October 15, 2020
New York

Port Cortlandt pulls plan for wind turbine plant, dock

By Lanning Taliaferro, Patch Staff | Oct 14, 2020 | patch.com

CORTLANDT, NY – An ambitious project to build and ship offshore wind turbines from industrial Cortlandt waterfront property has been halted by its developers due to opposition from the community.

The plan for revitalizing “one of Westchester County’s most valuable and untapped Hudson River access points” just south of Indian Point, where the nuclear facility closes for good in April, was put together by a consortium of Hudson Valley developers and planners.

The proposal for Port Cortlandt would have taken advantage of New York’s plan to invest up to $200 million in port infrastructure improvements and the state’s goal of promoting and using wind energy. It would also have put an industrial facility in Cortlandt at a time when the town is losing the Indian Point nuclear facility, its largest employer and a substantial part of its revenues.

Town Supervisor Linda Puglisi said she opposed the project after reviewing the plans.

“I realized how large this private project would be (200,000 sq. ft., 50 ft. high) and also that the Town had purchased these 99 acres a few years ago for recreation and for its own municipal uses,” she told Patch in an email. “The hamlet of Verplanck in Cortlandt was opposed to this project, as well, because it would significantly impact their lives. I congratulate the residents for their comments to oppose this project. I am forming a committee with Councilman Frank Farrell, who also opposed this project earlier with me and with Verplanck residents to plan together for these riverfront properties owned by the town.”

The developers said their decision to withdraw came after a year’s worth of meetings, public presentations, site tours, and lots of revisions to the project, which would have included manufacturing, fabrication, and other supply-chain services, plus shipping and port facilities – there is a deep-water channel.

“Our team worked hard to respond to and incorporate the Town’s and community’s feedback at every stage,” they said in a letter to town officials. “We repeatedly updated site plans, illustrative renderings, and technical analyses, and we remain certain that sustainable, large-scale clean energy is a key component of New York’s future. With the challenges of Zoom meetings and lack of in-person workshops, the ability to communicate this were limited. However, out of our overwhelming respect for the local community, and in consideration of the invaluable perspectives shared with our team, we will suspend our efforts at this time.”

They said they worked on making possible public access to the waterfront and other parts of the town-owned property, visual mitigation measures for the proposed 45-foot-tall manufacturing building. They also prepared an FAQ addressing concerns raised in recent public forums and meetings.

“We appreciate the time and consideration shown to us throughout this process, and wish the Town and its constituents nothing but the best of fortunes for the redevelopment of this property and others that may come before you,” they said. “We were inspired by many supporters who shared our vision to promote large-scale renewable energy to address climate change, create local jobs/significant economic opportunities, and secure additional long-term revenues for the Hendrick Hudson School District.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2020/10/15/port-cortlandt-pulls-plan-for-wind-turbine-plant-dock/