Lewis County fights for windmill money
Lewis County is set to lose millions of dollars in Empire Zone money, but the head of the state’s Empire Development Agency says that could change.
Each year, the county has received $2 million in Empire Zone money to use toward its budget.
Without the credits, that amount shrivels to $500,000.
The windmills were stripped of their Empire Zone status to save money.
Right now, Lewis County lawmakers are fighting to get the windfarm’s status back, and the issue will be heard by state leaders.
“We’re reviewing that particular appeal. They’re going through an appeal process with the Empire Zone designation,” says Empire State Development chair Dennis Mullen. “The board is meeting on the 15th of December as I understand it right now, so we’ll have a better answer at that particular point in time.”
The Empire credit cuts made by New York state add up to about $92 million.
The Maple Ridge Windfarm makes up a large percentage of those cuts.
WWNY TV 7
21 November 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
Some possibly related stories:
- Zone benefits to be voided; Law firm, hydro company, Lewis County wind farm among businesses targeted
- Maple Ridge withholds payment; Lawsuit filed
- Wind farm revenue may take major hit; Leaders brace for $6.3m reduction if appeal fails
- Lewis County struggles with big budget woes
- State due to review appeals for EZ; Businesses seeking decertification reversal
- Lewis County panel asks for no spending increase
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