National Grid provides SUNY Canton $750,000 for wind turbine

CANTON — SUNY Canton has received $750,000 from National Grid to help build a large wind turbine on campus. Continue...

Denmark projects already benefiting from proposed wind farm

COPENHAGEN — While the Copenhagen Wind Farm is still in the planning stages, some students and organizations in the town of Denmark already are benefitting from the project. Continue...

Galloo Island Wind Farm developers sued over allegedly unpaid engineering bill

A Buffalo engineering firm that performed work for a proposed wind farm on Galloo Island has filed suit against the project’s developers claiming it has not been fully paid. Continue...

River Agency power proceeds bill could be introduced in January

MASSENA - After three years of negotiation and no action, the St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency’s chief is frustrated over a lack of proposed state legislation that would allow the agency to use the proceeds from the sale of 20 megawatts of hydropower to spur economic development.Continue...

Second suspect charged for alleged windmill shooting

State police charged a second person in connection with the shooting of a wind turbine in the town of Martinsburg. Continue...

Teen charged for allegedly shooting at wind turbine

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2013

MARTINSBURG — State police on Tuesday charged Joshua W. Stocking, 18, of 5398 Rural Ave., Lowville, with second-degree criminal mischief after he allegedly shot and damaged a wind turbine in the town. Continue...

Wind Turbines Wolfe Island Canada

Seasonal resident again in middle of Cape Vincent zoning dispute

CAPE VINCENT — Mary C. Grogan just wants to enjoy weekends at her seasonal residence on County Route 7 near the St. Lawrence River.

But for the second time in five years, she finds herself unwittingly embroiled in a zoning dispute involving neighboring property owned by Roger D. Alexander, operator of Lazy Acres Mobile Home Park. Continue....[Watertown Times]

Shutdown of nuclear plant a wake-up call

William A. Barclay

Pulaski

The writer is the assemblyman for the 120th District.

Entergy Corporation recently announced that it is planning to shut down Yankee nuclear power plant — the only nuclear power plant in Vermont.

This announcement should be of great concern to the central New York community in light of the fact that Oswego County is home to three nuclear plants, one of which, the James A. Fitzpatrick plant, is owned by Entergy.

Continue...[Watertown Times]

Ogdensburg port gets seventh Seaway award

The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority-owned maritime facility on Paterson Street has received its seventh Pacesetter Award for excellence in operations from the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. Associate Director Salvatore L. Pisani, a former OBPA deputy executive director, presented the award at Wednesday’s authority board meeting.

Mr. Pisani noted the port’s mammoth wind turbine shipping project in 2012. The $340 million endeavor saw the St. Lawrence River port used to move 90 turbines, creating 70 jobs and utilizing 11 ships, 210 rail cars and 1,000 trucks,Continue...[Watertown Times]

Rochester firm touts municipal energy independence at Lowville forum

LOWVILLE — A Rochester engineering firm on Tuesday evening brought a sunny message of energy independence to local municipal officials.

“You have the control,” S. Ram Shrivastava, president of Larsen Engineers, told a group of 10 representatives of Lewis County, the town and village of Lowville and the town of Watson gathered at the Lowville fire hall. “You can seize the power.” Continue...[Watertown Times]

