CAPE VINCENT TURBINE PLAN STIRS WORRIES

The results of the Cape Vincent Wind turbine survey of 2005 are at the end of this Watertown Times article.March 24, 2006 CAPE VINCENT TURBINE PLAN STIRS WORRIES
Author: Jude Seymour
Times Staff Writer
Edition: Both Section:
Jefferson Page: D8 Dateline:

Estimated printed pages: 3 Article Text: Although not one wind turbine has started spinning, energy is already being generated and expended by the town's concerned citizens, who say proposed setbacks for towers aren't stringent enough.

Between 25 and 50 Cape Vincent residents have been approached by two competing green energy companies - Wind Power New York of Rochester and Greenlight Energy Inc. of Charlottesville, Va. - about buying rights to develop land for 2-megawatt turbines both inland and near the riverfront.

In response to these solicitations, the town began drafting zoning regulations, including setback requirements, that would control where the 400-foot towers could be built.

"Right now, the way we had it up is 1,500 feet from the center line of Route 12E, plus one and a half times the tower height, which is going to put a little over 600 feet on top of that," said Town Council member Marty T. Mason. Joseph H. Wood, the town's deputy supervisor, said the town will also consider a setback of 2,500 feet from the Route 12E centerline, which was favored by the majority of respondents to a survey issued by the town last fall.

But even this proposal isn't restrictive enough for the Concerned Riverview Citizens, co-chairman David Docteur said.

In a letter issued by the group, organizers wrote that "a minimum of two miles from New York State Route 12E is our suggested setback for any wind turbine towers." If enacted, that would limit construction to areas south of Favret Road.

In a prepared statement, Mr. Docteur also asked the town to provide a "full disclosure on the wind farm plan to the community at large."
The composition of the Concerned Riverview Citizens, including the size of their membership, is unknown because Mr. Docteur refused further comment.

Town officials will solicit input on the regulations from their constituency during an information session at noon Saturday at the Cape Vincent fire hall, 241 E. Broadway St.

Despite the newly formed group's recent prominence, Town Council members still believe residents overwhelmingly support wind turbine development in Cape Vincent.
"I think they're in favor of them," Mr. Mason said. "I think what they want is a proper setback from the water."

Michael J. Docteur, now a county legislator whose district includes Cape Vincent, was a town councilman when the issue was first addressed publicly last August.

At that time, there was a large portion that showed up that were in favor of wind farms," said Mr. Docteur, nephew of David Docteur.

The county legislator said he won't try to influence zoning regulations now that he's left the Town Council. But he plans to work with the town to secure payments from the energy companies in lieu of property taxes.

"We want to make sure the constituents of Cape Vincent, both the school district and town, receive as much of the needed revenue as possible," Mr. Docteur said.

Assemblyman Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, said real opportunities exist in his hometown for all types of alternative energy production.

In a time when smaller farms are phasing out dairy production and moving toward mulch hay and other types of livestock, producing alternative energy sources - like soy, corn and biomass - could keep local agriculture vibrant, he said.

"I understand there's concerns. And the concerns need to be recognized as well. But we need to take a look at the opportunity," Mr. Aubertine said.

Memo: Wind turbine survey Last fall, the town of Cape Vincent sent out 1,900 surveys asking residents for input on wind turbine developments; 612 were returned.
Wind Turbine Survey results
Responses are as follows:

Are you in favor of wind turbines in the town of Cape Vincent?

Yes: 80.2 percent

No: 19.7 percent

If in favor, in what districts should they be allowed?

Agricultural/residential: 92.2 percent

Lakefront:40.3 percent

Riverfront: 30.3 percent

What setbacks would you recommend from the shore of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River?
Less than 1,500 feet: 5.1 percent

1,500 feet: 23.8 percent

2,000 feet: 13.7 percent

2,500 feet: 36.4 percent


More than 2,500 feet: 20.8 percent