Watertown Daily Times | Listen to citizens committees on wind issues
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2010
For three years I have spoken with many community citizens committees as they develop standards for turbine siting to protect the health, welfare and safety of the public. Renewable energy is a nice catch phrase, but when the turbines are up, there is no chance to renew a community subjected to improper protections and setbacks. Once the character of a community is gone, it is gone forever.
An important issue is the conflict of interest by board members holding wind contracts directly, or through family members. When a basketball referee bets on NBA games, he is immediately impeached for a violation of trust, and everyone can see that so clearly. However, when a town board member does the same thing, voting when he holds an economic stake in the outcome, it is somehow different. It is not. If you want to participate on the board, the answer is simple. Accept without amendment the recommendations of your independent citizens committees who have investigated and understood the issues of wind development. Protect the public by enacting those recommendations without developer-demanded changes.
Why is it that each of the citizens committees in Clayton, Lyme and Cape Vincent has recommended a noise limit above background sound levels, yet these limits are resisted? Those sound limits, as recommended by New York state, would allow non-contract holders, living in the midst of an industrial wind project, to negotiate payments for intrusive noise on their property. With the sound limits, the small landowner potentially impacted by the noise would have the option to receive payments for granting an easement. Who could be against that? It is the developer and contract holders who have no interest in sharing turbine payments with anyone. It complicates things. To make this scheme work, those conflicted who control the game must turn their backs on this obvious wrong.
After the failures of BP, does anyone honestly believe that a developer-drafted law provides for the protection of the community better than that recommended by the town- appointed citizens committees, recommendations rejected by those boards because the developers such as BP, Acciona and PPM tell them so?
This brings us back to the conflict of interest. The town boards must remove themselves from debate and accept the recommendations of their citizens committees. Cape Vincent, Clayton and Lyme must stop listening to those whose motive is purely profit, stop the debate and enact local laws as recommended by nonconflicted, honest and informed citizens who have developed recommendations to protect the public, while allowing appropriate wind development to proceed.
Paul Carr
Chaumont
Thursday, June 10, 2010
JCIDA's tax-exempt policy for wind farms won't include local, county issues
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2010
Local and county issues will not be part of a uniform tax-exempt policy for wind power projects, but the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency board will consider the issues along with the projects.
The agency's governance committee met Wednesday morning to discuss changes to its uniform policy, which applies to all projects that ask for tax abatements.
Continue.
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2010
Local and county issues will not be part of a uniform tax-exempt policy for wind power projects, but the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency board will consider the issues along with the projects.
The agency's governance committee met Wednesday morning to discuss changes to its uniform policy, which applies to all projects that ask for tax abatements.
Continue.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Cape Community Power Project Feasible
Cape power project feasible
By Nancy Madsen Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
Publication: Watertown Daily Times (New York)
Date: Wednesday, June 9 2010
Jun. 9--CAPE VINCENT -- The town's electricity transmission system could handle a community wind project.
Loren W. Pruskowski, vice president of Sustainable Energy Development, reported to the St. Lawrence River Public Power Association, which is behind an effort for a community-owned project, that a small project could be added to any of the handful of distribution lines in the town.
Link here to continue
By Nancy Madsen Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
Publication: Watertown Daily Times (New York)
Date: Wednesday, June 9 2010
Jun. 9--CAPE VINCENT -- The town's electricity transmission system could handle a community wind project.
Loren W. Pruskowski, vice president of Sustainable Energy Development, reported to the St. Lawrence River Public Power Association, which is behind an effort for a community-owned project, that a small project could be added to any of the handful of distribution lines in the town.
Link here to continue
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
DEC won't claim review
Tuesday, June 08, 2010 5:02 PM
Source: Watertown Daily Times)
By Nancy Madsen, Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
Jun. 8--The state Department of Environmental Conservation isn't interested in taking over the environmental review of dormant Horse Creek Wind Farm.
Clayton's joint village and town Planning Board didn't give the project a third year-long suspension during its environmental review process. Developer Iberdrola Renewable had asked for the suspension so it could further investigate the potential harm of the 62-turbine project to Indiana bats, a federally listed endangered species.
Link to continue reading
Source: Watertown Daily Times)
By Nancy Madsen, Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
Jun. 8--The state Department of Environmental Conservation isn't interested in taking over the environmental review of dormant Horse Creek Wind Farm.
Clayton's joint village and town Planning Board didn't give the project a third year-long suspension during its environmental review process. Developer Iberdrola Renewable had asked for the suspension so it could further investigate the potential harm of the 62-turbine project to Indiana bats, a federally listed endangered species.