Cashing in his chips

TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

As with any dirty but necessary work, somebody’s got to do it.

~~~

And when it comes to extracting energy from an unpleasant material like cow manure, John R. Greenwood has stepped forward — no doubt watching his footing. His herd of about 1,300 mature cows and 1,200 young stock provides him ample opportunity to fine-tune the project he has undertaken.

Mr. Greenwood and his wife, Linda R., run Greenwood Dairy Farm on Route 310 in St. Lawrence County. The Canton farm also hosts an anaerobic digester, which removes methane gas from cow manure.

Continue...[Watertown Times]

Clayton to PSC: BP’s Cape Vincent wind project could negatively affect the river’s scenic vista

CLAYTON — In a recent letter to the state Public Service Commission, the Town Council expressed its concerns “as a stakeholder” in BP’s Cape Vincent wind project.

Officials said in their letter that the proposed project might have “a potential negative impact on the scenic vista from the St. Lawrence River” and asked the PSC to respect municipal home rule. 

Continue...[Watertown Times]

Clarkson opens blade test facility

POTSDAM — When heavy winds and sudden storms hit hard, engineers and customers want to be sure their energy-producing wind turbines can take the hit. That’s where the new Blade Test Facility at Clarkson University comes in.

On Thursday Clarkson unveiled the facility, a partnership between the school, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the Center for Evaluation of Clean Energy Technology.

Continue...[Watertown Times]

Energy, forestry experts express optimism touring biomass plant on Fort Drum

FORT DRUM — During a tour of ReEnergy Holdings LLC’s Black River biomass facility on post Thursday, several industry observers were optimistic about how sites like the plant could benefit local economies across the state.

“There’s a big potential to grow capacity,” said Alice Brumbach, the executive administrator of the New York Biomass Energy Alliance. She said one major benefit was that local job and supply chains are created in areas around biomass facilities. 

Continue...[Watertown Times]

Digester will turn methane into electricity

POTSDAM — St. Lawrence County dairy farmer Jon R. Greenwood is ready to turn on the switch on an anaerobic digester that will take the methane produced by manure from his cows and turn it into electricity..
Continue...[Watertown Times]

SUNY Canton turbine plans power ahead

CANTON - The government-mandated studies have been completed and plans are nearing completion for a wind-powered future at SUNY Canton.

The college has hoped to build an on-campus wind turbine since a feasibility study was completed in 2005, and is on track to break ground next spring.

Continue...[ Watertown Times]

Public invited to study details of wind farm

THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

We thank the Watertown Daily Times for its front-page article on July 17 concerning the positive impact for Jefferson County landowners of the proposed Copenhagen Wind Farm transmission line.

On July 9, in cooperation with the town of Denmark Planning Board, the project developer, OwnEnergy, presented for public review and comment the NYS Draft Environmental Impact Statement. It details the entire project, which engages both Lewis and Jefferson counties. 

Continue...[Wtaertown Times]

Public invited to study details of wind farm

THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

We thank the Watertown Daily Times for its front-page article on July 17 concerning the positive impact for Jefferson County landowners of the proposed Copenhagen Wind Farm transmission line.

On July 9, in cooperation with the town of Denmark Planning Board, the project developer, OwnEnergy, presented for public review and comment the NYS Draft Environmental Impact Statement. It details the entire project, which engages both Lewis and Jefferson counties.[Watertown Times]

River Agency reviews draft proposal for monetizing 20 megwatts

By AMANDA PURCELL

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

LOUISVILLE - Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, presented Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s draft proposal allowing for the sale of proceeds of 20 megawatts of hydropower to the St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency Tuesday.

The six-page draft bill includes details on how the proceeds of the sale of 20 megawatts of power could be spent by a special board appointed by the governor for economic development in the north country. Continue... [Watertown Times]

Wind developer to pay farmers in Rutland, Champion to install power line through land

By TED BOOKER
TIMES STAFF WRITER

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

Thirteen farmers who own land north of Route 12 in the towns of Rutland and Champion have signed contracts with a Brooklyn wind developer, allowing it to build a 10-mile overhead power transmission line through their fields that is needed for the Copenhagen Wind Farm project.

Farmers who signed contracts with the company this year were given $1,000 bonus checks on the spot for signing the easement for the 115-volt power line, which will run west from a substation to be built near the Jefferson-Lewis county line in the village of Copenhagen and connect to a National Grid substation near Burrville. Along with that bonus, the company agreed to pay $8,000 per acre of easement property in areas at which the line passes through tillable farmland. That payoff equates to about $2,000 for every 100 feet of farmland the line spans.

Continue...[Watertown Times]

