Wind power advocate to challenge supervisor

Wind power advocate to challenge supervisor
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2011


CAPE VINCENT — Harvey J. White, an outspoken supporter of wind power development, is set to challenge town Supervisor Urban K. Hirschey in the Cape Vincent Republican primary Sept. 13.

Mr. White said he decided to run after consulting more than 30 fellow Republicans and that he wants to "bring some common sense to the town government."



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Wind power's effects

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PROPERTY VALUES: Company says Cape will suffer 40 percent decrease with 2 miles
NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2011

A Chicago-based appraiser has decided that wind turbines in the town will depress property values of homes within two miles of turbines by up to 40 percent.

McCann Appraisal LLC reviewed the town's wind economics committee's report, outside sources, company research and the noise impact assessment from Hessler Associates Inc., Haymarket, Va., from April 2010 for Acciona Wind Energy USA's St. Lawrence Wind Farm's final environmental impact statement.

"After completing my review of the subject location, it is clear that numerous homes in the Cape Vincent area will be adversely impacted, and the best available evidence indicates that value loss of 25 to 40 percent or more will occur to homes within approximately two miles of the turbines," principal Michael S. McCann wrote. "This impact is not expected to be uniform, and some losses may well be lower and others higher.

POWER PROJECT BILL OK'D

By NANCY MADSEN

TIMES STAFF WRITER

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2011

New rules giving committees in Albany decision-making power on siting power projects at or above 25 megawatts passed overnight Tuesday night in the state Senate and Assembly.

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, and Assemblyman Kenneth D. Blankenbush, R-Black River, voted against the measure in a 117-13 vote. State Sens. Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, and Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, voted against the bill in a 59-3 Senate tally.

Continue reading via this link to the Watertown Daily Times

NNYERS VOTE NO: Law puts decision in Albany's hands

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NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, JUNE 24,

New rules giving committees in Albany decision-making power on siting power projects at or above 25 megawatts passed overnight Tuesday night in the state Senate and Assembly.Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, and Assemblyman Kenneth D. Blankenbush, R-Black River, voted against the measure in a 117-13 vote. State Sens. Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, and Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, voted against the bill in a 59-3 Senate tally.
"While there are many provisions in this law I support, I could not vote for a law that would take control away from local communities," Mrs. Ritchie said in a news release. "The provisions that would allow projects as small as 25 megawatts to avoid local control left me no choice but to vote against this measure."

Lyme ~Wind survey revised

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Note:
The location for the Special Meeting/Work Session for distributing the surveys, which is scheduled to be reconvened at 7pm on Wednesday, June 29, has been moved to the Three Mile Bay Firehall.

TOWN OF LYME: Residents will soon receive questionnaire
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2011

CHAUMONT — Town taxpayers and voters will receive a wind power survey soon that looks like a section of a survey the town conducted in summer 2007.

During a work session on Wednesday night, the Town Council agreed unanimously to send out a one-page, six-question survey that asks similar questions to the original 10-question survey.

The Other Side of The Power Bill

 Link here to continue reading Capital Confidential


by Jimmy Vielkind, Capitol bureau in Energy

Legislation to allow on-bill financing and renew a power plant siting law for New York passed last night — with some dissent.

Assemblywoman Addie Russell, a North Country Democrat (who, ironically, sits next to bill sponsor and Energy Committee chair Kevin Cahill, D-Kingston) was one of 13 members who voted against it. (It passed 117-13 in the Assembly, and 59-3 in the Senate).

The three senators who voted no are Patricia Ritchie, Joe Griffo and Mike Ranzenhofer.

More at Jefferson"s Leaning Left~ State Senator Patty Ritchie voted Nay on Article X. link




Here’s the Assembly’s tally

June 2011

CAPE VINCENT - ELECTION

2011

Unified Position Statement

Urban Hirschey, John Byrne and Clif Schneider have committed to run as Republicansfor positions as Supervisor and Councilmen on Cape Vincent's Town Board. The threecandidates outlined the following issues and actions they collectively will undertake if they are successful in upcoming elections:

1.Open Transparent Government
We believe Cape Vincent is best served by its government when the deliberations andactions of its officials are open, honest and transparent. We support video tapingmeetings and completing annual financial audits. If elected, we will review the Town'sEthics Code and strengthen if necessary. We will then require all elected and appointedofficials to annually review, sign and abide by the Town's Ethics Code.

2. Wind Moratorium
Wind projects currently proposed for Cape Vincent are incompatible with the path for community development outlined in the cooperative Town and Village 2003Comprehensive Plan. If elected, we will institute a moratorium in Cape Vincent to haltany further progress by wind developers. The moratorium will extend for as long asnecessary. Any subsequent amendments to the zoning law pertaining to wind will notonly comply with the town's master plan, but will also provide the fullest protection for thepublic’s health, safety and property value.

3. Cape School
The Cape Elementary School is a small educational gem, the focal point of our community, as well as an important economic resource to our business community. We,as well as school officials, believe the crucial component to maintaining the Cape schoolis promoting enrollment, as well as supporting its teachers and educational program.We support marketing efforts to attract new families, particularly those military familiesexpected to come to Jefferson County in the immediate future.

