Tuesday, September 28, 2010
CEO of firm invested in Maple Ridge wary about winds of political change
Watertown Daily Times CEO of firm invested in Maple Ridge wary about winds of political change
CEO of firm invested in Maple Ridge wary about winds of political change
SPANISH UTILITY: Iberdrola chief says new projects need certainty on U.S. aid
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2010
BOSTON — Spanish power utility Iberdrola SA is investing $10 billion in wind power and energy-related projects across the U.S. over the next few years, but political and regulatory uncertainties could stall future investments, the company's chairman and chief executive officer said Tuesday.
Ignacio Galan, who is in New England for the groundbreaking of a major power grid upgrade in Maine, said wind energy projects have created thousands of jobs in the U.S., and renewable-energy companies will continue making long-term investments if they get stability from regulators.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
City Council irked at PILOT policy
City Council irked at PILOT policy
JCIDA MAKES CHANGES: Lawmakers fear they'll lose tax money without having any say in agreements
By ROBERT BRAUCHLE
& NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITERS
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2010
The Watertown City Council is burning after learning the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency is tinkering with its tax-exemption policy.
The policy, which governs payment-in-lieu-of-tax agreements, creates tax breaks for new or expanding manufacturing, renewable energy and certain retail businesses. Under the policy proposal, property tax breaks can reach up to 20 years, extended from 15, and usually have a flat or increasing amount of payments to the taxing jurisdictions instead of full-rate property tax payments.
JCIDA MAKES CHANGES: Lawmakers fear they'll lose tax money without having any say in agreements
By ROBERT BRAUCHLE
& NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITERS
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2010
The Watertown City Council is burning after learning the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency is tinkering with its tax-exemption policy.
The policy, which governs payment-in-lieu-of-tax agreements, creates tax breaks for new or expanding manufacturing, renewable energy and certain retail businesses. Under the policy proposal, property tax breaks can reach up to 20 years, extended from 15, and usually have a flat or increasing amount of payments to the taxing jurisdictions instead of full-rate property tax payments.
JCIDA lifts moratorium on wind plans
JCIDA lifts moratorium on wind plans
'EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF WORK': Agency will keep preparing uniform tax-exempt policy at the same time
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2010
Even as the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency prepares for a public hearing on a proposed new uniform tax-exempt policy, the agency again will accept applications for tax breaks from wind power developers.
The agency's board, meeting Thursday morning, agreed to lift its moratorium on applications from developers.
'EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF WORK': Agency will keep preparing uniform tax-exempt policy at the same time
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2010
Even as the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency prepares for a public hearing on a proposed new uniform tax-exempt policy, the agency again will accept applications for tax breaks from wind power developers.
The agency's board, meeting Thursday morning, agreed to lift its moratorium on applications from developers.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Hammond Wind Panel striving to finish its work
Panel striving to finish its work
WIND COMMITTEE: Hammond group schedules meetings, plans visits to projects
By MATT MCALLISTER
JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2010
HAMMOND — With the clock ticking and eight meetings slated between now and the end of December, the town Wind Committee has set up a schedule to finish its recommendations on the wind ordinance.
Meeting last week, the committee established meeting dates of Mondays, Oct. 4 and 18, Nov. 1, 15 and 29 and Dec. 6 and 20 to complete its task. All meetings are at 7 p.m. at the village hall.
WIND COMMITTEE: Hammond group schedules meetings, plans visits to projects
By MATT MCALLISTER
JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2010
HAMMOND — With the clock ticking and eight meetings slated between now and the end of December, the town Wind Committee has set up a schedule to finish its recommendations on the wind ordinance.
Meeting last week, the committee established meeting dates of Mondays, Oct. 4 and 18, Nov. 1, 15 and 29 and Dec. 6 and 20 to complete its task. All meetings are at 7 p.m. at the village hall.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
'Circus' ad slights the good in Cape Letter
Watertown Daily Times 'Circus' ad slights the good in Cape
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010
How many people read the advertisement in the Watertown Daily Times that invited the citizens of Cape Vincent to the circus being held at the town of Cape Vincent Recreation Park depicting Planning Board Chairman Richard Edsall as the ringmaster and making his board members jump through his hoops? How low can you go? Is this supposed to help Cape Vincent?