Boots on the ground

MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013

National Grid’s recent meeting with housing developers in Jefferson County has been proclaimed a success by the power company, which has promised to become involved at an early stage in proposed developments. That could be good news if National Grid devotes enough staff to expediting work with developers who are obligated to provide safe work sites a nd well-engineered plans before National Grid can begin its work.

National Grid provides all developers standard, detailed check lists to ease the way to completion of a project. What National Grid has not been able to do adequately in Jefferson County is to keep up with the demand for new service, especially at some of the larger projects. Continue...[Watertown Times]

Biomass facility at Fort Drum to hold grand opening event on Friday

By GORDON BLOCK
TIMES STAFF WRITER

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

FORT DRUM — A new biomass facility on post will have its grand opening this morning, drawing several regional business and government leaders.

The 60-megawatt generating plant, which will be operated by ReEnergy Holdings LLC, Albany, has been touted as a project that will provide the area surrounding the post with renewable power and lead to more jobs.

[Watertown Times]

NYPA spending millions to improve Energy Highway in Northern New York

MASSENA - The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has announced that the NYPA Board of Trustees has authorized $31 million in funding to help upgrade NYPA’s transmission system in Central and Northern New York.

The May 21 trustees’ action stems from the recommendation in Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s New York Energy Highway Blueprint for accelerating construction and repair of the state’s aging transmission infrastructure. The funding includes $19.6 million and $11.7 million for refurbishment of transmission system equipment at NYPA’s Frederick R. Clark Energy Center in Marcy and Massena Substation in Massena, respectively.[Watertown Times]

Lowville officials considering minor changes to digester, solar laws

LOWVILLE — Lowville town councilmen plan to digest a few comments before adopting laws regulating manure digesters and solar energy systems.[Watertown Times]

Congressman ~ Bill Owens Writes to the PSC expressing his opposition to BP Wind Energy's initiation of an A10 Process

May 7 2013

New York State Public Service Commission

Empire state Plaza

Agency Building 3

Albany, NY 12223

Dear Mr. Brown,

I am writing to express opposition to BP wind energy's initiation of an article 10 process for their Cape Vincent wind project, and to urge the New York State Public service commission (NYSPSC) to respect the  local communities decision-making process concerning future energy development and infrastructure.

As you know the initiation of the article 10 process in the town of Cape Vincent has caused great concern among many of my constituents. Not only does it allow the state to supersede local community zoning regulations when it comes to the siting of wind power projects, but it also tramples the right of citizens to make their own determination on the best interest of the community.

While article 10 of the power New York act attempts to streamline New York's decision-making process with respect to the construction and operation of new, modified, and re-power generating facilities, it fails to properly do so in coordination with local leaders and communities. This lack of consideration is evidenced in BP's preliminary scoping statement, as it failed to meet several state requirements, use the half-century old map ports turbine site plan, and responded to many of the local comments and questions by simply stating they would be addressed in the permit application.

I believe New York has tremendous potential to attract new jobs and businesses with clean, low-cost power, and I gladly support such efforts, however reference in the siting process should be given to the local community. As we move forward, I urge the NYSPSC to allow the citizens who hold an intimate stake in the region to have a significant role in deciding which future energy source best serves the interest of their community.

Very truly yours,

Bill Owens

Member of Congress

Voters for Wind accused of receiving money from BP

CAPE VINCENT — Voters for Wind has been accused of receiving financial assistance from BP Wind Energy by an attorney representing Cape Vincent’s town government. Continue...

Seaway gives city port award for increased cargo in 2012

By BRIAN KIDWELL

THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2013

Business was good at the Port of Ogdensburg in 2012; just ask the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.

Steel, iron ore, salt, wind energy components, grain, aluminum and other commodities passed through the Seaway ports last year in greater numbers than in 2011.

Wind energy components were at the center of the Ogdensburg port’s busy year.[Watertown Times]

Indian River may build new elementary school, solar field

By REENA SINGH
TIMES STAFF WRITER

MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013

PHILADELPHIA — Indian River Central School District may have several years’ worth of projects ahead.

At the Board of Education meeting Thursday, Business Manager James R. Koch said that in addition to the solar and wind projects being considered, the district may have to build another primary school or add up to 12 classrooms to an existing school to prepare for a possible surge in enrollment in the next two years.

[Watertown Times]

SUNY Canton shows turbine plans to public

