October 18, 2006
New York

Salamanca To Study Wind Turbine

The feasibility for wind turbine installation at the city Board of Public Utility’s Newton Run reservoir property will be studied.

Keith King, BPU general manager, said the BPU owns 850 acres at the site, and, he said, all that is occurring there is the growth of trees. The study will examine the feasibility of installing the turbines so power generated could be sold and money made off the land.

King said the idea is “˜”˜very preliminary,” but, would look at land use at the site. King said the market for selling power is good, and, he said, interest-free loans are available for turbine installation. The study is expected to be complete by winter.

Another study was also approved during the BPU monthly meeting Monday.

The Seneca Territory Gaming Corp. has asked the city’s BPU to treat loads from the Seneca Allegany Casino. The corporation was considering building its own treatment plant, but asked the BPU to build it. The BPU board of directors will pay URS Corp. $20,000 to review the request and how it would affect operations. The study is expected to take about two months.

The temporary Seneca Allegany Casino, built in the city’s midst, opened in May 2004. A permanent gaming floor is expected to open in December, and an 11-story hotel with spa and three new restaurants will open in March. The temporary casino will become an entertainment complex.

King said the casino may qualify under the new Economic Development Program proposed by the New York Power Authority. The board approved participation in the program, called Juice for Jobs, during its Monday session. He said if jobs are created by industry or tourism, the authority will offset costs associated with additional power needed for a new business coming into a municipality that participates in the program. The BPU purchases additional power than what it is allotted by the authority. The additional amounts, known as purchased power adjustments is split amongst BPU customers.

By Sharon Turano

post-journal.com


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/10/18/salamanca-to-study-wind-turbine/