July 16, 2007
New York
New York
What began as just a discussion and possibility back in March, is closer to becoming a reality for the village of Frankfort.
At a March 15 meeting of the Frankfort village Board of Trustees, the idea of putting wind turbines in the village was discussed. It was determined at that meeting that the village would look into the feasibility of doing such a project.
“With the cost of power and everything else going up, this could be a way of controlling costs,” said Mayor Frank Moracco. “We have to look at all our options and all alternative measures.”
After the initial discussion, the village hired Empire Wind, which then conducted a red flag analysis to determine if there were any aspects that would make wind power unfeasible in the village.
Empire Wind looked at computer models which determined wind speed in the village and access to the transmission grid.
After the red flag analysis was conducted, Empire Wind told the village that there was no reason a wind project couldn’t be conducted in the village, but officials should consider approaching the town of Frankfort about getting behind the project as well, since the project could very well expand to include the town.
The village is also subject to taxation from the town, whether or not the town is included in the project.
Moracco said the village is looking at putting the turbines on village property, but has no opposition to approaching the town about getting involved.
“We’ve always had a good relationship with the town so it’s worth seeing if they want to get involved,” Moracco said.
After the New York Power Authority advised the village that electric rates may increase, village officials decided it was time to take a serious look at the possibility and feasibility of these turbines.
Officials from Empire Wind told the village that they would be interested in putting a preliminary contract in front of the board, but first the village should do hold internal discussions and decide if it wants the town involved.
Moracco said that he will contact the town board and get the item on the agenda for a future town meeting to discuss what the village wants to accomplish with the wind turbines and see if the town is interested in getting involved.
By Kim Dunne
Telegram Staff Writer
16 July 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/07/16/study-finds-wind-turbines-for-frankfort-are-feasible/