Link to continue reading
Monday, June 7, 2010
~Acciona to wait another month to submit final EIS
Watertown Daily Times | Acciona to wait another month
MONDAY, JUNE 7, 2010
Nancy Madsen
CAPE VINCENT - The final environmental impact statement for St. Lawrence Wind Farm will not be ready to submit this week, project manager Tim Conboy said Monday in an e-mail.
He said the company has not asked for a special meeting later this month to submit the statement, which is a summary of the environmental effects of the wind farm on the project area.
MONDAY, JUNE 7, 2010
Nancy Madsen
CAPE VINCENT - The final environmental impact statement for St. Lawrence Wind Farm will not be ready to submit this week, project manager Tim Conboy said Monday in an e-mail.
He said the company has not asked for a special meeting later this month to submit the statement, which is a summary of the environmental effects of the wind farm on the project area.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Another health problem caused by turbines ~ Letter to the Editor
Watertown Daily Times | Another health problem caused by turbines
WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 2010
Several months ago, a neighbor and I drove through the industrial wind complex in Lewis County. While doing so, I experienced a severe case of vertigo and my passenger became nauseous. This definitely caused me concern as the only other time this had happened was when I had driven through another turbine complex in the Southwest.
I was therefore drawn to the article in the Sunday edition of the Watertown Daily Times exclaiming "Hospital shows off balance center." Was the need for a balance center at Lewis County General Hospital generated by the installation of industrial turbines spinning in all directions for miles while drivers were trying to navigate the roads? How many people from Lowville and surrounding areas had sought help for balance problems in other communities before the need was realized in Lewis County? Why had balance problems and vertigo become a priority in that region?
Obviously, there is a growing need to diagnose issues stemming from vertigo or the hospital would not have found it necessary in this economic environment to spend $100,000 to open a balance center. That led me to wonder if the developer had contributed these funds as part of a mitigation agreement. If not, why not? I also wondered if those suffering from balance and vertigo problems connected this life-altering condition with the probable cause.
The article left the readers with many unanswered questions that I am hoping will be forthcoming in the near future. Living in Cape Vincent and being threatened with driving in and around industrial turbines that will no doubt cause me to experience vertigo behind the wheel, I now fear for the health, safety and welfare of my neighbors and visitors to this area.
I am grateful for the appearance of this article as hopefully it will bring to the forefront another subject that should be inserted into any wind law passed in the Cape along with a demand for necessary mitigation to resolve vertigo and other balance health issues created by the installation of turbines.
Perhaps another benefit of the article is the ability of those living in and around the turbines in Lewis County to understand their balance conditions did not come out of nowhere, there is a reason and they are not alone.
L. Sam De Long
Cape Vincent
WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 2010
Several months ago, a neighbor and I drove through the industrial wind complex in Lewis County. While doing so, I experienced a severe case of vertigo and my passenger became nauseous. This definitely caused me concern as the only other time this had happened was when I had driven through another turbine complex in the Southwest.
I was therefore drawn to the article in the Sunday edition of the Watertown Daily Times exclaiming "Hospital shows off balance center." Was the need for a balance center at Lewis County General Hospital generated by the installation of industrial turbines spinning in all directions for miles while drivers were trying to navigate the roads? How many people from Lowville and surrounding areas had sought help for balance problems in other communities before the need was realized in Lewis County? Why had balance problems and vertigo become a priority in that region?
Obviously, there is a growing need to diagnose issues stemming from vertigo or the hospital would not have found it necessary in this economic environment to spend $100,000 to open a balance center. That led me to wonder if the developer had contributed these funds as part of a mitigation agreement. If not, why not? I also wondered if those suffering from balance and vertigo problems connected this life-altering condition with the probable cause.
The article left the readers with many unanswered questions that I am hoping will be forthcoming in the near future. Living in Cape Vincent and being threatened with driving in and around industrial turbines that will no doubt cause me to experience vertigo behind the wheel, I now fear for the health, safety and welfare of my neighbors and visitors to this area.
I am grateful for the appearance of this article as hopefully it will bring to the forefront another subject that should be inserted into any wind law passed in the Cape along with a demand for necessary mitigation to resolve vertigo and other balance health issues created by the installation of turbines.
Perhaps another benefit of the article is the ability of those living in and around the turbines in Lewis County to understand their balance conditions did not come out of nowhere, there is a reason and they are not alone.
L. Sam De Long
Cape Vincent
Expert warns of turbines’ effect on ‘soundscape’
By MATT MCALLISTER
JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS
HAMMOND — A sound expert told the Wind Advisory Committee that Hammond’s “rural soundscape” will be changed with the construction of wind turbines and that it would be foolish to take any wind developer’s sound level plan as gospel.
Clifford P. Schneider, Cape Vincent, who retired from the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Fish and Wildlife Division, told the committee that he became interested in measuring wind turbine sound in 2006, after he was appointed to Cape Vincent’s Town Council.
