July 12, 2007
New York
New York
Plans to put wind turbines on two Steuben County hills moved another step forward Wednesday night.
The town planning board gave the developer UPC Wind three permits. These are not permits to build wind turbines. They’re permits for towers that measure wind speed to make sure the site is good for a turbine. Eventually turbines will go on the Cohocton and Dutch Hills.
The entire project still doesn’t have the green light. Many people who live in the area are still very divided over the issue.
“I believe they should go ahead with it. Save us tax dollars. Get the dog gone thing on the road,” says Ted Liddiard of North Cohocton.
“We’re hoping they never issue special use permits based on windmill law number 3 which says the law was passed illegally and they’ll have to go back to the drawing board,” says James Hall who opposes the project.
Planning board members admit the project has divided the town but still believe it’s the right decision.
“Little by little I think people are coming around to it. I really do. I mean we’ve looked into this extensively, and I think in the end people will think we’ve done a pretty good job,” says Ray Schrader, Co-Chair of the Planning Board.
Before these measuring towers can go up UPC Wind still needs building permits. But that’s expected to happen within days.
Before the actual wind turbines can be approved a site plan still needs approval. Schrader says that is still weeks away.
By: Leigh Kjekstad
11 July 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/07/12/windfarm-plans-in-cohocton/