Wind power project: Legislators wait for Jefferson County to make decision
Members of the Oswego County Legislature are waiting for the Jefferson County Legislature to make a decision on a payment-in-lieu-of-tax (PILOT) agreement for the Galloo Island wind-power project.
The two governments recently approved a joint resolution asking Upstate Power to relocate the proposed lines to the bottom of Lake Ontario.
A 230-kilovolt line has been proposed to run from Galloo Island in the Jefferson County Town of Hounsfield through the towns of Henderson, Ellisburg, Sandy Creek, and Richland, as well as the Village of Pulaski, to a proposed substation and interconnection with existing transmission lines in Mexico.
Upstate Power has proposed to construct a wind farm on Galloo Island, off the shore in Hounsfield, along with a new power line with the capability of transporting 1,000 megawatts south to assist the needs of downstate consumers.
Lawmakers are urging that the lines be buried underground, and preferably under water, to preserve the aesthetics and economic-development potential of their communities. They further claim that there is no benefit to the counties for hosting the lines.
Former State Senator and U.S. Ambassador H. Douglas Barclay spoke at a recent public hearing held at the Pulaski High School. Barclay, who is representing Oswego County Legislature Chairman Barry Leemann in the matter, stated that the county has already done its share in generating power for downstate.
“Oswego County has done its part in power generation for downstate,” he said. “It produces more electric power than any other county with three nuclear facilities and a gas generating plant and other generating facilities, including water power on the Salmon River.”
He continued, “Downstate wants us to produce its power so that it can shut down its plants, for example, Indian River nuclear plant. Oswego County has become the dumping ground for power generation for downstate, gaining few benefits. The county would welcome the fourth nuclear generator, which would solve the generation problem for downstate without having to construct more power lines.”
Barclay also spoke of the company’s plans to construct the lines elsewhere and the rejection of those alternate routes.
“There have been a number of alternatives suggested by Upstate—for example, the underwater line from Galloo to Scriba—but all rejected out of hand by Upstate as being too costly,” he said. “What is the rush? These alternatives must be studied in depth and not summarily dismissed.”
Barclay also pointed out the potential for excessive tax incentives for Upstate Power.
“The project may receive a 30-percent income-tax credit on the total cost of the project under the America Recovery Act and a multi-million-dollar real-property tax exclusion under a PILOT agreement with the Jefferson County IDA,” he noted. “Even if it costs more to go underwater or bury the lines through the Town of Richland, it is a good investment for the future. Burying all present lines is being planned downstate in Nassau County.”
The tax agreement is what concerns Oswego County lawmakers. The Jefferson County board has postponed making a decision on the 20-year tax deal until after the first of the year so that more information about the project can be obtained.
Data on subsidies, such as a 30-percent federal grant worth as much as $150 million to Upstate Power, are needed to assess the total value of the county subsidy and its necessity to the project, it was reported in Jefferson County newspapers.
Jefferson County legislators also want to know about the possible use of eminent domain on the 50.6 mile transmission line to carry power from the island to Henderson and then south to Oswego County, reports note.
The entire impact of the project is something Oswego County legislators want to know. as well. Legislators have expressed concerns in regard to the negative impact the visible transmission lines might have on the county’s tourism.
Northern Oswego County plays a major role in the economic impact within the county due to the fishing and snowmobiling industries. Legislators have expressed concern about possible adverse impact on area farmers.
Paul Forestiere, of Cornell Cooperative Extension, explained to legislators the scope of the proposed wind project at a Nov. 24 meeting. “The public has not really been informed,” Forestiere said. “The way it is proposed right now it’s going to be an absolute disaster to the farmers.”
Legislators said the company will not be eligible for any tax breaks in Oswego County, and there will be no benefit for the county to host the high-powered lines.
Legislators Doug Malone asked at a recent meeting if the company could provide some low-cost power to the county in exchange for hosting the lines.
Legislator Shawn Doyle, who has been working closely with Jefferson County officials, said that the law doesn’t provide for low-cost power to be offered for hosting the lines.
by Carol Thompson
Valley News
25 December 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
Some possibly related stories:
- County legislators watch Galloo Island wind project
- Joint resolution sought in wind power transmission line battle
- Jefferson County suspends wind-power PILOT vote
- Jefferson County board moves wind-tower PILOT to the floor
- County could be spared from hosting power lines
- Communities come together to oppose wind-tower project
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