By JACOB TIERNEY

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

CANTON — Construction on a wind turbine at SUNY Canton may be underway by this time next year.
The college held its first public informational meeting about the project Tuesday, to provide updates on the project that has been discussed since 2005 and is now close to becoming a reality.

[Watertown Times]

Going Green: free state-funded audits reap farmers savings on cutting-edge equipment

By TED BOOKER
TIMES STAFF WRITER

TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2013

Because they’re busy with daily chores, farmers often can’t find time to research the latest energy-efficient technology on the market.

Now, they have access to someone who has done that work for them. Community energy auditor Gerald K. Loch visits farms in the north country to slash energy costs. The expert from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County has started conducting free energy audits at farms this spring, thanks to $6.2 million in state funding awarded this year to the Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Along with providing farms free audits, the program funds up to 75 percent of energy-efficient equipment for which farmers qualify. Up to $250,000 can be awarded per farm.[Watertown Times]

Ogdensburg’s yard waste will become renewable energy

By BRIAN KIDWELL
JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS

TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2013

OGDENSBURG — The city’s broken tree limbs and branches and shrubbery no longer will be piled up and buried in the former municipal landfill on outer Champlain Street.

Instead, an Albany-area renewable energy company will haul the public works-collected yard waste at no charge to its newly acquired cogeneration plant, where it will be converted to wood chips.[Watertown Times]

Wind energy pits neighbor against neighbor

MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013
What is happening to our country? Is it the whole country, or just in this area? When I was growing up here, people had respect for their neighbors and other people. They helped their neighbors in whatever way they could. Nowadays, people are squealing on their neighbors and hoping to get them in trouble by splashing it all over the Internet and in the newspapers. This is mean and vindictive. People seem to be thinking only of themselves and how they can get someone in trouble.[Watertown Times]

SUNY Canton sets wind turbine discussion

MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

CANTON — SUNY Canton will host the first of three public information sessions on a proposed wind turbine on campus at 6 p.m. April 16 in the Richard W. Miller Campus Center’s intramural gym.

The college, in consultation with the New York Power Authority and Sustainable Energy Developments, is considering construction of a wind turbine that would provide electricity on campus along with support for academic programming, including alternative and renewable energy systems and electrical engineering technology.[Watertown Times]

JCC wants to be “carbon neutral”

By REENA SINGH
TIMES STAFF WRITER

SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2013

Jefferson Community College is making a long-term commitment to the environment: becoming carbon neutral within 86 years.

Director of Facilities Bruce Alexander has measured five years’ worth of JCC’s carbon emissions to try to comply with the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, which was signed several years ago.[Watertown Times]

Deception in Clayton on Iberdola project

SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2013

Many of us have closely followed the nearly decade-long history of proposed wind development in the Thousand Islands region and hated what we have seen.

People on the lakeshore with views of the Galloos and residents of Lyme, Cape Vincent and Hammond have been put through hell trying to beat back ill-conceived wind projects in their towns.[Watertown Times]

Electric-vehicle charging station planned at Tops in Seaway Plaza

By TED BOOKER TIMES STAFF WRITER THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2013 The Tops grocery store in the Seaway Plaza off Route 11 will offer an electric-vehicle charging station in a project with National Grid that received approval Wednesday by the Pamelia Planning Board.[Watertown Times]

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!! BP puts U.S. wind farm arm up for sale

LONDON (Reuters) - BP has put its U.S. wind farm operation, one of the largest in the country, up for sale, marking the continued retreat of big oil companies from renewable energy investments while oil and gas projects offer them better returns.

The British oil company has already sold or earmarked for sale some $38 billion worth of assets, partly to raise funds to pay for its 2010 U.S. oil spill liabilities, but also to reposition itself as a smaller, leaner company with an emphasis on high-margin oil production and exploration. Reports said the sale could raise a further $1.5 billion.[Reuters]

BP Wind Energy will hold a public workshop

THREE MILE BAY — BP Wind Energy will hold a public workshop to explain the preliminary scoping statement process for the Cape Vincent Wind Farm at 6 p.m. April 9 at the Three Mile Bay Fire Hall on Route 12E.

Fort Drum biomass RFP delayed until April 12

MONDAY, APRIL 1, 2013
FORT DRUM — The deadline for submissions to an Army request for proposals on supplying the post with electricity from a biomass facility was extended until April 12.[Watertown Times]

BP files preliminary scoping statement for Cape wind farm

