The wind farm proposed for Galloo Island has met strong resistance from people in Jefferson County. Now legislators say they have an option that would minimize some of the opposition. Our Katie Gibas explains this option and its pros and cons.

Impact on Landscape Transmission New York

The heated debate in Jefferson County over the location of a proposed transmission line carrying power from a wind farm on Galloo Island is emblematic of the problem confronting wind power development nationwide. Building the wind farms, as controversial as they may be, is one thing; getting the power to the electric grid is another. And that is proving to be the weak link in the push for wind as an alternate energy source.

Transmission USA New York

Jefferson County legislators will consider Tuesday asking that the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm transmission line be run completely underwater to Oswego County, rather than running over 20 miles of land in southern Jefferson County. Legislator Barry M. Ormsby, R-Belleville, said he's going to offer a resolution to ask the Public Service Commission to "give serious consideration to the aquatic line versus the above-land option." ...On Friday, Upstate NY Power said it will investigate the underwater route further.

Transmission New York

Landowners in Henderson and Ellisburg are charged up over the proposed transmission line for Galloo Island Wind Farm. They voiced their displeasure with the plan during public hearings for the Public Service Commission on Monday morning and evening in Henderson and Belleville. In fact, none of the about 50 speakers at Monday's hearings supported the project. Upstate NY Power Corp., the developer for the entire project, is seeking to build a 50.6-mile, 230-kilovolt transmission line.

Transmission New York

Roseanna Cherrington became nervous when she received a letter from the Bonneville Power Administration asking permission to dig holes in her land. The federal BPA, the Pacific Northwest's largest power marketer, is exploring a plan to build a 500-kilovolt transmission line running about 70 miles from Castle Rock to Troutdale, Ore., to meet growing power demand in the area. The BPA is looking to string the line between a series of steel towers, each about 80 to 150 feet tall.

Transmission New York

In addition [to] local approval and state and federal permits, the proposed St. Lawrence Wind Farm will need an act of the state Legislature to run a transmission line to a substation outside of Chaumont. ...About 1.6 miles will be through Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area in Cape Vincent and Lyme. The state Department of Environmental Conservation controls the area.

Transmission New York