December 11, 2019
New York

New restrictions passed on controversial wind turbine project

Katie Jones | WBNG | December 10, 2019 | wbng.com

Residents, fighting what seemed an uphill battle against Texas-based developer Calpine, all to keep wind turbines out of eastern Broome County.

Calpine has developed a plan, known as the Bluestone Wind Project, to construct more than 25 wind turbines through the Towns of Sanford and Windsor.

“This was a great little town, and it’s very sad. While I have a lot of respect for those men who work here, it’s us who live with the consequences of this,” said Joanne McGibney, a member of the Broome County Concerned Residents (BCCR).

The project, some say, will have a benefit on the community.

“We have a working relationship with Calpine, who is the developer on this project. If they can just go ahead and build this project, they’re going to build it with 100 percent local union labor, so it’s going to not only be union labor, but local labor right here in Broome County,” said Michael Dundon, president of Laborers’ Local 785.

In a Town of Sanford board meeting, new restrictions were introduced to limit the distance turbines can be placed from personal property, and noise frequencies. Those restrictions passed, giving residents a new hope for the future.

“I’m totally against it, I’m hoping that these restrictions will limit the amount, and my hope is that they will go away,” said McGibney.

While residents won this battle, the war isn’t necessarily over yet. The New York State Siting Board is expected to make a decision on the project on December 16.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2019/12/11/new-restrictions-passed-on-controversial-wind-turbine-project/