By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER

SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2013

CAPE VINCENT — The preliminary scoping statement for the proposed Cape Vincent Wind Farm was filed Friday, triggering a three-month countdown to BP Wind Energy’s anticipated application to the state siting board.

Under the state’s Article X siting process, BP can submit an application for a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need for its 124-turbine wind project 90 days after filing the PSS.[Watertown Times]

BP Wind Energy intends to file Cape Vincent statement

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2013

CAPE VINCENT — In a letter to state and local representatives, BP Wind Energy gave notice it will file its preliminary scoping statement Friday for the proposed Cape Vincent Wind Farm.

The wind developer plans to spend more than $300 million to place 124 turbines in the town of Cape Vincent to generate up to 285 megawatts of electricity.[Watertown Times]

Massena Mayor: NYPA contributions are ‘lopsided’

By TIM FENSTER

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

MASSENA - Mayor James F. Hidy has written to state power authority officials in an effort to seek what he calls an equitable contribution to communities impacted by the presence of the hydro dam.

In an email to Joseph Leary, vice president of government and community relations for the New York Power Authority, Mr. Hidy called the agency’s allocation of contribution funds “lopsided” and the priority it places on compensating local communities “an absolute joke.”[Watertown Times]

Lyme officials to gather public input before voting on “small wind” law in April

By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER

TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2013

CHAUMONT — The Lyme Town Council plans to vote next month on the proposed renewable energy law, which includes zoning restrictions on personal wind turbines.

If the final proposal is adopted as-is at the council’s April meeting, town residents will not be able to install personal turbines taller than 125 feet, including the blades.[Watertown Times]

NYSERDA awards $386,000 for SUNY Potsdam projects

POTSDAM — Two SUNY Potsdam building projects received a little green for being green.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority awarded $386,000 in incentives for two projects that could save the college $130,000 and result in the avoidance of more than 692 tons of annual greenhouse gas emissions.[Watertown Times]

Ogdensburg Planning Board deems solar farms possible in the city

By BRIAN KIDWELL
JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS

FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013

OGDENSBURG — There is, it appears, a place in the city that is zoned to go solar.

The city Planning Board recently gave a positive recommendation for a solar energy farm in the city. The city’s Zoning Board of Appeals, presented last month with an inquiry about the feasibility of such an enterprise in a residential-business zoned section of Ogdensburg, asked the panel for a recommendation.

[WatertownTimes]

City working on Watertown’s methane gas project

By CRAIG FOX
TIMES STAFF WRITER

THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013

City officials are proceeding with plans to overhaul Watertown’s wastewater treatment plant by turning its sludge into methane gas.

In December, the city received a $585,646 grant to decommission the sludge incinerator at its pollution control plant and replace it with an expanded anaerobic digester and microturbine that will produce alternative energy on site.[Watertown Times]

T.I. Central School board mulls multimillion-dollar capital project

District officials also are discussing energy-efficiency upgrades, including the installation of new boilers and solar panels.

By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER

THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013

CLAYTON — Thousand Islands Central School District could ask voters in May to approve a multimillion-dollar capital construction project that addresses security flaws at its three school buildings, among other things.[Watertown Times]

Hammond approves more than $1 million in improvements

Mr. McQueer anticipates its energy bills will rise by about $2,000 this year with its windmill out of commission.

By AMANDA PURCELL

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2013

HAMMOND – Voters in the Hammond Central School District have approved a $1.4 million capital improvement project.

Tuesday’s vote passed with 82 yes votes to 36 against.[Watertown Times]

Watertown Daily Times Editorial ~Solar payoff lacking

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

When the sun shines upon occasion over Northern New York at this time of year, the warmth stirs life in the trees, starts the flow of maple sap, brings animals out of their winter doldrums and reminds the Northern Hemisphere that winter is nearly behind us.

And with the new political interest of freeing our economy from oil, natural gas and coal, the heat of the sun conjures up all sorts of animal spirits. The visions of free electricity, lower energy costs and, of course, lower taxes. [Watertown Times]

Solar energy farm possibilities mulled in Ogdensburg

MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

OGDENSBURG — City zoning and planning officials are considering the feasibility of allowing a solar energy farm in the city.

Meeting Wednesday, the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals discussed an inquiry made to Planning and Development Director Andrea L. Smith about setting up in a residential-business zone a solar farm that would generate energy from the sun through its panels and sell it to National Grid. She declined to identify the source of the proposal.[Watertown Times]