It would be my suggestion that the people who want to place advertisements do it in a constructive way. They should have invited the people to attend the chamber of commerce dinner that was being held the same evening. The local Lions Club was recognized for its achievements and dedication to the people of Cape Vincent. Kristi Kennedy was named Person of the Year for her efforts in writing grants that have and will continue to have great impact on the beauty of the village of Cape Vincent.
That is what good people do.
The acceptance of this advertisement in the Times certainly doesn't add any stature to the paper.
James L. Wiley
Cape Vincent
The add in Question~
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010
How many people read the advertisement in the Watertown Daily Times that invited the citizens of Cape Vincent to the circus being held at the town of Cape Vincent Recreation Park depicting Planning Board Chairman Richard Edsall as the ringmaster and making his board members jump through his hoops? How low can you go? Is this supposed to help Cape Vincent?
It would be my suggestion that the people who want to place advertisements do it in a constructive way. They should have invited the people to attend the chamber of commerce dinner that was being held the same evening. The local Lions Club was recognized for its achievements and dedication to the people of Cape Vincent. Kristi Kennedy was named Person of the Year for her efforts in writing grants that have and will continue to have great impact on the beauty of the village of Cape Vincent.
That is what good people do.
The acceptance of this advertisement in the Times certainly doesn't add any stature to the paper.
James L. Wiley
Cape Vincent
The add in Question~
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Hammond ~ Iberdrola lists wind conflicts
Iberdrola lists wind conflicts
ETHICS DISCLOSURE: In Hammond, Town Councilman Pitcher has lease agreement, doesn't vote on topic
By STEVE VIRKLER
TIMES STAFF WRITER
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
While several past and current government officials are receiving lease payments — some in excess of $1 million — from the Maple Ridge Wind Farm, the most recent disclosure by Iberdrola Renewables Inc. indicates that only one of its ongoing north country wind projects — Stone Church in Hammond — includes a direct potential conflict.
According to a disclosure filed by the wind company last month, Hammond Town Councilman James C. Pitcher has a lease agreement that could be worth $60,000 to $100,000. He has recused himself from recent wind votes.
ON THE NET
Iberdrola Renewables Inc. dis
closure: www.iberdrolarenew
ables.us/nydisclosure
ETHICS DISCLOSURE: In Hammond, Town Councilman Pitcher has lease agreement, doesn't vote on topic
By STEVE VIRKLER
TIMES STAFF WRITER
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
While several past and current government officials are receiving lease payments — some in excess of $1 million — from the Maple Ridge Wind Farm, the most recent disclosure by Iberdrola Renewables Inc. indicates that only one of its ongoing north country wind projects — Stone Church in Hammond — includes a direct potential conflict.
According to a disclosure filed by the wind company last month, Hammond Town Councilman James C. Pitcher has a lease agreement that could be worth $60,000 to $100,000. He has recused himself from recent wind votes.
ON THE NET
Iberdrola Renewables Inc. dis
closure: www.iberdrolarenew
ables.us/nydisclosure
Monday, September 20, 2010
'MET' TOWER GOES UP IN CAPE
Watertown Daily Times 'MET' TOWER GOES UP IN CAPE
WIND DATA: Tower takes step toward community project
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — A new meteorological tower put up here last week will share real-time wind-speed data online.
St. Lawrence River Public Power Association, which is behind an effort for a community-owned wind-power project, put the tower up in a field on founder Hester M. Chase's farm, on Bedford Corners Road.
"We need the community to actively talk about how large a project it wants, where it wants a project and how it wants the revenue to come back to the community," said Loren W. Pruskowski, vice president of Sustainable Energy Development, which helps community wind projects. "We're attempting to build that cooperation."
