Cashing in his chips

TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

As with any dirty but necessary work, somebody’s got to do it.

~~~

And when it comes to extracting energy from an unpleasant material like cow manure, John R. Greenwood has stepped forward — no doubt watching his footing. His herd of about 1,300 mature cows and 1,200 young stock provides him ample opportunity to fine-tune the project he has undertaken.

Mr. Greenwood and his wife, Linda R., run Greenwood Dairy Farm on Route 310 in St. Lawrence County. The Canton farm also hosts an anaerobic digester, which removes methane gas from cow manure.

Continue...[Watertown Times]

Clayton to PSC: BP’s Cape Vincent wind project could negatively affect the river’s scenic vista

CLAYTON — In a recent letter to the state Public Service Commission, the Town Council expressed its concerns “as a stakeholder” in BP’s Cape Vincent wind project.

Officials said in their letter that the proposed project might have “a potential negative impact on the scenic vista from the St. Lawrence River” and asked the PSC to respect municipal home rule. 

Continue...[Watertown Times]

Clarkson opens blade test facility

POTSDAM — When heavy winds and sudden storms hit hard, engineers and customers want to be sure their energy-producing wind turbines can take the hit. That’s where the new Blade Test Facility at Clarkson University comes in.

On Thursday Clarkson unveiled the facility, a partnership between the school, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the Center for Evaluation of Clean Energy Technology.

Continue...[Watertown Times]

Energy, forestry experts express optimism touring biomass plant on Fort Drum

FORT DRUM — During a tour of ReEnergy Holdings LLC’s Black River biomass facility on post Thursday, several industry observers were optimistic about how sites like the plant could benefit local economies across the state.

“There’s a big potential to grow capacity,” said Alice Brumbach, the executive administrator of the New York Biomass Energy Alliance. She said one major benefit was that local job and supply chains are created in areas around biomass facilities. 

Continue...[Watertown Times]

Digester will turn methane into electricity

POTSDAM — St. Lawrence County dairy farmer Jon R. Greenwood is ready to turn on the switch on an anaerobic digester that will take the methane produced by manure from his cows and turn it into electricity..
Continue...[Watertown Times]

SUNY Canton turbine plans power ahead

CANTON - The government-mandated studies have been completed and plans are nearing completion for a wind-powered future at SUNY Canton.

The college has hoped to build an on-campus wind turbine since a feasibility study was completed in 2005, and is on track to break ground next spring.

Continue...[ Watertown Times]

Public invited to study details of wind farm

THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

We thank the Watertown Daily Times for its front-page article on July 17 concerning the positive impact for Jefferson County landowners of the proposed Copenhagen Wind Farm transmission line.

On July 9, in cooperation with the town of Denmark Planning Board, the project developer, OwnEnergy, presented for public review and comment the NYS Draft Environmental Impact Statement. It details the entire project, which engages both Lewis and Jefferson counties. 

Continue...[Wtaertown Times]

Public invited to study details of wind farm

THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

We thank the Watertown Daily Times for its front-page article on July 17 concerning the positive impact for Jefferson County landowners of the proposed Copenhagen Wind Farm transmission line.

On July 9, in cooperation with the town of Denmark Planning Board, the project developer, OwnEnergy, presented for public review and comment the NYS Draft Environmental Impact Statement. It details the entire project, which engages both Lewis and Jefferson counties.[Watertown Times]

River Agency reviews draft proposal for monetizing 20 megwatts

By AMANDA PURCELL

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

LOUISVILLE - Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, presented Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s draft proposal allowing for the sale of proceeds of 20 megawatts of hydropower to the St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency Tuesday.

The six-page draft bill includes details on how the proceeds of the sale of 20 megawatts of power could be spent by a special board appointed by the governor for economic development in the north country. Continue... [Watertown Times]

Wind developer to pay farmers in Rutland, Champion to install power line through land

By TED BOOKER
TIMES STAFF WRITER

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

Thirteen farmers who own land north of Route 12 in the towns of Rutland and Champion have signed contracts with a Brooklyn wind developer, allowing it to build a 10-mile overhead power transmission line through their fields that is needed for the Copenhagen Wind Farm project.

Farmers who signed contracts with the company this year were given $1,000 bonus checks on the spot for signing the easement for the 115-volt power line, which will run west from a substation to be built near the Jefferson-Lewis county line in the village of Copenhagen and connect to a National Grid substation near Burrville. Along with that bonus, the company agreed to pay $8,000 per acre of easement property in areas at which the line passes through tillable farmland. That payoff equates to about $2,000 for every 100 feet of farmland the line spans.

Continue...[Watertown Times]

Boots on the ground

MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013

National Grid’s recent meeting with housing developers in Jefferson County has been proclaimed a success by the power company, which has promised to become involved at an early stage in proposed developments. That could be good news if National Grid devotes enough staff to expediting work with developers who are obligated to provide safe work sites a nd well-engineered plans before National Grid can begin its work.