Orleans has the largest solar panel array in the north country

By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER

MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

LAFARGEVILLE — Giant solar panels soon will be powering LaFargeville’s wastewater treatment plant.

Due to go online in May, the 100-kilowatt system is the largest solar panel array in the north country, followed by Fort Drum’s 90-kilowatt photovoltaic system.[Watertown Times]

Natural gas boom New York losing out as other states benefit

SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2013

A report on natural gas exploration in Texas predicts a decades-long boom in U.S. production.

“The most exhaustive study to date of a key natural gas field in Texas, combined with related research under way elsewhere, shows that U.S. shale-rock formations will provide a growing source of moderately priced natural gas through 2040,” the Wall Street Journal reported.[Watertown Times]

Iberdrola begins dismantling wind towers

  In January the Thousand Islands Sun reported that Iberdrola Renewables  notified wind lease holders in Hammond that their wind contracts had been terminated. It was also reported that Iberdrola has plans to cancel 100 projects nation wide.

Now, as of yesterday the first of three met towers erected in Hammond, by Iberdrola Renewables was taken down .

This is great news for the Thousand Islands!

To read more about this story follow the link below to the 
[Watertown Times]

Solar energy farm possibilities mulled in the city

By BRIAN KIDWELL

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013

Ogdensburg zoning and planning officials are considering the code feasibility of allowing a solar energy farm in the city.

Meeting Wednesday, the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals discussed a verbal inquiry made to Planning and Development Director Andrea L. Smith about setting up in a residential-business zone a solar farm that would generate energy and sell it to National Grid. She declined to identify the source of the proposal.[Watertown Times]

Judge recommends dismissal of Galloo Island wind farm connection request

By BRIAN KELLY
TIMES STAFF WRITER

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

Citing a lack of substantive activity on the project, an administrative law judge has recommended the state Public Service Commission dismiss an application by Upstate NY Power Corp. to construct a 50-mile electric transmission line from Galloo Island on Lake Ontario to a point on the mainland.

Judge Kevin J. Casutto said in a decision issued Tuesday that the application “lacks viability at present” and that it has had a “chilling effect” on landowners and their plans for business development in the potentially affected area. [Watertowntimes]

Judge Deals Blow To Galloo Island Wind Farm Project

  Feb 26, 2013 at 3:36 PM EST 

It's another setback for a proposed wind farm on Galloo Island.

Administrative Law Judge Kevin Casutto says there's no public need for a transmission line between the wind farm project and the mainland.[7 fox News]

Link here to read the ruling

St. Lawrence County may engage in energy performance contract

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2013

CANTON — St. Lawrence County is considering an energy performance contract to include improvements in lighting, heating, air conditioning and mechanical systems.

Legislators at a committee meeting Tuesday agreed to let Governmental Services Director Michael J. Cunningham proceed with a request for proposals that could result in the selection of an energy services company.[Watertown Times]

Point Peninsula man wants to erect 140-foot turbine; asks town officials to ease proposed restrictions

By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

THREE MILE BAY — In an effort to make its “small wind law” proposal more reasonable, town officials are considering allowing residents to install personal turbines up to 125 feet tall.

Initially, Lyme planners, who were given the task to draft zoning rules for private turbines, wanted to keep the structures at or below 80 feet.[Watertown times]

Energy-efficiency sessions set in Lowville, Lyons Falls

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

LOWVILLE — Informational sessions on a state program promoting energy efficiency will be held in early March at two Lewis County sites.

EmPower New York, a program sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, will be the topic of the March 1 sessions, sponsored by the Lewis County Office for the Aging.[Watertown Times]

New grants for dairy farmers designed to grow businesses

By SEAN EWART

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

MADRID - Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has proposed increased funding for grants to help dairy farmers expand operations and install alternative energy systems.

The initiative would see a doubling of the incentive money for renewable bio-energy projects from $1 million to $2 million per installation.[Watertown times]

Lewis digester project dead with Kraft

By CHRISTINA SCANLON
JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2013

LOWVILLE — A large-scale manure digester project proposed between Kraft Foods and CH4 Biogas is dead after Kraft Foods accepted ReCharge NY funding for reduced power rates.

CH4 Biogas, however, hopes to revive the project as it pursues a farm to host the digester.[WatertownTimes]

Lyme boards approach decision on wind turbine setbacks, noise limits