ON THE NET
Black River-St. Lawrence Resource Conservation and Development Council: ww.brslrcd.org
WIND DATA: Tower takes step toward community project
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — A new meteorological tower put up here last week will share real-time wind-speed data online.
St. Lawrence River Public Power Association, which is behind an effort for a community-owned wind-power project, put the tower up in a field on founder Hester M. Chase's farm, on Bedford Corners Road.
"We need the community to actively talk about how large a project it wants, where it wants a project and how it wants the revenue to come back to the community," said Loren W. Pruskowski, vice president of Sustainable Energy Development, which helps community wind projects. "We're attempting to build that cooperation."
ON THE NET
Black River-St. Lawrence Resource Conservation and Development Council: ww.brslrcd.org
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Newspaper Ad Angers Cape Vincent Planning Board Members
Ad Angers Cape Vincent Planning Board Members
by Timothy W. Scee II
Special to Newzjunky.com
Published September 16, 2010
CAPE VINCENT, N.Y. — At a Cape Vincent Planning Board meeting Wednesday, referred to as both a “freak show” and “circus,” in a paid advertisement found on page B6 in Wednesday’s edition of the Watertown Daily Times, board members said the meeting was anything but humorous.
“The purpose of tonight’s meeting,” Richard J. Edsall, the town’s planning board chairman said, “is to go through the final SEQR document and make some kind of determination and it’s the planning board’s turn to find out what they need to do.”
by Timothy W. Scee II
Special to Newzjunky.com
Published September 16, 2010
CAPE VINCENT, N.Y. — At a Cape Vincent Planning Board meeting Wednesday, referred to as both a “freak show” and “circus,” in a paid advertisement found on page B6 in Wednesday’s edition of the Watertown Daily Times, board members said the meeting was anything but humorous.
“The purpose of tonight’s meeting,” Richard J. Edsall, the town’s planning board chairman said, “is to go through the final SEQR document and make some kind of determination and it’s the planning board’s turn to find out what they need to do.”
Circus in Cape
Circus in Cape Vincent
Click title link to view video
By: Amanda Kelley
09/16/2010 06:17 AM
A large crowed gathered in Cape Vincent Wednesday as the town's Planning Board reviewed an environmental impact study on wind development. Our Amanda Kelley tells us more about why this meeting became the talk of the town.
CAPE VINCENT, N.Y. - -Come one, come all to the Cape Vincent Planning Board Meeting.
The regular meeting was packed thanks to this paid political ad in Wednesday's Watertown Daily Times.
Planning Board member Andrew Binsley said, "I was disappointed in the clowns, and noticed that the elephants didn't show up tonight."
The ad stirred up controversy before the meeting even began. Planning Board Chairman Rich Edsall was called a ringmaster, and board members had shots taken at them as well. Edsall declined to comment, but not everyone took the ad to heart.
Wind Power Ethics Chairman John Byrne said, "It did have a humorous tone to it. But I don't think that the people of the board felt that it was humorous."
Members of the board approved the Final Environmental Impact Statement Wednesday, with one member abstaining from voting.
Binsley said, "I haven't had a chance to look at it, I was at the board of elections from eight o'clock this morning. I have not looked at one page of the proposal, so therefore how can I vote on something I haven't even looked at."
Something that angered many in opposition of wind development in Cape Vincent.
Byrne said, "The seeker process said they were supposed to take a hard look. If they haven't read the document, I think it's fair to say they have not taken a hard look."
The meeting didn't allow for public comment, but plenty of opinions circulated throughout the room.
Byrne said, "It's another step that the planning board has taken, to take us down a road that the community is not choosing to go down."
Binsley said, "I don't feel that any of this has been a circus. From the three years that we've been working with this there has not been one day that I feel that any member of this board has been a clown or ignorant or a monkey or whatever they want to have called us."
Circus or not, wind development continues to move forward.
As for the next step in wind development, developers must now to submit their completed site plan to the town board.
