April 15, 2016
New York

Orleans imposes 6-month moratorium on wind projects

WWNY TV 7 | Story Published: Apr 15, 2016 | www.wwnytv.com

Town of Orleans residents met Thursday to discuss the future of wind power in the town.

That’s because of a request from Iberdrola Renewables to build a controversial wind farm along the St. Lawrence River.

Town officials say the last time the town addressed wind technology was in 2011. Five years later that legislation is out of date with the current wind technology.

This technology is something town officials need help understanding, which they say is something Iberdrola isn’t doing.

“I just don’t understand how everyone doesn’t just tell everyone what’s going on,” town Supervisor Kevin Rarick said. “If everything was going to be transparent and clear, just be transparent and clear.

That’s why the town board voted on a moratorium that gives the town and Iberdrola six months to discuss the wind projects.

Iberdrola representatives attending the meeting say the moratorium isn’t needed.

“My personal opinion and Iberdrola’s opinion is that this wasn’t necessary, but it is their prerogative and we respect that,” said Jeff Reinkemeyer, Iberdrola’s director of Eastern Renewables Development:

Some town residents say it’s better to be patient – that time is just what they need.

“It is all about communication between the developers and the town, itself, and the people who have to live adjacent to these wind test towers,” Patricia Booras-Miller said.

The town board says it will revisit the issue of wind power in six months.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/04/15/orleans-imposes-6-month-moratorium-on-wind-projects/