Wind Power News: New York
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
East Hampton Town board majority supports wind farm over objections of Lys, Bragman
Two East Hampton Town councilmen said on Tuesday that they will vote to deny the application by Deepwater Wind to land the South Fork Wind Farm power cable in Wainscott if it comes up for a vote—and they implored the rest of the Town Board to put off a decision on the proposal until a more comprehensive review of the project has been completed. But the wind farm project still seems likely to win ultimate approval from the Town Board, . . . Complete story »
Fishermen: wind farms bad for business
Federal officials in charge of leasing ocean bottom land to offshore wind farm companies got an earful at a meeting with commercial fishermen Wednesday – and much of it was R-rated. There isn’t merely significant opposition to offshore wind farms; there is 100-percent agreement among the fishermen that the wind turbines will eventually put them out of business. The anger is palpable, and representatives from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management took the brunt of it, enduring a tirade of complaints. . . . Complete story »
Deepwater Wind offers offshore information, fishermen want compensation
Deepwater Wind is trying to keep fishermen happy while it builds more offshore wind facilities. The latest effort aims to protect commercial fishing gear, but fishermen and their advocacy groups want broader protections for the fishing grounds and their livelihood. The Providence-based company recently announced a program to inform fishermen of where and when construction and other work occurs at the site of three wind facilities and their electric cables. The offshore wind developer hired liaisons to offer dockside information . . . Complete story »
Jenne criticizes Republican senators for not supporting bill limiting wind turbines near Drum — senators disagree
During an interview on Tuesday, state Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, said that the responsibility for the failure of her bill that attempted to block wind development near Fort Drum rested partially on local Republican state senators. Ms. Jenne said she discussed the bill with Sens. Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, and Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, and if either had introduced the bill concurrently it would have had a better chance in the Assembly. “Neither of the senators introduced the bill . . . Complete story »
Villenova Town Board tables windmill vote
VILLENOVA – Following the county planning board’s decision to table its recommendation to the Hanover and Villenova town boards regarding the proposed amendments to the Ball Hill Wind Project, the Villenova Town Board passed a resolution granting the county an extension until July 30. Although Villenova’s contentious public hearing on June 26 revealed a rather divided community, Town Supervisor Richard Ardillo said that Wednesday night’s town board meeting was very calm and respectful. “I would say there were about 20 to . . . Complete story »
Attorney prods Farmersville on emails with Alle-Catt Wind Farm developer
FARMERSVILLE – One of the attorneys representing Farmersville residents opposed to the proposed Alle-Catt Wind Farm is challenging Farmersville Town Board members’ refusal to disclose emails from the developer. Gary Abraham, an environmental attorney working with Ginger Schroder, an attorney living in Farmersville, wrote the town last week to say the exemption to the Open Meetings Law the board cited did not apply. Schroder said Saturday the town’s refusal of her Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request on emails between town . . . Complete story »
East End forum on potential offshore wind turbine sites turns tense
A public forum on potential offshore wind farm sites turned tense as East End commercial fishing representatives railed against the renewable energy source and its potential impact on their industry. The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in April released maps for possible lease sites including two large swathes off eastern Long Island’s southern coast, one south of Great South Bay and one off the coast of New Jersey, all in what’s known as the New York Bight area. The . . . Complete story »
Jenne: Politics sunk wind power bill
North country assemblywoman Addie Jenne says politics played a role in scuttling a law she proposed that would have limited state subsidies to wind turbine farms in much of northern New York. Jenne’s bill would have discouraged the construction of wind turbines near Fort Drum, in part of Lewis County and in a wide swath of St. Lawrence County, by eliminating subsidies in some cases. It never got to a final vote in either the assembly or state senate in . . . Complete story »
County Planning Board tables decision on wind project
MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Planning Board decided to table its decision regarding a proposed amendment to the Ball Hill Wind Energy Project in the towns of Villenova and Hanover. The change in local zoning laws would allow wind turbines to go from 495 feet to 599 feet in maximum height, taller than any land-based turbines in the country. The potential precedent-setting decision has come under intense opposition from some area residents who fear taller wind turbines would mean increased shadow . . . Complete story »
Farmersville United disappointed in proposed town wind law
FARMERSVILLE – The president of Farmersville United, a group of local residents opposed to the proposed Alle-Catt Wind Farm, expressed disappointment in the wake of action by the Farmersville Town Board on Monday. At a work session on changes to the existing Farmersville Wind Turbine Law, town board members agreed to setbacks and maximum noise levels. It will now go to the Cattaraugus County Planning Board for review. However, the board decided to revert back to the 50 decibel level (dBA) . . . Complete story »
