October 21, 2020
New York

Broome County development agency votes ‘no’ on tax relief for proposed wind farm project

WBNG | October 21, 2020 | wbng.com

The board of the Broome County Industrial Development Agency, “The Agency”, voted against a $10.7 million tax relief for the proposed Bluestone Wind Farm in eastern Broome County. The vote was 5 to 3.

Initially, the project was expected to create more than 100 temporary jobs and seven full-time jobs. Those numbers fell to 70 temporary jobs and two full-time jobs.

Bluestone Wind LLC applied for a payment in lieu of a taxes grant that would have saved the company more than $10 million over 30 years.

Executive Director of The Agency Stacey Duncan says public opinion always plays a role in these decisions.

“We do have a required public hearing, and as well we always take comments from the community and any project and forward them to the board so I think it’s important to note that public comment and public opinion is something that is always a factor in every decision,” Duncan says.

In addition to economic and public concerns, board members say preserving the natural beauty of the area and keeping its appeal to tourist is a reason they voted no on the releif.

Bluestone could still seek out other forms of funding or the prject could be funded by the company itself.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2020/10/21/broome-county-development-agency-votes-no-on-tax-relief-for-proposed-wind-farm-project/