Click title link to view video
By: Amanda Kelley
09/16/2010 06:17 AM
A large crowed gathered in Cape Vincent Wednesday as the town's Planning Board reviewed an environmental impact study on wind development. Our Amanda Kelley tells us more about why this meeting became the talk of the town.
CAPE VINCENT, N.Y. - -Come one, come all to the Cape Vincent Planning Board Meeting.
The regular meeting was packed thanks to this paid political ad in Wednesday's Watertown Daily Times.
Planning Board member Andrew Binsley said, "I was disappointed in the clowns, and noticed that the elephants didn't show up tonight."
The ad stirred up controversy before the meeting even began. Planning Board Chairman Rich Edsall was called a ringmaster, and board members had shots taken at them as well. Edsall declined to comment, but not everyone took the ad to heart.
Wind Power Ethics Chairman John Byrne said, "It did have a humorous tone to it. But I don't think that the people of the board felt that it was humorous."
Members of the board approved the Final Environmental Impact Statement Wednesday, with one member abstaining from voting.
Binsley said, "I haven't had a chance to look at it, I was at the board of elections from eight o'clock this morning. I have not looked at one page of the proposal, so therefore how can I vote on something I haven't even looked at."
Something that angered many in opposition of wind development in Cape Vincent.
Byrne said, "The seeker process said they were supposed to take a hard look. If they haven't read the document, I think it's fair to say they have not taken a hard look."
The meeting didn't allow for public comment, but plenty of opinions circulated throughout the room.
Byrne said, "It's another step that the planning board has taken, to take us down a road that the community is not choosing to go down."
Binsley said, "I don't feel that any of this has been a circus. From the three years that we've been working with this there has not been one day that I feel that any member of this board has been a clown or ignorant or a monkey or whatever they want to have called us."
Circus or not, wind development continues to move forward.
As for the next step in wind development, developers must now to submit their completed site plan to the town board.
Watertown Daily Times | Wind farm moves forward
Watertown Daily Times Wind farm moves forward
CLOCK TICKING: Cape Planning Board approves impact statement, awaits complete site plan application
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — St. Lawrence Wind Farm passed a major marker toward completion when the town Planning Boardapproved the final environmental impact statement Wednesday night.
The action, along with the findings to which the board agreed, marks the end of the environmental review process under the State Environmental Quality Review Act.
CLOCK TICKING: Cape Planning Board approves impact statement, awaits complete site plan application
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — St. Lawrence Wind Farm passed a major marker toward completion when the town Planning Boardapproved the final environmental impact statement Wednesday night.
The action, along with the findings to which the board agreed, marks the end of the environmental review process under the State Environmental Quality Review Act.
Watertown Daily Times | Cape clerk resigns abruptly
Watertown Daily Times | Cape clerk resigns abruptly
OFFICIALS SAY LITTLE: Discrepancies found in town's finances
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — Town Clerk Jeri Ann Mason resigned abruptly Tuesday after a partial audit report found discrepancies in the town's finances.
Town Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey would not comment on whether Ms. Mason was accused of taking any town money, but said the case is under investigation by the Jefferson County district attorney's office.
OFFICIALS SAY LITTLE: Discrepancies found in town's finances
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — Town Clerk Jeri Ann Mason resigned abruptly Tuesday after a partial audit report found discrepancies in the town's finances.
Town Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey would not comment on whether Ms. Mason was accused of taking any town money, but said the case is under investigation by the Jefferson County district attorney's office.
Cape clerk resigns abruptly
Cape clerk resigns abruptly
OFFICIALS SAY LITTLE: Discrepancies found in town's finances
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — Town Clerk Jeri Ann Mason resigned abruptly Tuesday after a partial audit report found discrepancies in the town's finances.
Town Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey would not comment on whether Ms. Mason was accused of taking any town money, but said the case is under investigation by the Jefferson County district attorney's office.
OFFICIALS SAY LITTLE: Discrepancies found in town's finances
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — Town Clerk Jeri Ann Mason resigned abruptly Tuesday after a partial audit report found discrepancies in the town's finances.
