By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2008
LAFARGEVILLLE — The town of Orleans plans to create a Citizens Wind Committee in January, but with fewer members than anticipated.
Town Supervisor Donna J. Chatterton said the committee will start with five members. The town was initially looking for up to nine residents to serve on the proposed wind committee that would help the Town Council make informed decisions regarding wind development.
Continue reading via this link to the Watertown Times
Monday, December 29, 2008
Put residents first when drafting wind law - letter
Watertown Daily Times | Put residents first when drafting wind law
MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2008
Both developers of wind farms in the town of Cape Vincent have asked for a quick conclusion to the wind law committee's work. Well, what a surprise. The developers thought that the town had been bought and paid for and now that the town fathers are giving the appearance of concern toward the citizens they serve, the developers are becoming impatient.
The article in the Dec. 21 Sunday Times said that representatives from Acciona talked to Supervisor Thomas Rienbeck the day after the last wind law committee meeting expressing concern about time frames.
Continue reading via this link
MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2008
Both developers of wind farms in the town of Cape Vincent have asked for a quick conclusion to the wind law committee's work. Well, what a surprise. The developers thought that the town had been bought and paid for and now that the town fathers are giving the appearance of concern toward the citizens they serve, the developers are becoming impatient.
The article in the Dec. 21 Sunday Times said that representatives from Acciona talked to Supervisor Thomas Rienbeck the day after the last wind law committee meeting expressing concern about time frames.
Continue reading via this link
Friday, December 26, 2008
22 wind turbines complete in project
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008
WOLFE ISLAND — Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. has erected 22 wind turbines at the 86-turbine Wolfe Island Wind Farm so far and the completion of the project is only three months away.
Lindsey Moen, communications coordinator of Canadian Hydro Developers Inc., said the construction work for the $450-million, 197.8-megawatt wind farm project has slowed through the holidays, but major activities will resume after Jan. 5.
The wind farm is scheduled to be completed by March 31, Ms. Moen said.
Wolfe Island 22 wind turbines complete in project
22 wind turbines complete in project
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008
WOLFE ISLAND — Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. has erected 22 wind turbines at the 86-turbine Wolfe Island Wind Farm so far and the completion of the project is only three months away.
Lindsey Moen, communications coordinator of Canadian Hydro Developers Inc., said the construction work for the $450-million, 197.8-megawatt wind farm project has slowed through the holidays, but major activities will resume after Jan. 5.
The wind farm is scheduled to be completed by March 31, Ms. Moen said.
Link here to original
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008
WOLFE ISLAND — Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. has erected 22 wind turbines at the 86-turbine Wolfe Island Wind Farm so far and the completion of the project is only three months away.
Lindsey Moen, communications coordinator of Canadian Hydro Developers Inc., said the construction work for the $450-million, 197.8-megawatt wind farm project has slowed through the holidays, but major activities will resume after Jan. 5.
The wind farm is scheduled to be completed by March 31, Ms. Moen said.
Link here to original
Open wind committee meetings to public ~ Letter
Open wind committee meetings to public
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008
As someone who's attended most of Clayton's town board meetings for a couple of years, I'd like to comment on public participation rules and the wind committee.
I agree there's need for a public meeting format that facilitates normal town business, while giving the public opportunities to speak on agenda items and/or anything else. After reading the written rules and some conversations, I see nothing that prohibits me from speaking to the board on any issue, alleviating my initial reservations. The time limits are short but seem flexible. Thus, the rules appear fair enough, and the format might benefit public participation.
Continue
Open wind committee meetings to public
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008
As someone who's attended most of Clayton's town board meetings for a couple of years, I'd like to comment on public participation rules and the wind committee.
I agree there's need for a public meeting format that facilitates normal town business, while giving the public opportunities to speak on agenda items and/or anything else. After reading the written rules and some conversations, I see nothing that prohibits me from speaking to the board on any issue, alleviating my initial reservations. The time limits are short but seem flexible. Thus, the rules appear fair enough, and the format might benefit public participation.
