April 1, 2018
New York

Wind power may be coming to Oswego

By Brandon Wood | The Palladium-Times | Mar 31, 2018 | www.oswegocountynewsnow.com

HOUNSFIELD – A proposed 30-turbine wind farm at Galloo Island in Jefferson County would connect to Oswego through a 33-mile long transmission cable in Lake Ontario.

The project, which has been in the works by Apex Clean Energy since late 2015, would generate approximately 110 megawatts, enough to power about 35,000 U.S. homes. Project Manager Neil Habig said the hope is to have the wind farm up and running by 2019 or 2020 as it’s still early in the process.

The cost of the project, called Galloo Island Wind, will be approximately $200 million in private investment.

The cable, which is planned to be both buried in the lakebed or laid on the lakebed at different points, is proposed to connect to a utility grid on Mitchell Street in Oswego.

Habig said “there are still a few hurdles,” to jump through before construction can begin, noting the site will need permits pertaining to a whole array of topics, including the project impacts on traffic, wildlife, sound and vibration to go along with socio-economic studies.

The Galloo Island Wind website, gallooislandwind.com, states “wind energy’s benefits for consumers are well documented,” adding it displaces more expensive forms of energy in the grid and drives down electricity prices.

The website also states the benefit of the project to Jefferson County in the near-term with construction jobs and local purchasing of materials plus services.

“In the long term, the project promises to bring sustained municipal revenues to communities and local government, as well as 20 years of local purchasing, employment, and investment,” the website states.

Habig described Galloo Island as “a very windy place,” and an ideal location for a wind farm.

In 2013, a proposed 230-megawatt wind turbine farm planned at Galloo Island was dismissed by a judge for inactivity and a burdensome impact on local agriculture.

The project had been halted for nearly three years after the request to construct a 50.6-mile electric transmission line from Galloo Island to the Fitzpatrick-Edic Substation in Mexico was filed in January 2009.

Part of Upstate Power’s plan was to construct power lines through Oswego County, according to a county legislator at the time, which he claimed would have substantially damaged farms and communities in the area.

In 2010, the corporation requested that the application for a land-based route be suspended while it investigated a sub-aquatic route between Galloo Island and the town of New Haven.

The company produced little information on this possibility, though, during a January 2011 conference call, and had proven unable to secure a power-purchase agreement.

Should Galloo Island Wind obtain the necessary permits, the public and officials from towns and villages affected would have their opportunity to comment on the matter.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/04/01/wind-power-may-be-coming-to-oswego/