By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2013

CHAUMONT — Lyme town officials have agreed tentatively on setbacks and new noise limits for private wind turbines.

Lyme’s Planning Board, which was given the task to draft laws for residential wind, solar and biomass energy development, originally considered a property line setback of 25 times the height of a turbine.

[Watertown Times ]

Contractors discuss Fort Drum renewable energy RFP in Watertown

By GORDON BLOCK
TIMES STAFF WRITER

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2013

A group of assembled contractors and engineers on Thursday was able to get details and ask questions about a request for proposals to supply Fort Drum with millions of dollars in renewable power.

“We do believe we have a good project, and one that will be profitable,” said Erich Kurre, director of the post’s project for the U.S. Army’s Energy Initiatives Task Force.

About 30 people attended the pre-proposal conference held Thursday at the Dulles State Office Building.[Warertown Times]

RFP calls for renewable sources of energy for Fort Drum

By GORDON BLOCK
TIMES STAFF WRITER

SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2013

FORT DRUM — The military is seeking bids for millions of dollars’ worth of renewable electricity to be generated by a biomass facility located on or neighboring the post.

According to the government’s listing, the facility would have generation capacity of 15 to 28 megawatts, with overall annual production of 100 million to 147 million kilowatt-hours. At the maximum price listed in the contract, 5.6 cents per kilowatt-hour, the winning contractor could receive from $5.6 million to $8.23 million in its first year, with the price compounded annually at 4.88 percent for future years. The potential contract would be for a period of either 10 years or up to 25 years. [Watertown Times]

Wolfe Island provides look into the life of wind farms

 Windfarm. When the blades of 86 wind turbines started turning on Wolfe Island three years ago, they did more than generate green energy and alter the rural island's landscape -- they severed some lifelong relationships between those opposed to the turbines and those in support.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jennifer O'Meara 

• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
•  

“It’s a great divide and it’s a chasm that doesn’t close quickly. It’s one of the greatest losses. My husband has been here all his life … People who have been lifelong friends of my husband don’t speak and cross the road if they see you coming. That silly stuff that happens in a small town,” said Gail Kenney, who has lived on Wolfe Island for more than 40 years.

She’s been called a radical, wire-cutter, and NIMBY (not-in-my-backyard) for her anti-turbine stance.

[North Umberland News]

Lowville officials considering ban on commercial manure digesters

By STEVE VIRKLER
TIMES STAFF WRITER

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2013

LOWVILLE — Several months after rejecting a large-scale manure digester project here, town officials are considering a ban on any such projects.

The Town Council voted 5-0 Thursday to send a draft anaerobic digester law to the Lewis County Planning Board for a second review, given that the new version would disallow large digesters from being erected in the town. [Watertown Times]

Wind development

SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

The exit of Spanish wind developer Iberdrola Renewables from the town of Hammond will create a feeling of relief for the majority of residents who have always felt the intrusion of this foreign conglomerate into the affairs of this small rural community was unwelcome. As a group brought together by a common cause over four years ago, the Concerned Residents of Hammond have been guided by their original mission statement concerned with the preservation of public health and safety, property values, economic viability, environmental integrity, and quality of life in our town and surrounding area. We provided factual information and education about all aspects of industrial wind energy installations and the impacts they would have on our community. We were dedicated to seeing that all levels of the governmental processes concerning this type of project were handled in a manner that was ethical, legal, honest, open and fair to all residents of Hammond. The long term objective has remained the same — to promote sustainable growth and future development of our community.

We thank everyone who supported our efforts along the way. We especially want to thank the members of the 2010 Hammond Wind Committee who came together for over a year to educate themselves on wind development and its implications. Their effort to provide the town board with critical information to make informed decisions was invaluable, as the revised law withstood legal challenges and was upheld by the state Supreme Court.

[Watertown Times]

Wind power company not pulling back from Parishville-Hopkinton plans, despite pulling out of Hammond

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Iberdrola Renewables might have retreated from its wind power development in Hammond, but its industrial-scale plan for Parishville and Hopkinton remains in place.

“We continue to study the data and maintain the leases we have signed, and we continue to evaluate the grid interconnection,” said Paul Copleman, spokesman in the Northeast U.S. for the Bilbao, Spain-based company.

“But there won’t be much added activity there this year, at least as of now,” he said.