Continue reading
JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS
HAMMOND — A sound expert told the Wind Advisory Committee that Hammond’s “rural soundscape” will be changed with the construction of wind turbines and that it would be foolish to take any wind developer’s sound level plan as gospel.
Clifford P. Schneider, Cape Vincent, who retired from the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Fish and Wildlife Division, told the committee that he became interested in measuring wind turbine sound in 2006, after he was appointed to Cape Vincent’s Town Council.
Continue reading
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Chaumont Land Purchased by Acciona ~ for Wind Transmission Line
Watertown Daily Times reported 5/19/2010 ~
Chaumont land purchased for wind transmission line
CHAUMONT -- Acciona Wind Energy USA, the developer of the proposed 53-turbine St. Lawrence Wind Farm in Cape Vincent, has purchased 102 acres of farmland along Old Town Springs Road and Cheever Road from H. George VanAlstyne, Chaumont, for $180,000, according to property transactions recorded May 10 at the Jefferson County clerk's office.
Acciona wants to run a 9-mile, 115-kilovolt transmission line that would connect the wind farm's substation on Swamp Road, Cape Vincent, to a National Grid substation on County Route 179 in Lyme
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Wind PILOT Watertown Times Editorial
Repeal Galloo Island plan
SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2010
Link -->here<--
to read the many comments at the Watertown Daily Times!
The payment-in-lieu-of-taxes plan for the Galloo Island Wind Farm was not supposed to be a model for other wind power projects. Yet that is what's happening in the debate over a zoning law regulating wind power developments in the town of Cape Vincent. There, the terms of the Galloo Island PILOT plan are being used to estimate possible PILOT payments for BP Alternative Energy's 124-megawatt project in a debate over the town's proposal to regulate noise levels.
It is a consequence of the JCIDA's failure to follow the intent of the Legislature. But county lawmakers are not blameless. They share in the responsibiliy for approving the Galloo Island PILOT for Upstate NY Power Corp.
Link -->here<-- to read the many comments at the Watertown Daily Times!
SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2010
Link -->here<--
to read the many comments at the Watertown Daily Times!
The payment-in-lieu-of-taxes plan for the Galloo Island Wind Farm was not supposed to be a model for other wind power projects. Yet that is what's happening in the debate over a zoning law regulating wind power developments in the town of Cape Vincent. There, the terms of the Galloo Island PILOT plan are being used to estimate possible PILOT payments for BP Alternative Energy's 124-megawatt project in a debate over the town's proposal to regulate noise levels.
It is a consequence of the JCIDA's failure to follow the intent of the Legislature. But county lawmakers are not blameless. They share in the responsibiliy for approving the Galloo Island PILOT for Upstate NY Power Corp.
Link -->here<-- to read the many comments at the Watertown Daily Times!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Cape warned of restrictive wind zoning
By Nancy Madsen Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
Publication: Watertown Daily Times (New York)
Date: Friday, May 14 2010
link here
May 14--CAPE VINCENT -- A restrictive zoning law would eliminate BP Alternative Energy's proposed wind farm here, a company spokesman warned the Town Council Thursday night.
James H. Madden, BP's project manager working on the Cape Vincent Wind Farm, had encouraging figures for a law allowing 50 decibels at the property line, which was proposed during a wind committee work session May 1.
Publication: Watertown Daily Times (New York)
Date: Friday, May 14 2010
link here
May 14--CAPE VINCENT -- A restrictive zoning law would eliminate BP Alternative Energy's proposed wind farm here, a company spokesman warned the Town Council Thursday night.
James H. Madden, BP's project manager working on the Cape Vincent Wind Farm, had encouraging figures for a law allowing 50 decibels at the property line, which was proposed during a wind committee work session May 1.
Galloo lines focus of suit
OKS QUESTIONED: Henderson lawyer argues approvals were negligent
By BRIAN KELLY
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2010
Henderson's legal arguments in opposition to the Galloo Island Wind Farm, which focus primarily on the project's transmission lines, will be rendered moot if the line location shifts.
Henderson filed state Supreme Court action in February asking a judge to annul the town of Hounsfield Planning Board's site plan approval for the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm. The action also named the project's developer, Upstate NY Power Corp., Seneca, and the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
By BRIAN KELLY
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2010
Henderson's legal arguments in opposition to the Galloo Island Wind Farm, which focus primarily on the project's transmission lines, will be rendered moot if the line location shifts.
Henderson filed state Supreme Court action in February asking a judge to annul the town of Hounsfield Planning Board's site plan approval for the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm. The action also named the project's developer, Upstate NY Power Corp., Seneca, and the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Galloo Island Wind Farm Delay
Reported by: Holly Boname
Last Update: 5/13/2010~ 12:18 pm
link here
Proposed wind farm projects may not get off the ground due to recent refusals to purchase wind produced electricity.