Continue
Open wind committee meetings to public
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Developers Push For Wind Farm Rules
CAPE VINCENT ZONING:
Acciona, BP call for quick decision on siting law so they can get to work on plans
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2008
CAPE VINCENT — Both developers of wind farms in the town have asked for a quick conclusion to the wind law committee's work.
After the committee met Thursday afternoon, representatives from Acciona talked to Supervisor Thomas K. Rienbeck. He said Friday that they expressed concern about the time frame remaining on the development of a zoning law that will govern turbine siting.
~~
Continue reading
Acciona, BP call for quick decision on siting law so they can get to work on plans
Acciona, BP call for quick decision on siting law so they can get to work on plans
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2008
CAPE VINCENT — Both developers of wind farms in the town have asked for a quick conclusion to the wind law committee's work.
After the committee met Thursday afternoon, representatives from Acciona talked to Supervisor Thomas K. Rienbeck. He said Friday that they expressed concern about the time frame remaining on the development of a zoning law that will govern turbine siting.
~~
Continue reading
Acciona, BP call for quick decision on siting law so they can get to work on plans
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wind panel to meet secretly
Wind panel to meet secretly
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2008
CLAYTON — The newly formed Wind Law Review Committee will meet in secret for several months before it makes recommendations to the Town Council regarding wind turbine noise and setbacks.
The 10-member committee plans to hold its first meeting in January. The group will gather community input and also discuss potential health risks related to wind farms.
~~~
Continue reading
Wind panel to meet secretly
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2008
CLAYTON — The newly formed Wind Law Review Committee will meet in secret for several months before it makes recommendations to the Town Council regarding wind turbine noise and setbacks.
The 10-member committee plans to hold its first meeting in January. The group will gather community input and also discuss potential health risks related to wind farms.
~~~
Continue reading
Wind panel to meet secretly
Friday, December 5, 2008
JCIDA asked to hurry uniform wind PILOTs
JCIDA asked to hurry uniform wind PILOTs
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2008
A local wind power developer asked for speed from the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency on creating a uniform tax-exempt policy.
"The need for a uniform policy is great," said BP Alternative Energy representative John S. Harris, attorney with McKenna Long and Aldridge, Albany. "It certainly allows BP to make a business decision to move forward. We are willing to engage in dialogue on what makes sense."
~~~~~
Continue reading
JCIDA asked to hurry uniform wind PILOTs
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2008
A local wind power developer asked for speed from the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency on creating a uniform tax-exempt policy.
"The need for a uniform policy is great," said BP Alternative Energy representative John S. Harris, attorney with McKenna Long and Aldridge, Albany. "It certainly allows BP to make a business decision to move forward. We are willing to engage in dialogue on what makes sense."
~~~~~
Continue reading
JCIDA asked to hurry uniform wind PILOTs
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Cape meeting to discuss municipal wind farms
TIMES STAFF WRITER
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2008
Link here
CAPE VINCENT — A group of landowners interested in publicly owned wind farms is hosting an informational meeting on municipal wind projects.
The forum will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Cape Vincent Recreation Park, 602 S. James St.
"It will give us another perspective," said Hester M. Chase.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2008
Link here
CAPE VINCENT — A group of landowners interested in publicly owned wind farms is hosting an informational meeting on municipal wind projects.
The forum will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Cape Vincent Recreation Park, 602 S. James St.
"It will give us another perspective," said Hester M. Chase.
Friday, November 28, 2008
MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT CAPE VINCENT'S WIND TURBINE PLANS ~ Letter
This letter by Noel Bonvouloir was posted in the Watertown Daily Times Letters from the people Nov 28, 2008.
In response to this letter, Harvey White wrote a rebuttal letter to the Watertown Times.
~~~~~
After the flip-flop decision by the Cape Vincent committee to move the setback of the wind towers, I started to notice the way things are apparently handled in this small town.
