January 7, 2015
New York

Town of Catlin changes course on wind farm proposal

By: Crystal Cranmore | Updated 01/06/2015 | centralny.twcnews.com

A Chemung County town has reversed course on a proposed wind farm. Just weeks after Catlin leaders considered banning wind turbines, officials are revisiting a plan that would allow them.

Lawmakers say the change of heart comes after learning that under “Article 10,” the state could override any local law, including a ban, if it’s deemed unnecessary.

NEXT-Era Energy wants to place about 30 turbines in Catlin and the neighboring town of Dix. Town officials claim the project will bring in additional revenue.

Some residents are against the wind farm proposal, citing health and safety concerns, as well as decreased property values. Leaders say they are redeveloping the proposed law that would pave the way for the wind turbines, but aims to address residents’ concerns.

“There’s health issues that has come up, more and more studies on health issues. There’s sleep deprivation problems. There’s low infrastructure sound waves that can affect a lot of people,” said LaVerne Phelps, the Town of Catlin supervisor.

“I moved to the country to have piece and quiet and now I wasn’t going to have that. But now, I have learned about a lot of the very bad health hazards, the hazards to the environment, the birds,” said Vicki Petris, a Catlin resident

Once the town’s planning board reviews the revisions to the proposed law, they will schedule another public hearing.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/01/07/town-of-catlin-changes-course-on-wind-farm-proposal/