National Grid provides all developers standard, detailed check lists to ease the way to completion of a project. What National Grid has not been able to do adequately in Jefferson County is to keep up with the demand for new service, especially at some of the larger projects. Continue...[Watertown Times]

Biomass facility at Fort Drum to hold grand opening event on Friday

By GORDON BLOCK
TIMES STAFF WRITER

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

FORT DRUM — A new biomass facility on post will have its grand opening this morning, drawing several regional business and government leaders.

The 60-megawatt generating plant, which will be operated by ReEnergy Holdings LLC, Albany, has been touted as a project that will provide the area surrounding the post with renewable power and lead to more jobs.

[Watertown Times]

NYPA spending millions to improve Energy Highway in Northern New York

MASSENA - The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has announced that the NYPA Board of Trustees has authorized $31 million in funding to help upgrade NYPA’s transmission system in Central and Northern New York.

The May 21 trustees’ action stems from the recommendation in Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s New York Energy Highway Blueprint for accelerating construction and repair of the state’s aging transmission infrastructure. The funding includes $19.6 million and $11.7 million for refurbishment of transmission system equipment at NYPA’s Frederick R. Clark Energy Center in Marcy and Massena Substation in Massena, respectively.[Watertown Times]

Lowville officials considering minor changes to digester, solar laws

LOWVILLE — Lowville town councilmen plan to digest a few comments before adopting laws regulating manure digesters and solar energy systems.[Watertown Times]

Congressman ~ Bill Owens Writes to the PSC expressing his opposition to BP Wind Energy's initiation of an A10 Process

May 7 2013

New York State Public Service Commission

Empire state Plaza

Agency Building 3

Albany, NY 12223

Dear Mr. Brown,

I am writing to express opposition to BP wind energy's initiation of an article 10 process for their Cape Vincent wind project, and to urge the New York State Public service commission (NYSPSC) to respect the  local communities decision-making process concerning future energy development and infrastructure.

As you know the initiation of the article 10 process in the town of Cape Vincent has caused great concern among many of my constituents. Not only does it allow the state to supersede local community zoning regulations when it comes to the siting of wind power projects, but it also tramples the right of citizens to make their own determination on the best interest of the community.

While article 10 of the power New York act attempts to streamline New York's decision-making process with respect to the construction and operation of new, modified, and re-power generating facilities, it fails to properly do so in coordination with local leaders and communities. This lack of consideration is evidenced in BP's preliminary scoping statement, as it failed to meet several state requirements, use the half-century old map ports turbine site plan, and responded to many of the local comments and questions by simply stating they would be addressed in the permit application.

I believe New York has tremendous potential to attract new jobs and businesses with clean, low-cost power, and I gladly support such efforts, however reference in the siting process should be given to the local community. As we move forward, I urge the NYSPSC to allow the citizens who hold an intimate stake in the region to have a significant role in deciding which future energy source best serves the interest of their community.

Very truly yours,

Bill Owens

Member of Congress

Voters for Wind accused of receiving money from BP

CAPE VINCENT — Voters for Wind has been accused of receiving financial assistance from BP Wind Energy by an attorney representing Cape Vincent’s town government. Continue...

Seaway gives city port award for increased cargo in 2012

By BRIAN KIDWELL

THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2013

Business was good at the Port of Ogdensburg in 2012; just ask the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.

Steel, iron ore, salt, wind energy components, grain, aluminum and other commodities passed through the Seaway ports last year in greater numbers than in 2011.

Wind energy components were at the center of the Ogdensburg port’s busy year.[Watertown Times]

Indian River may build new elementary school, solar field

By REENA SINGH
TIMES STAFF WRITER

MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013

PHILADELPHIA — Indian River Central School District may have several years’ worth of projects ahead.

At the Board of Education meeting Thursday, Business Manager James R. Koch said that in addition to the solar and wind projects being considered, the district may have to build another primary school or add up to 12 classrooms to an existing school to prepare for a possible surge in enrollment in the next two years.

[Watertown Times]

SUNY Canton shows turbine plans to public

By JACOB TIERNEY

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

CANTON — Construction on a wind turbine at SUNY Canton may be underway by this time next year.
The college held its first public informational meeting about the project Tuesday, to provide updates on the project that has been discussed since 2005 and is now close to becoming a reality.

[Watertown Times]

Going Green: free state-funded audits reap farmers savings on cutting-edge equipment

By TED BOOKER
TIMES STAFF WRITER

TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2013

Because they’re busy with daily chores, farmers often can’t find time to research the latest energy-efficient technology on the market.

Now, they have access to someone who has done that work for them. Community energy auditor Gerald K. Loch visits farms in the north country to slash energy costs. The expert from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County has started conducting free energy audits at farms this spring, thanks to $6.2 million in state funding awarded this year to the Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Along with providing farms free audits, the program funds up to 75 percent of energy-efficient equipment for which farmers qualify. Up to $250,000 can be awarded per farm.[Watertown Times]