4.Economic Development
We believe economic progress for a small rural community needs more than just hope -it requires effort. Cape Vincent's town government should play a more active role insupporting economic development efforts by our Chamber of Commerce, LDC and other development initiatives that are compatible with the Comprehensive Plan.

Wind farm siting may fall to Albany

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ARTICLE X: Legislation could be approved today; Russell concerned for autonomy of local governments
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2011

If proposed state legislation is approved today, the siting of wind power projects in the north country will be decided by a committee in Albany, not local planning boards.

State and local wind power proponents have supported Article X in the past, saying that it limits to one year how long the siting approval and permitting process can take. Under local review, projects have lagged for three, four or more years.

New York ~ PSC allowing wind farm to install bigger turbines

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PSC allowing wind farm to install bigger turbines
SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2011

The state Public Service Commission voted Thursday to allow Marble River Wind Farm to install the largest turbines in the state.

The project, in the towns of Clinton and Ellenburg in Clinton County, will install 3-megawatt turbines that reach 492 feet high. The larger model is designed to achieve greater efficiencies of production by using new gearbox and control designs, and by increased height and blade-swept area to maximize generation potential at low and medium wind speed sites.

Chaumont wind committees finish reports; discussion slated June 22

Watertown Daily Times Chaumont wind committees finish reports; discussion slated June 22

Chaumont wind committees finish reports; discussion slated June 22
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2011

CHAUMONT — Lyme's two wind committees have finished their reports, and the Town Council will discuss them June 22.

"We expect it will be a fairly lengthy discussion," Supervisor Scott G. Aubertine said. "We will talk about them, see what the board has to say and decide what to release and when to release them."

Morristown Law would restrict turbine noise

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GETTING READY FOR FUTURE: Morristown proposes legislation to Planning Board

By MATTHEW BULTMAN
JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS
MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

MORRISTOWN — Morristown is one step closer to enacting a law that would outline a strict set of requirements for wind turbine developers, perhaps setting a new standard in the process.

The town's proposed wind energy law, which has a more stringent set of guidelines for proposed turbines than other towns in the area, was presented before the St. Lawrence Planning Board last week. The board recommended approval of the plan pending certain adjustments.

BP considering different turbines for Cape

 Link here to continue reading Watertown Daily Times | BP considering different turbines for Cape
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

CAPE VINCENT — BP Wind Energy's Cape Vincent Wind Farm is evaluating other turbines to use in the wind farm, new project manager Peter A. Gross told the Planning Board.

"The project continues to be attractive to BP," he said during the board's meeting last week. "The fundamentals of the project are still strong."

Law would restrict turbine noise

 Link here to continue reading Watertown Daily Times | Law would restrict turbine noise
GETTING READY FOR FUTURE: Morristown proposes legislation to Planning Board
By MATTHEW BULTMAN
JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS
MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011


MORRISTOWN — Morristown is one step closer to enacting a law that would outline a strict set of requirements for wind turbine developers, perhaps setting a new standard in the process.

The town's proposed wind energy law, which has a more stringent set of guidelines for proposed turbines than other towns in the area, was presented before the St. Lawrence Planning Board last week. The board recommended approval of the plan pending certain adjustments.

Zogby Defends Cape Wind Poll Result

 Link here to continue reading Zogby Defends Cape Wind Poll Result

By NANCY MADSEN
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 2011


CAPE VINCENT - Some town residents are questioning whether all the questions in a poll gauging support for wind energy conducted by IBOPE Zogby International, Utica, were even-handed, but a Zogby representative defended his organization's work.

"We think there is some misinformation put in for the poll," Gary J. King, town resident and member of Voters for Wind, said. "There are five questions that the 28 of us thought were not appropriate. But even still, it proved there are more people for wind than against wind."

Galloo ~Upstate NY Power Corp | Upstate Power Transmission Line

Upstate NY Power Corp | Upstate Power Transmission Line

Hammond~McQueer announces run for Hammond supervisor

 Link here to continue reading Watertown Daily Times McQueer announces run for Hammond supervisor


McQueer announces run for Hammond supervisor
By MATT MCALLISTER
JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS
THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

HAMMOND — Michele W. McQueer says her platform for running for Hammond town supervisor is simple: "I will do the job that he does not want to do."

Citing reasons including "excessive and careless spending" and accusing Ronald W. Bertram, the town's current supervisor, of working for Concerned Residents of Hammond, Mrs. McQueer announced her candidacy via email on Monday.

Hammond ~ Town newsletter draws councilman's ire

 Link here to continue reading Watertown Daily Times Town newsletter draws councilman's ire

Town newsletter draws councilman's ire
HAMMOND 'YEAR IN REVIEW': Langtry says Supervisor Bertram should have brought document to council
By MATT MCALLISTER
JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2011

HAMMOND — The first edition of the town's newsletter, heralded by the town supervisor as an "informative thing," has been criticized by a town councilman as an attempt "to look good and buy votes."

"It would have been nice if he brought it to the Town Council," said Councilman James E. Langtry. Mr. Langtry said he had not been consulted about town Supervisor Ronald W. Bertram's recent release of the spring/