Town Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey would not comment on whether Ms. Mason was accused of taking any town money, but said the case is under investigation by the Jefferson County district attorney's office.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Transport route diagrams from Acciona's FEIS for the St.Lawrence Wind Project .
App C-5 Transport Route Study Acciona Industrial Wind / FEIS /Cape Vincent New york
Transport route diagrams from Acciona's FEIS for the St.Lawrence wind project .
Click on highlighted titles to view in a larger window.
County Road 9 & McKeever Road
County Road 8 & McKeever Road Nourth Bound
County road 8 & McKeever Road South Bound
County Road 8 & Mason Road
Mason Road & Gosier Road
Mason Road & favret Road
Favret Road & Hell Street North Bound
Favret Road & Hell Street South Bound
Hell Street & Constance Road
Favrte Road & Wilson Road
NY Route 12 E / Deerlick & Favret Roads
Transport route diagrams from Acciona's FEIS for the St.Lawrence wind project .
Click on highlighted titles to view in a larger window.
County Road 9 & McKeever Road
County Road 8 & McKeever Road Nourth Bound
County road 8 & McKeever Road South Bound
County Road 8 & Mason Road
Mason Road & Gosier Road
Mason Road & favret Road
Favret Road & Hell Street North Bound
Favret Road & Hell Street South Bound
Hell Street & Constance Road
Favrte Road & Wilson Road
NY Route 12 E / Deerlick & Favret Roads
Friday, September 10, 2010
Cape defeats wind measure
Cape defeats wind measure
Cape defeats wind measure
MORATORIUM FAILS: Focus set on probe by attorney general
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — Once again, an attempt by Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey to hold up wind power development failed to pass the Town Council.
Mr. Hirschey had proposed a moratorium first at a special meeting Aug. 17, when it failed to pass.
On Thursday night, Mr. Hirschey suggested a moratorium which would last until March 1 or the state Attorney General's office has completed its investigation into potential misconduct by town officials related to wind power development.
Cape defeats wind measure
MORATORIUM FAILS: Focus set on probe by attorney general
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — Once again, an attempt by Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey to hold up wind power development failed to pass the Town Council.
Mr. Hirschey had proposed a moratorium first at a special meeting Aug. 17, when it failed to pass.
On Thursday night, Mr. Hirschey suggested a moratorium which would last until March 1 or the state Attorney General's office has completed its investigation into potential misconduct by town officials related to wind power development.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
JCIDA lifts moratorium on wind plans
Watertown Daily Times JCIDA lifts moratorium on wind plans
'EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF WORK': Agency will keep preparing uniform tax-exempt policy at the same time
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2010
Even as the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency prepares for a public hearing on a proposed new uniform tax-exempt policy, the agency again will accept applications for tax breaks from wind power developers.
The agency's board, meeting Thursday morning, agreed to lift its moratorium on applications from developers.
'EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF WORK': Agency will keep preparing uniform tax-exempt policy at the same time
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2010
Even as the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency prepares for a public hearing on a proposed new uniform tax-exempt policy, the agency again will accept applications for tax breaks from wind power developers.
The agency's board, meeting Thursday morning, agreed to lift its moratorium on applications from developers.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
AG launches investigation into Cape Vincent wind dealings
AG launches investigation into Cape Vincent wind dealings
Posting Date: 09-01-2010
Carol Thompson
The Valley News Online
by Carol Thompson
The state Attorney General’s office has launched an investigation into possible misconduct by Cape Vincent officials for wind turbine farms proposed by Acciona Energia and British Petroleum.
In an Aug, 13 letter, the state ordered all documents from the town council and planning board related to wind development be turned over.
- Valley News
Posting Date: 09-01-2010
Carol Thompson
The Valley News Online
by Carol Thompson
The state Attorney General’s office has launched an investigation into possible misconduct by Cape Vincent officials for wind turbine farms proposed by Acciona Energia and British Petroleum.
In an Aug, 13 letter, the state ordered all documents from the town council and planning board related to wind development be turned over.
- Valley News
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)