Maple Ridge Wind Farm is one of several farms in the state causing problems for the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Buffalo. Maple Ridge in Martinsburg, Harrisburg and Lowville has created interference for the service's Doppler radar in Montague. "It does pose a problem for the immediate Tug Hill area," said David A. Zaff, meteorologist for the service. "The biggest problem is during a severe weather event."

The state Comptroller's Office is apparently viewing the High Sheldon Wind Farm as a good investment. The New York State Common Retirement Fund has invested $15 million in the project that became operational in March, officials announced Monday. ...But though High Sheldon has its supporters, the project has also generated numerous complaints from some residents.

The New York State Common Retirement Fund invested $15 million in Invenergy's High Sheldon Wind Farm, located in Wyoming County, through Credit Suisse Customized Fund Investment Group, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced Monday.

The new study was done by Paul D. Schomer of Schomer & Associates Inc., Champaign, Ill. Mr. Schomer is chairman of the International Organization for Standardization working group on environmental noise and chairman of the American National Standards committee on noise, among other leadership roles in noise measurement. The finding contradicts the studies done by Hessler Associates Inc., Haymarket, Va., for the draft environmental impact statement of BP Alternative Energy's Cape Vincent Wind Farm and supplemental draft environmental impact statement of Acciona Energy North America's St. Lawrence Wind Farm.

New York Regional Interconnect Inc. is seeking help from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to revive plans for a large electrical transmission line from Marcy in Oneida County to New Windsor in Orange County. In two years of meetings and hearings, the proposed line was condemned by most local residents, officials and activists, who deemed it unnecessary, too expensive, and a threat to health and property values.

The National Weather Service says a wind farm in Wyoming County is interfering with its doppler radar at the Buffalo Airport. ...Unfortunately, the Wyoming county wind farms and their turbines are within the radar line of sight (RLOS) of the NWS doppler radar in Cheektowaga. ...At this height, the rotating turbine blades of the wind farm impact the KBUF Doppler Radar beam.

Wind energy was the main topic of discussion at the June 10 Ashford Town Board meeting. Gary Davidson from Horizon Wind Energy was on hand to clarify concerns from the council members. Davidson noted that Horizon's proposed project would be a 20 megawatt development consisting of between nine and 13 turbines located in the Dutch Hill ridge area, which would tie in to the transmission line on Ashford Hollow Road.

Less than two months after he stood outside, in Buffalo's windswept Inner Harbor, New York State Power Authority president and CEO Richard Kessel came to the Falls on Tuesday to say plans for the Great Lakes Offshore Wind project are moving forward fast. "We have had 14 requests for expressions of interest (in developing offshore wind energy projects)," Kessel said.

After a month of negotiation, Cohocton town officials are expecting a settlement with wind developer First Wind to the tune of $635,000. The Cohocton town board gave a tentative OK to the agreement to fix up town roads damaged by construction equipment at Monday night's board meeting, but there are a few minor issues left to iron out, said town Supervisor Jack Zigenfus.

Tensions are rising between those who support wind turbines in the town and those who do not, with at least one threatening phone call made and several signs vandalized. "It just seems we're all caught up in this whirlwind," said Del C. Hamilton, a member of Concerned Residents of Hammond, a grass-roots organization opposed to wind turbines.

Comments on the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm submitted to the state Department of Environmental Conservation criticize the project's effects on birds and animals and ask for public access. DEC collected 22 written comments on the draft environmental impact statement submitted by Galloo Island developer Upstate NY Power Corp. Oral comments were taken at two public hearings May 18. As lead agency, DEC collects comments and then determines whether the draft statement is complete.

Bath town board members last week took the first step towards a moratorium on commercial wind farm developments, directing town attorney Jeffrey Squires to draw up a local law establishing a six-month ban on commercial wind turbines. The unanimous vote came one month after town Supervisor Fred Muller asked board members to consider a moratorium.

Under the proposed regulations, noise levels also would need to fall to 40 decibels at receptors, such as dwellings or businesses. The ministry said a turbine with a sound power level of 106 decibels would have to meet a setback of 950 meters, or about 3,100 feet, from the nearest house or business.

Elizabeth Booth wants the Arkwright Town Board to "go no further" with the Horizon Wind Farm development until the company agrees to sign a Wind Code of Ethics. At Monday's town board meeting, Booth said two companies operating in Chautauqua County which she identified as Noble Environmental Power and First Wind, have signed this code developed by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

The town of Hartsville is exercising its rights for more control over a environmental impact statement that will be done in connection to wind farm studies. Supervisor Steve Dombert said the town board unanimously passed a resolution to make a formal request to the Department of Environmental Conservation.

The big blades have been welcomed by many, including Gov. Jennifer Granholm, as they've gone up in the farm fields of Huron County in recent years. But a handful of people who live near some of the 46 turbines at a wind park in Bingham and Sheridan townships are now complaining about ongoing noise and rumble from the 300-foot-tall renewable energy generators.

The incentive money has been approved and the cement foundation has been poured for Mexico's first wind turbine, which is expected to be operating at some point this summer. The turbine will be erected on state Route 69 in the yard of Mexico resident, Vito Fleming, who anticipates experiencing a tall order of savings from the structure that will power his home.

The board of directors of the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency is expected to review a proposed agency policy Tuesday that will establish how much industrial-scale wind farms must pay to local taxing authorities during their incentive periods. The IDA provides tax exemptions for 10 to 15 years, along with other incentives, to developers seeking assistance and conduit loans.

The company has a detailed complaint resolution process which it made available Thursday to The Daily News. It also has a 24-hour telephone hotline for reporting turbine issues. "We encourage people if they have a concern that they should call that number, and we check it daily," said Project Manager Eric Miller. "We keep a log of who calls."