Final review approved by SCIDA
The final review on a 25-turbine wind farm in the Town of Howard was approved Thursday by the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency, clearing the way for final town hearings and tax incentives.
Agency consultant Mark Taryien, of LaBella Associates, recommended the approval telling board members there were no remaining environmental concerns about the project proposed by EverPower Renewables.
Last-minute issues also had been resolved, said Russ Gaenzel, the agency's attorney. After an assurance the project would be monitored during construction, the board unanimously approved the final environmental statement.
The approval means the county agency can move forward in the next few months with public hearings and similar tax breaks for the EverPower construction.
Howard Town Supervisor Don Evia said final financial negotiations with EverPower should also begin within a few months.
The town planning board was scheduled to hold a public hearing Thursday night on the wind farm's site application.
EverPower's site plan shows the turbines will be set up south of the hamlet, along County Road 27 and Turnpike Road, and extending down into the Buena Vista area.
The Howard project is one of several proposed in rural regions throughout the country, with others planned in the towns of Cohocton, Prattsburgh and Hartsville.
Construction in Cohocton began last fall, with a number of turbines now set up but not operating.
The wind farms have been a source of controversy since the first one was proposed by Global Winds Harvest in Prattsburgh in late 2001. Supporters say the projects bring important revenues into small towns with limited tax bases, and provide a renewable source of energy.
Opponents argue the turbines are inefficient electrical generators, and threaten the human and natural environment in the towns.
Of the 16 participating landowners in Howard, listed by EverPower, 10 landowners live outside the town and four of the remaining residents are town officials or their relatives.
However, an attempt by Democrats and Independents to unseat incumbent Howard Town Board members are leaseholders failed in November.
Kevin Sheen, project manager for EverPower, said his firm is still negotiating leases.
"The leases are progressing," he said. "We're doing fine."