawn Munk’s testimonial letter and copy of a letter written to Marion Trieste of Geos Global. This letter is from another community where BP Alternative energy wants to develop industrial wind. This is a thank you for Ms. Trieste’s support and BP’s $ 2,000 sponsorship for a community festival.
Dawn Munk's Testimonial letter written to Geos Global
The green shirts and how this grassroots citizen’s organization began.
I found a testimonial letter written by Dawn Munk the president of the green shirts (Voters for Wind). This letter describes a relationship between their organization and Geos Global.
About Geos Global Green Energy outreach services “Geos Global “is a Saratoga Springs – based public relations firm specializing in outreach and communications services to the top–tier companies within the clean energy sector. Geos provides select clients with customized approaches for ensuring successful outcomes based upon decades of experience in environmental organizing and energy communications. Geos builds trust through early education and development of community partnerships. We firmly believe an invested public leads to long–term project success.
Steve Sullivan is a Wind facilitator, according to an article in the Watertown times dated Friday, September 26, 2008, written by Nancy Madsen. There was a meeting at TI Central focusing on issues of turbines, the electric grid, setbacks and noise. She reported that one of the guest speakers was Steven C. Sullivan, managing director of Geos Global and consultant to BP Alternative energy.
BP Alternative Energy is one of the top-tier companies that Geos Global serves in the clean energy sector. In their mission statement Geos Global states that they build trust through early education and development of community partnerships using customized approaches. These statements that Geos Global builds trust through early education and community partnerships sound good don’t they? However, what does this really mean? What service is BP buying when they hire Steven C. Sullivan and Geos Global? Geos Global states that they work for top -tier companies meaning the largest alternative energy companies. These services must be expensive. What kind of partnerships do they develop? They develop grass roots citizens organizations, whose mission it is to support the development of a wind farm in the towns of Cape Vincent and Lyme. I know this because I have a testimonial letter written by the president of voters for wind that tells me this. This letter says that Marion Trieste, managing director of Geo’s Global, helped their small group develop their mission statement, elect officers develop bylaws, and begin the task of reaching out to others. This letter continues on to say that the staff of Geos Global is with us every step of the way, providing us with information suggestions and technical and moral support. They have assisted us in planning and organizing community events, fund raising events and have assisted us in learning how to utilize the media to spread our message. Staff members from Geos Global attend our monthly meetings. This letter ends:
“On a personal level, I am grateful to Maz and all of the staff at GEOS who have encouraged me and introduced me to grassroots organization, where a committed group of diverse individuals really can come together and make a difference. A voter for wind is like a family and GEOS is very definitely part of our family.
Sincerely,
Dawn M.Munk “
My whole point to all this is, the next time you see those ever present clusters of green shirts, you need to focus on what this represents. You must ask yourself; do these people represent citizens from a grassroots organization in the community? Who are these people? It has been documented that BP uses Geos Global‘s services and we have the testimonial letter from the president of voters for wind thanking Geos Global for “introducing her to grass roots organization” I think it would be safe to conclude that BP is behind GEOS GLOBALS interest in voters for wind.
Back to my point, when a green shirt representative speaks at a legislative meeting or anywhere else for that matter, is someone from a grassroots organization speaking, or is a wind puppet for BP alternative Energy speaking? When there is a DEIS, Or FEIS public hearing, and a green shirt representative stands to speak is someone from a grassroots organization speaking or is a wind puppet for BP alternative Energy speaking? If the wind committee meets and someone from voters for wind is on this committee, who are they representing?
So the next time you attend that grass roots citizens organization‘s pancake fund raiser you might want to ask yourself Is a pancake just a pan cake? Can we really have our cake and eat it too…
Below is a copy of Dawn Munk’s testimonial letter and copy of a letter written to Marion Trieste of Geos Global. This letter is from another community where BP Alternative energy wants to develop industrial wind. This is a thank you for Ms. Trieste’s support and BP’s $ 2,000 sponsorship for a community festival.
Dawn Munk's Testimonial letter written to Geos Global
The green shirts and how this grassroots citizen’s organization began.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Galloo~Wind PILOT Approval doesn't answer questions
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2010
The irresponsible decision by the Jefferson County Legislature approving a tax abatement plan for the Galloo Island Wind Farm leaves unresolved several issues that will bedevil the county for years to come.
A last-minute offer of another $3.5 million in community benefits by Upstate NY Power Corp. sweetened the deal sufficiently to win the eight votes needed for county approval of a 20-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes plan for the project. But that does not end the dispute.
Continue...
The irresponsible decision by the Jefferson County Legislature approving a tax abatement plan for the Galloo Island Wind Farm leaves unresolved several issues that will bedevil the county for years to come.
A last-minute offer of another $3.5 million in community benefits by Upstate NY Power Corp. sweetened the deal sufficiently to win the eight votes needed for county approval of a 20-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes plan for the project. But that does not end the dispute.
Continue...
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Galloo Wind Farm PILOT approved
By Nancy Madsen Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
Publication: Watertown Daily Times (New York)
Date: Wednesday, February 3 2010
Feb. 3--The proposed payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for Galloo Island Wind Farm passed the Jefferson County Board of Legislators on an 8-7 vote Tuesday night.
The final vote on the PILOT will come Thursday morning from the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency board of directors. After that, the developer will be free to seek financing for the project with a guaranteed reduced amount for property taxes.
continue...
Publication: Watertown Daily Times (New York)
Date: Wednesday, February 3 2010
Feb. 3--The proposed payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for Galloo Island Wind Farm passed the Jefferson County Board of Legislators on an 8-7 vote Tuesday night.
The final vote on the PILOT will come Thursday morning from the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency board of directors. After that, the developer will be free to seek financing for the project with a guaranteed reduced amount for property taxes.
continue...
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Supervisor Urban Hirschey asks Attorney general for opinion on wind farm related conflicts ~
Below is the letter from Town Of Cape Vincent Supervisor Urban Hirschey
to State Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo , asking for an opinion , on wind farm-related conflicts of interest in the town
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