The New York Power Authority was the main buyer until recent refusals to participate in the wind farm project purchases, including the Galloo Island Wind Farm Project in development stages.
Four wind farms have been proposed in Jefferson County, including Acciona Wind Energy USA’s St. Lawrence Wind Farm, BP Alternative Energy’s Cape Vincent Wind Farm and Iberdrola’s Horse Creek Wind Farm and are still in the approval process locally.
Last Update: 5/13/2010~ 12:18 pm
link here
Proposed wind farm projects may not get off the ground due to recent refusals to purchase wind produced electricity.
The New York Power Authority was the main buyer until recent refusals to participate in the wind farm project purchases, including the Galloo Island Wind Farm Project in development stages.
Four wind farms have been proposed in Jefferson County, including Acciona Wind Energy USA’s St. Lawrence Wind Farm, BP Alternative Energy’s Cape Vincent Wind Farm and Iberdrola’s Horse Creek Wind Farm and are still in the approval process locally.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Wind farm project delayed
GALLOO ISLAND: Developer cites suit filed by Henderson, says rebate extension
gives 'breathing room'
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2010
The developer of the Galloo Island Wind Farm told north country contractors Friday he is pushing construction back a year, blaming a lawsuit the town of Henderson filed against the town of Hounsfield.
"Upstate had hoped to start this year," said Robert W. Burgdorf, a representative of developer Upstate NY Power Corp. "But at this point, it's pretty clear, there are still permitting issues and a lawsuit with the town of Henderson."
gives 'breathing room'
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2010
The developer of the Galloo Island Wind Farm told north country contractors Friday he is pushing construction back a year, blaming a lawsuit the town of Henderson filed against the town of Hounsfield.
"Upstate had hoped to start this year," said Robert W. Burgdorf, a representative of developer Upstate NY Power Corp. "But at this point, it's pretty clear, there are still permitting issues and a lawsuit with the town of Henderson."
Friday, May 7, 2010
Rienbeck named to board
Watertown Daily Times | Rienbeck named to board
TOWN PLANNING: Cape Vincent fills vacancy in split vote
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — Former Supervisor Thomas K. Rienbeck is on the town Planning Board after a predictably divided 3-2 vote from the Town Council during a special meeting Thursday night.
Mr. Rienbeck was defeated by Urban C. Hirschey in the 2009 election, a vote that was decided based on the two potential wind power projects in the town.
TOWN PLANNING: Cape Vincent fills vacancy in split vote
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — Former Supervisor Thomas K. Rienbeck is on the town Planning Board after a predictably divided 3-2 vote from the Town Council during a special meeting Thursday night.
Mr. Rienbeck was defeated by Urban C. Hirschey in the 2009 election, a vote that was decided based on the two potential wind power projects in the town.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Panel reviews effects of wind
ORLEANS GROUP: Members' opinions differ on extent of property devaluation By NANCY MADSEN TIMES STAFF WRITER
Panel reviews effects of wind
THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2010 LAFARGEVILLE — Members of the Orleans wind economics committee voiced a range of views on what the effects of a wind farm would be on property values in the town. Members of the committee, which met Wednesday night, are working on a report that will outline the economic effects for the school districts, participants and town and the effect of turbines in the viewshed on property values.
Panel reviews effects of wind
THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2010 LAFARGEVILLE — Members of the Orleans wind economics committee voiced a range of views on what the effects of a wind farm would be on property values in the town. Members of the committee, which met Wednesday night, are working on a report that will outline the economic effects for the school districts, participants and town and the effect of turbines in the viewshed on property values.
Leslie T. Henry, a committee member and real estate broker, reviewed a number of studies not sponsored by wind power proponents and looking at areas within 4 miles of a project. "There's a lot of variation," he said.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Talks on noise limits on hold
Talks on noise limits on hold
CAPE VINCENT WIND: Proposal agreed upon, but vote not taken
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — A four-hour work session Saturday was not enough for the town's wind committee to reach a consensus on noise level limits and setbacks for industrial wind turbines in the town.
After a long debate over a one-page proposal by wind committee member Beth A. White, the nine members of the Town Council, Planning Board and wind committee present agreed to disagree and to continue the talks at another meeting.
CAPE VINCENT WIND: Proposal agreed upon, but vote not taken
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — A four-hour work session Saturday was not enough for the town's wind committee to reach a consensus on noise level limits and setbacks for industrial wind turbines in the town.
After a long debate over a one-page proposal by wind committee member Beth A. White, the nine members of the Town Council, Planning Board and wind committee present agreed to disagree and to continue the talks at another meeting.
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