The Alle-Catt Wind Farm in northern Cattaraugus and Allegany counties could end up costing more than the lease payments, host fees and P.I.L.O.T.s highlighted by the developer, according to an attorney for wind farm opponents.

General New York

Right before there is an earthquake, animals run from the epicenter. This is because they hear frequencies below the range of human hearing, and because they feel the vibrations. If only we were so good at detecting danger.

Impact on People New York

“Deepwater is looking for us to memorialize a lease agreement, but we don’t think we have enough details about what that entails to do that yet,” Mr. Bock said. “The town did road easements with them, and there’s probably a template for that, but we don’t have anything like that for landing a cable at a public beach. What if the cable becomes exposed? What about the concerns of EMFs and fish migrations? Those are major concerns for us. I and some other Trustees think we can probably deal with some of that within the lease.” 

Offshore Wind Transmission New York

After the public spoke, the resolution came down the line for a final vote that would adopt local laws increasing the maximum height and required setbacks for the turbines, amending the wind overlay district in the town and granting Ball Hill’s application for modification of its special use permit. The motion was given, seconded, and all four councilpersons and the town supervisor all voted no.

Zoning/Planning New York

[N]ot everyone out here is impressed by Deepwater’s plans, or by Grybowski, or his whale. “The only thing green about this project is the money that’s going to end up in a bunch of hedge funders’ pockets,” says Bonnie Brady, executive director of the Long Island Commercial Fishing Association, who has been battling the plan since it was announced in July of 2016. “We don’t know what these windmills, or their high-powered transmission lines, will do to our fish. All we’re asking is, let’s take time to do this right, not rush it.”

Offshore Wind New York

"Fifty-three percent of the people who are going to be paying for these turbines aren’t going to benefit from them,” said Ken Girardin, a policy analyst at the Empire Center. “That is to say 53-percent of the money is going to come from rate payers north of New York City, in upstate.”

Impact on Economy New York

Cattaraugus County lawmakers will vote Wednesday on a resolution urging the Industrial Development Agency not to grant a payment in lieu of taxes (P.I.L.O.T.) agreement for projects like the Alle-Catt Wind Farm. ...The resolution is advisory in nature, urging the IDA not to grant a P.I.L.O.T. for wind energy projects larger than 5 megawatts.

Taxes & Subsidies New York

A crowd of about 150 people were at the 3 p.m. public hearing on the Galloo Island wind project held Tuesday before members of the state siting board at the Henderson Fire Department community room.

General New York

A supermajority vote is needed to pass the elimination of one of two substations and placing the five-plus mile interconnect line underground as opposed to overhead.

Zoning/Planning New York

Because the Chautauqua County Planning Board voted to disapprove the proposed amendments, Hanover, like Villenova, is in the position of needing a supermajority approval (four out of five members voting yes) to pass the proposed amendments. 

Zoning/Planning New York

SACKETS HARBOR — Hounsfield town officials and the developer behind the Galloo Island Wind project have teamed up to host support rallies Tuesday before state information and public statement forums.

General New York

The Farmersville Town Board has cancelled a public hearing on its proposed wind turbine law set for Monday night because the Cattaraugus County Planning Board has not reviewed the plan. Additionally, Cattaraugus County lawmakers are waiting to see how their proposed resolution blocking large-scale wind energy projects will be received.

Zoning/Planning New York

The next decision regarding the Ball Hill wind project lies with the town board of Hanover, who must also have a supermajority board approval to pass the amendments to their six proposed turbines. In the words of one crowd member, “This isn’t over.”

General New York

Feds sought to help New York's wind initiatives

Offshore Wind USA New York

The Trustees are expected to hold an executive session during a meeting next Monday to discuss hiring special counsel to represent the body in negotiations over a community benefits package being floated by Deepwater Wind in connection to a request by the firm to land the South Fork Wind Farm power cable off Beach Lane in Wainscott. In order to do that, Deepwater Wind needs to secure easements from both the East Hampton Town Board and East Hampton Town Trustees.

Offshore Wind New York

Mark Twichell, DDS, of Fredonia has reached out to Mark Geise, CEO of the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, to ask him to repeal the approved PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement for the Ball Hill wind project. ...Twichell expressed his concern that wind company RES’ proposal to use larger machines constitutes a different project than that which was originally negotiated. 

Taxes & Subsidies New York

New York state ratepayers will pick up the tab for the Cuomo Administration’s multi-billion dollar plan to jump-start the offshore wind industry, but most won’t benefit from the energy produced. Only consumers in Long Island and New York City will be able to access the wind-powered energy that’s going to be generated in the waters off the state’s Atlantic coast in the years to come.

Offshore Wind New York

Just a few years after the New York State Thruway Authority spent about $5 million on five turbines, four of them stand dormant. And a spokesperson indicated the Thruway Authority does not know when they will become operational again. ..."We're working with the manufacturer to get replacement parts," Givner said. 

General New York

Offshore Wind New York

Councilwoman Sarah LoMonto currently has a lease agreement with RES, and has recused herself from the voting process. Recently, multiple individuals came to Villenova resident Tina Graziano, whose husband, Angelo, is a former Villenova councilman. They expressed to Graziano their concern that Councilman Nathan Palmer has a conflict of interest, as his wife’s parents and her sister have lease agreements with RES.

General New York