The committee set up by the town supervisor is to set acceptable noise levels and setbacks. The chairman of the committee is also the town supervisor. He then appoints other town and village officers along with property owners receiving towers and one or two outsiders.
I asked some questions from some members on why the switch from one week to the next about the setback in the agricultural district. I got comments like, "It's all swamp out there and it's useless land." I even saw them mentioned in the papers. Also, that it's agricultural land and that's what it is going to be used for.
Continue reading via this link to the [WDT archives]
In response to this letter, Harvey White wrote a rebuttal letter to the Watertown Times.
~~~~~
After the flip-flop decision by the Cape Vincent committee to move the setback of the wind towers, I started to notice the way things are apparently handled in this small town.
The committee set up by the town supervisor is to set acceptable noise levels and setbacks. The chairman of the committee is also the town supervisor. He then appoints other town and village officers along with property owners receiving towers and one or two outsiders.
I asked some questions from some members on why the switch from one week to the next about the setback in the agricultural district. I got comments like, "It's all swamp out there and it's useless land." I even saw them mentioned in the papers. Also, that it's agricultural land and that's what it is going to be used for.
Continue reading via this link to the [WDT archives]
Low-frequency noise linked to heart attacks
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2008
In an Oct. 9 letter to the Watertown Daily Times, I presented an article from the European Heart Journal authored by Dr. Stefan Willich et al. that suggested low-frequency noise may be related to heart attacks and that women seemed disproportionately at risk.
Dawn M. Munk of Three Mile Bay responded to my letter by bringing to our attention a critique by Dr. Wolfgang Babish (Oct. 25). Dr. Babish found fault with the way Dr. Willich's group had managed their data and took issue with the suggestion that noise affected women to a greater extent than men. In the meantime, Dr. Babish published a study suggesting men are at greater risk of heart attacks related to noise than women (Epidemiology, volume 16, 33-44, 2005). [Watertown Times]
Monday, November 24, 2008
Hammond anti-wind-law group growing
Hammond anti-wind-law group growing
TIMES STAFF WRITER
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2008
HAMMOND — A group in Hammond aimed at overturning the recent wind farm law has been growing steadily in numbers and influence.
Concerned Residents of Hammond, which began in late October after the town enacted a law regarding the creation of wind farms, has grown from 25 to 70 members.
~~
Continue reading
Hammond anti-wind-law group growing
TIMES STAFF WRITER
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2008
HAMMOND — A group in Hammond aimed at overturning the recent wind farm law has been growing steadily in numbers and influence.
Concerned Residents of Hammond, which began in late October after the town enacted a law regarding the creation of wind farms, has grown from 25 to 70 members.
~~
Continue reading
Hammond anti-wind-law group growing
Friday, November 21, 2008
Wind panel sets noise-level protocol
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2008
CAPE VINCENT — The town wind law committee created to produce a zoning amendment to deal with wind farms added a sound measurement protocol and changed setbacks from roads during its meeting Thursday afternoon.
The sound protocol came from recommendations from the acoustical engineering firm Cavanaugh Tocci Associates, Sudbury, Mass., based on a wind development zoning law written for the Association of Towns and rules for noise studies written by Cape Vincent resident Clifford P. Schneider.
Continue reading via this link to the Watertown Times
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2008
CAPE VINCENT — The town wind law committee created to produce a zoning amendment to deal with wind farms added a sound measurement protocol and changed setbacks from roads during its meeting Thursday afternoon.
The sound protocol came from recommendations from the acoustical engineering firm Cavanaugh Tocci Associates, Sudbury, Mass., based on a wind development zoning law written for the Association of Towns and rules for noise studies written by Cape Vincent resident Clifford P. Schneider.
Continue reading via this link to the Watertown Times
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Clayton, Orleans organizing wind law committees
Clayton, Orleans organizing wind law committees
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2008
Link here
CLAYTON — Two towns involved in the proposed 62-turbine Horse Creek Wind Farm, Clayton and Orleans, will create separate committees to gather community input for a possible wind law.
