LOWVILLE - Lewis County has received only one-quarter of its requested $8.99 million payment from Maple Ridge Wind Farm, with the balance being held until its Empire Zone status is cleared up.

Flat Rock Windpower, the company under which the 195-turbine wind farm was developed, also is seeking court approval of a proposed escrow agreement that local taxing jurisdictions recently rejected - and the possible repayment of millions of dollars already sent to the county, towns and school districts.

Based on a 15-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes plan, the county billed Flat Rock for $8.99 million but received a payment of only $2.29 million, according to County Treasurer Vicki A. Roy. That amount is the fall-back payment required under terms of the PILOT if Empire Zone benefits are rescinded.

"Our position has been and remains that the jurisdictions are entitled to... [continue via Web link]