National Wind Watch: Wind Energy News » Planning board recommends one-year moratorium on wind projects in Clayton

The Jefferson County Planning Board on Tuesday voted to recommend that the Clayton Town Board extend its proposed moratorium on wind projects from six months to one year.

David Prosser, chairman of the Jefferson County Planning Board, said it has been more appropriate for moratorium proposals to cover a year so town and residents have more time to discuss such projects and wait for a comprehensive project plan. Board members agreed that the town could end up seeking an extension after the six months anyway.

“We’ve found that six months is usually not enough to accomplish those goals,” Mr. Prosser said.

The project in question is the proposed Horse Creek wind farm proposed by Iberdrola Renewables. The project would be built in Clayton and is expected to incorporate the towns of Orleans, Lyme and Brownville. The developer has said it will soon start its pre-application process for a state-required Article 10 review of its still-undefined project. The town of Orleans passed its own six-month moratorium last week.

The Clayton Town Council held off on its decision to impose the moratorium during its meeting last Wednesday, instead opting to hear from the Jefferson County Planning Board first.

Clayton residents had said during the Town Board meeting that a moratorium would allow more time for the exploration of other options and environmental impact studies.