The town of Clayton will soon form a 10-member "Wind Law Review Committee" to craft a local law setting noise limits for wind turbines and establish setbacks for wind farms.
Link here
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2008
Link here
CLAYTON — Two towns involved in the proposed 62-turbine Horse Creek Wind Farm, Clayton and Orleans, will create separate committees to gather community input for a possible wind law.
The town of Clayton will soon form a 10-member "Wind Law Review Committee" to craft a local law setting noise limits for wind turbines and establish setbacks for wind farms.
Link here
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Put brakes on Hammond wind law~ letter
Put brakes on Hammond wind law
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2008
On Oct. 28, the Hammond town board passed the Hammond Wind Law, which will allow wind companies to erect 600-foot wind turbines in a large swath encompassing Hammond from the St. Lawrence River to Black Lake.
The Concerned Residents of Hammond (CROH) is apprehensive about this law for a number of reasons. Currently, the law states that a wind turbine has to be at least 1,500 feet from a home or school. This is roughly a quarter mile, and whoever lives or works this close to a turbine is going to have to deal with a lot of noise. There is also the annoyance of the flicker effect. As the blade rotates, it throws shadows. People living and working near the turbines will have to deal with the flickering shadows on a regular basis.
Continue ~ Put brakes on Hammond wind law
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2008
On Oct. 28, the Hammond town board passed the Hammond Wind Law, which will allow wind companies to erect 600-foot wind turbines in a large swath encompassing Hammond from the St. Lawrence River to Black Lake.
The Concerned Residents of Hammond (CROH) is apprehensive about this law for a number of reasons. Currently, the law states that a wind turbine has to be at least 1,500 feet from a home or school. This is roughly a quarter mile, and whoever lives or works this close to a turbine is going to have to deal with a lot of noise. There is also the annoyance of the flicker effect. As the blade rotates, it throws shadows. People living and working near the turbines will have to deal with the flickering shadows on a regular basis.
Continue ~ Put brakes on Hammond wind law
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Amend Clayton's wind-power zoning law ~ letter
Watertown Daily Times Amend Clayton's wind-power zoning law
Amend Clayton's wind-power zoning law
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2008
Two years ago, the Clayton Town Council approved Local Law Number One. This law defines the requirements for siting wind-generating facilities within the township's boundaries. As with all zoning laws, siting requirements are provided to protect the public health and safety and the environment, and address other concerns, including aesthetics.
Over the past two years, much has been learned about operational characteristics of these giant wind-generation machines that requires a re-examination of this weak, ineffective zoning law. Specifically, the state Department of Environmental Conservation has a guideline recommending a sound increase of no more than 6 dBa (decibels) above existing levels at property lines closest to the generators. The Clayton zoning law allows noise levels up to 50 dBa with setbacks of 1,250 feet from off-site residences, hospitals, churches and public libraries, irrespective of boundaries. Given our very quiet residual ambient, which is typically in the range of 20-35 dBa, our 50 dBa represents untenable noise inside residences and other public locations.
Continue reading
Watertown Daily Times Amend Clayton's wind-power zoning law
Amend Clayton's wind-power zoning law
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2008
Two years ago, the Clayton Town Council approved Local Law Number One. This law defines the requirements for siting wind-generating facilities within the township's boundaries. As with all zoning laws, siting requirements are provided to protect the public health and safety and the environment, and address other concerns, including aesthetics.
Over the past two years, much has been learned about operational characteristics of these giant wind-generation machines that requires a re-examination of this weak, ineffective zoning law. Specifically, the state Department of Environmental Conservation has a guideline recommending a sound increase of no more than 6 dBa (decibels) above existing levels at property lines closest to the generators. The Clayton zoning law allows noise levels up to 50 dBa with setbacks of 1,250 feet from off-site residences, hospitals, churches and public libraries, irrespective of boundaries. Given our very quiet residual ambient, which is typically in the range of 20-35 dBa, our 50 dBa represents untenable noise inside residences and other public locations.
