It could be the 11th hour for the Town Council, so it has decided to move ahead with an amendment to the zoning law for wind energy development. The proposed law does not contain overt restrictions on sound, either by an absolute number or by a number relative to ambient noise levels. That upsets members of the Wind Power Ethics Group, which has opposed proposed wind developments in the town and actions by town boards that have conflicts of interest. ..."It's a general policy," said Clifford J. Schneider, who is a former DEC fisheries biologist and has published peer-reviewed articles on acoustics. "But the policy never got down to specifics on measuring background sounds."

As wind energy sweeps through the county, Sheridan officials are looking to adopt legislation to regulate potential wind energy conversion system (WECS) projects within the town. ...Due to the topography of Sheridan - no vast open spaces or rolling hills, but a busy airport - Farnham explained the township is unique, making their focus on small, private WECS projects rather than commercial prospects.

A state Supreme Court judge likely will decide whether a town of Cape Vincent man can keep a personal wind turbine on his property. Roger D. Alexander, of 35157 County Route 7, filed an Article 78 action Tuesday at the Jefferson County Clerk's office against the town's Zoning Board of Appeals, asking that a judge reverse and annul a Sept. 14 decision by the board revoking a permit for the construction of a 92-foot turbine.

The Orleans Town Council canceled a wind power comment meeting that had been set for Oct. 21. The council had agreed to host the meeting after Horse Creek Wind Farm proponents balked at the recommendations from the town's Wind Committee for more restrictive zoning for commercial wind farms in the town. The council and committee discussed the recommendations at a meeting Sept. 17.

Roger D. Alexander can keep his 92-foot wind turbine, for now. Alan N. Wood, the town's zoning enforcement officer, said Mr. Alexander will be given another chance to appeal his case to the town's Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Wood said that he notified Mr. Alexander of his violation by mail last month and that a written response from Mr. Alexander's attorney, David B. Guertsen, arrived last week.

At Thursday's Orleans Town Council meeting, the town's Wind Committee submitted its second set of recommendations for wind turbine zoning. The first set had recommendations for noise rules and setbacks to avoid ice throw, turbine failure and flicker. These recommendations deal with other concerns, including well water disruption and radon exposure because of rock blasting.

Invenergy has formally submitted its application for a 59-turbine wind farm within the town. The Chicago-based company applied this past Friday to the town for a special use permit. ...The project -- much like the neighboring High Sheldon Wind Farm -- has already generated its share of controversy among town residents. Opponents and supporters are offering vocal opinions for and against the proposed development.

Vocal opposition to changing a wind power development zoning law in Clayton and Orleans has begun to solidify. Those who support the proposed Horse Creek Wind Farm, including many leaseholders, have balked at the changes that, according to developer Iberdrola Renewables, would eliminate the project. Iberdrola's 126-megawatt project would raise 56 turbines in Clayton and eight in Orleans.

The Orleans Town Council seemed most concerned with whether the Wind Committee's recommendations would still allow the proposed Horse Creek Wind Farm. ...Councilman Thomas A. Johnston said he looked at every parcel in the current wind overlay district, where project development is allowed. None of them had enough space to comply with the recommended setbacks and have room for turbines.

The town's Zoning Board of Appeals is standing by its decision that Roger D. Alexander's 92-foot-tall personal wind turbine is illegal. At a ZBA meeting Monday, Chairman Edward P. Bender said Mr. Alexander does not have to take his wind turbine down immediately. It's up to the Town Council to make that decision, he said.

The Arkwright Town Board spoke with one voice when it unanimously voted to table a Horizon Wind Energy waiver request. The request involved granting an easement on property Horizon has an option to purchase on Meadows Road that abuts the county owned Earl Cardot Overland Hiking Trail.

The Clayton Town Council agreed to keep the sound limitations and most of the setback recommendations from the Wind Committee and forward them to the town attorney to begin writing a new zoning law for wind power development. The council, meeting Wednesday night, held voice votes on all 16 recommendations forwarded from the committee. The only point dropped by the council was a recommendation to site turbines so there would be no flicker effect falling at road intersections.

The Orleans Wind Committee is calling on the Town Council to adopt stricter noise and setback regulations for wind power development. The committee submitted the first part of its recommendations, covering noise and setbacks, to council members at the end of July and publicly during the council's meeting last week. The second part, including recommendations on stray voltage, fire risks, water and aquifer effects, turbine lighting, radon and security, are still being finalized.

Village officials passed a moratorium Wednesday night that restricts any type of windmill, either commercial or personal, from being set up within village limits. Mayor Kenneth R. Clarke said he expects the moratorium to last about a year while the board develops a law that "protects people in the village." The decision came after the town of Denmark announced it was closer to setting a wind power zoning law.

The Prattsburgh town board took no action on a draft wind utilities law Tuesday, instead opting to review two draft laws, including one with changes approved by the board 4-0 in July. Councilwoman Stacey Bottoni objected to the July version saying it contained language she didn't like. But Councilman Steve Kula said the version contained changes Bottoni approved before leaving the meeting last month.

John L. Byrne, a town resident who was almost arrested for videotaping a Town Council meeting Thursday, should be allowed to tape the meetings, according to Robert J. Freeman, executive director of the state Committee on Open Government. ..."They are just trying to degrade the town board," Mr. Rienbeck said. "They're waiting for somebody, like me or the Planning Board chairman, Richard Edsall, to lose temper." For several years, the Town Council has been in conflict with the Wind Power Ethics Group.

A six-month moratorium on commercial wind development is now in place in the town of Bath, after the town council voted Monday night in favor of the temporary ban. The moratorium was one of a number of items before the board, including an update on the joint salt barn project between the town and village of Bath. The moratorium may also be extended up to an additional six months if needed, said Bath Town Supervisor Frederick Muller.

After about a year and a half of discussions, the Denmark Town Council is working to get a wind power zoning law on the books, possibly by next month. However, some Copenhagen residents, including the mayor, still have reservations about the plan. "I want to protect people in the village," Copenhagen Mayor Kenneth R. Clarke said Monday night at a public hearing on the proposed amendment to town zoning law.

Numbers fought philosophy during Monday's hearing on the proposed Dairy Hills Wind Farm environmental review. Supporters cited their sheer numbers during the public hearing meant to offer comments on the wind farm's supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement. In the meantime, opponents argued that subsidies, potential loss of property value and other negatives would hurt the town.

Planning Board members and alternates have a wide range of views on what shape a wind development zoning law should take. The town-appointed Wind Committee submitted its recommendations on a zoning law April 22. Planning Board members and alternates submitted comments on those recommendations in July.