June 12, 2008
New York
New York
The town board reluctantly voted 4-1 to pursue negotiations with Empire State Wind Energy on Monday.
“This is great news after much discussions,” said board member Dan Engert who reported that April Gow, Dudley Chaffee and Randall J. Wayner initially objected to pursue further efforts with the wind energy company from Oneida.
“The turning point came when I suggested that the board has a responsibility to pursue economic development opportunities for our resident’s and there is no harm in driving the discussions,” Engert said. “I reminded the board that (in 2007) they resolved to facilitate, in every conceivable way possible, an agreement with this company.”
A letter was forwarded to Keith Pitman, the CEO of Empire State Wind Energy, Supervisor Richard J. Meyers said. The town proposed a new financial arrangement where it would assume less risk in a tradeoff for less profit.
Pitman was out in the field on Wednesday and could not be reached for comment.
By Bill Wolcott
11 June 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/06/12/somerset-board-reaches-out-to-gather-the-wind/