Iberdrola’s wind turbine electric generation proposal for Parishville and Hopkinton came up after the company reportedly shelved its project in Hammond, citing market conditions and questions about where regulation might be headed.

 [NCNow news]

Cape officials want BP Wind to “get out” of town

By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER

FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

CAPE VINCENT — Town officials got together Thursday afternoon to identify issues that need to be addressed during the state Article X siting process for the proposed Cape Vincent Wind Farm.

Town Councilman Clifford P. Schneider said developer BP Wind Energy, in its correspondence with the town government, talks about its proposed project almost as if a wind farm in Cape Vincent is “inevitable.”

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Iberdrola Renewables nixes wind leases, halting Hammond project

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

HAMMOND — Spanish energy company Iberdrola Renewables is saying “Adios!” to its proposed Stone Church wind project.

The company has withdrawn from its leases with landowners and will remove test towers it has in the town.

 [Watertown Times]

Iberdrola still on the fence about Horse Creek Wind Farm

By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

CLAYTON — The extension of the federal wind production tax credit is “good news” for Iberdrola Renewables, but the Spanish energy giant hasn’t decided whether to move forward with the proposed Horse Creek Wind Farm.

“The PTC’s extension is unquestionably good news for us, the U.S. clean energy sector and the thousands of people working in this field,” Iberdrola spokesman Paul N. Copleman said. “But it is not the only factor affecting our ability to move any individual project forward.” [Watertown Times]

Denmark Planning Board approves wind test tower

By STEVE VIRKLER
TIMES STAFF WRITER

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

DEER RIVER — The Denmark town Planning Board has signed off on a second test tower for the proposed Copenhagen Wind Farm.

Following clarification of the location, board members on Monday voted 6-0 to approve a special use permit for OwnEnergy Inc., Brooklyn, under the auspices of Copenhagen Wind Farm LLC, to install a 197-foot-tall meteorological tower on the south side of Roberts Road on a parcel owned by Gene Bolton, Timothy Sullivan, Harold Sullivan and Bruce Stephenson.

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Ogdensburg short line in the midst of $2.8 million track project

By CHRISTOPHER ROBBINS
TIMES STAFF WRITER

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2013

OGDENSBURG — The New York and Ogdensburg Railway is on the right track — thanks to a rail rehabilitation project that recently halted for the season.

The $2.8 million project is replacing ties, ballast and rail along the 30-mile line between Ogdensburg and Norwood.

More than 200 of those cars carried wind turbine components into the port, which were eventually taken by truck to the Marble River Wind Farm in Churbusco. In July, five 200-ton locomotives were shipped to a Quebec mining firm, a project the railway orchestrated.

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Wind power

SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 2013

Moribund wind power projects in the north country and across the country received a one-year lifeline with $12 billion worth of taxpayer subsidized credits in the just-enacted legislation to avoid the fiscal cliff this week.

Developers managed to not only hold onto their expiring 2.2-cents per kilowatt hour credit but saw it broadened to their advantage and that of other alternative energy producers.

 [ Watertown Times]

Wind turbine project lifted OBPA in 2012, outlook for this year positive

By CHRISTOPHER ROBBINS
TIMES STAFF WRITER

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2013

OGDENSBURG — By most measures, 2012 was a great year for the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority.

Even without considering its marquee project, the transit of 70 wind turbines to the Marble River Wind Farm in Churubusco, the authority enjoyed a number of successes.

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BP “pleased” with federal wind tax credit extension

BP’s proposed $300 million project, however, is unlikely to begin in time to be eligible for the tax credit unless Congress extends it once more.

By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2013

The extension of the federal wind energy production tax credit will allow developers to move forward with their renewable energy projects, including the proposed Cape Vincent Wind Farm, according to BP Wind Energy.

“We are pleased that Congress passed the common sense extension of the PTC (production tax credit). This will allow wind energy developers to move forward with plans for new projects in 2013, while providing an opportunity to discuss ideas on the proper role of the PTC moving forward,” BP spokeswoman Amanda Abbott said in an email to the Times.

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Copenhagen Wind Farm developers seeking second test tower

  By STEVE VIRKLER

TIMES STAFF WRITER

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2013

DEER RIVER — Developers of the proposed Copenhagen Wind Farm are seeking permission to erect a second test tower in the town of Denmark.

OwnEnergy Inc., Brooklyn, under the auspices of Copenhagen Wind Farm LLC, plans to install a 197-foot-tall meteorological tower on the south side of Roberts Road on a parcel owned by Gene Bolton, Timothy Sullivan, Harold Sullivan and Bruce Stephenson. 

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