Continue reading
Watertown Daily Times Amend Clayton's wind-power zoning law
Friday, November 7, 2008
NYS DEPT of Health & Their position on Wind Turbine siting
November 7, 2008
The New York state Department of Health Gives Their opinion Wind Turbines and human health...
Here is a link to the document How-to guide to criteria for siting wind turbines to prevent health risks from sound
The New York state Department of Health Gives Their opinion Wind Turbines and human health...
Here is a link to the document How-to guide to criteria for siting wind turbines to prevent health risks from sound
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Just add water
Just add water
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2008
ELLISBURG — The concrete-based, glass-lined water tower under construction here is only the fourth in Jefferson County.
The others are in Antwerp and Cape Vincent, and one is being built on Route 3 in the town of Watertown.
“It’s the latest in tank technology,” said Kris D. Dimmick, vice president at Bernier, Carr and Associates, Watertown. “The actual water bowl has been around for the last 30 or 40 years, but the manufacturer’s ability to put it on a concrete pedestal is the new wrinkle.”
Continue reading Just add water
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2008
ELLISBURG — The concrete-based, glass-lined water tower under construction here is only the fourth in Jefferson County.
The others are in Antwerp and Cape Vincent, and one is being built on Route 3 in the town of Watertown.
“It’s the latest in tank technology,” said Kris D. Dimmick, vice president at Bernier, Carr and Associates, Watertown. “The actual water bowl has been around for the last 30 or 40 years, but the manufacturer’s ability to put it on a concrete pedestal is the new wrinkle.”
Continue reading Just add water
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Panel seeking specifics on noise
Panel seeking specifics on noise
CAPE WIND ZONING: Group to ask engineers to evaluate gauging of turbine decibels
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2008
CAPE VINCENT — Members of the committee formed to produce a zoning amendment to deal with wind farms want specifics.
During a meeting Thursday afternoon, the committee agreed to ask the acoustical engineering firm Cavanaugh Tocci Associates, Sudbury, Mass., to evaluate the noise-measuring methods in different laws. That firm panned Hessler Associates' ambient noise study in BP Alternative Energy's draft environmental impact statement for the Cape Vincent Wind Farm.
Panel seeking specifics on noise
continue reading
CAPE WIND ZONING: Group to ask engineers to evaluate gauging of turbine decibels
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2008
CAPE VINCENT — Members of the committee formed to produce a zoning amendment to deal with wind farms want specifics.
During a meeting Thursday afternoon, the committee agreed to ask the acoustical engineering firm Cavanaugh Tocci Associates, Sudbury, Mass., to evaluate the noise-measuring methods in different laws. That firm panned Hessler Associates' ambient noise study in BP Alternative Energy's draft environmental impact statement for the Cape Vincent Wind Farm.
Panel seeking specifics on noise
continue reading
Political battle brews over fate of Lee Memorial Hospital
Political battle brews over fate of Lee Memorial Hospital
by Carol Thompson
A letter sent to Senator Darrel Aubertine by Oswego County Legislator Louella LeClair has evoked a response from the Aubertine campaign suggesting that Ms. LeClair is part of the David Renzi campaign team.
Legislator LeClair, who represents the City of Fulton’s District 25, sent a letter to Aubertine Oct. 29 claiming he has misled the community with his political advertisements in which he states that he saved the A.L. Lee Memorial Hospital from closure. She followed her letter with an Oct. 30 press release that she issued herself.
continue
Political battle brews over fate of Lee Memorial Hospital
by Carol Thompson
A letter sent to Senator Darrel Aubertine by Oswego County Legislator Louella LeClair has evoked a response from the Aubertine campaign suggesting that Ms. LeClair is part of the David Renzi campaign team.
Legislator LeClair, who represents the City of Fulton’s District 25, sent a letter to Aubertine Oct. 29 claiming he has misled the community with his political advertisements in which he states that he saved the A.L. Lee Memorial Hospital from closure. She followed her letter with an Oct. 30 press release that she issued herself.
continue
Political battle brews over fate of Lee Memorial Hospital
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