November 8, 2007
New York
New York
Another hurdle was cleared Wednesday for the Noble Chateaugay Windpark when the New York State Public Service Commission endorsed the 108-megawatt project.
“It’s another step in the process of getting the wind park fully permitted,” said Dan Boyd, Noble Environmental Power’s project manager in Chateaugay.
The next two phases are certificates from the State Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, he said.
Noble, based in Connecticut, plans to build 72 wind turbines and a new substation to connect to an existing New York Power Authority transmission line.
A neighboring project in the Town of Bellmont will include 14 turbines. Certification for that project is still pending before the commission, and it’s tied as an amendment to the previously approved Noble Ellenburg certification.
The commission, in granting a certificate of public convenience and necessity to Chateaugay, stated that it is satisfied that the project is in the public’s interest, the electrical-power grid is covered, and environmental management at the site is appropriate.
Noble estimates that the facility, once operational, will provide $152.9 million to the region during the next 20 years.
“One of Gov. Spitzer’s goals is to stimulate economic growth, increase energy diversity and promote a cleaner, healthier environment by generating electricity from renewable-energy sources,” Commission Chairwoman Patricia L. Acampora said in a news release.
The Chateaugay project “will provide clean and renewable supplies of electricity to the wholesale energy market.”
Noble intends to sell the power generated exclusively in the spot markets administered by the New York Independent System Operator or neighboring control areas. It will sell renewable-energy credits to purchasers such as green energy marketers, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority or other customers.
Boyd said 89 turbines are already in place in the Chateaugay and Bellmont wind parks.
By Denise A. Raymo
Staff Writer
7 November 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/11/08/chateaugay-wind-park-inches-closer/