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 ]