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]