Jefferson County board moves wind-tower PILOT to the floor

In a move that has implications for northern Oswego County, the Jefferson County Legislature's Finance and Rules Committee opted Tuesday evening to make no recommendations on a payment-in-lieu-of-tax agreement for the Galloo Island Wind Farm project. Instead, the committee sent the resolution to the full floor of its legislature.

The vote was a 3-3 tie with Jefferson County Legislature Chairman Kenneth Blankenbush breaking the tie in support of moving the resolution for all legislators to consider. In county governments, it is rare for the legislature chairman to vote at the committee level.

Only Legislator Morris Sorbello, who once served as the chairman, did so in Oswego County in the last decade.

The Jefferson County PILOT agreement is something Oswego County officials are watching very closely.

Upstate Power has proposed to construct a wind farm on Galloo Island, off the shore in Hounsfield, along with a new power line with the capability of transporting 1,000 megawatts south to service downstate consumers.

The 240-kilovolt line has been proposed to run from Galloo Island through the towns of Henderson, Ellisburg, Sandy Creek, and Richland, as well as the Village of Pulaski to a proposed substation and interconnection with existing transmission lines in Mexico.

The 20-year PILOT agreement, if passed by the Jefferson County board, could accelerate the project-a project Oswego County officials claim will ruin the aesthetics of one of the county's most prime and profitable tourist areas.

The Village of Pulaski has spent millions of dollars to place its infrastructure underground in an effort to preserve the aesthetics and enhance tourism and recreational opportunities. Northern Oswego County draws visitors from all over the United States and Canada for fishing and snowmobiling.

When contacted about Jefferson County's move Wednesday morning, Oswego County Legislature Chairman Barry Leemann said he had not heard about vote and would be seeking more information.

Leemann is being represented by former State Senator and U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador, H. Douglas Barclay. Barclay was said to be traveling and could not be reached for comment.

Legislator Shawn Doyle, who has been working with government officials from Jefferson County on the issue, said Oswego County legislators have not given up the battle to force Upstate Power to bury the lines underground or under water.

"I'm extremely disappointment but its not over with yet," he said. "We will continue to advocate and educate."

Several legislators from the county will be attending the Jefferson County meeting next Tuesday when the board is scheduled to vote on the PILOT agreement. Doyle, as well as legislators Margaret Kastler and Milferd Potter, have already committed to attend.

Those supporting to move the resolution to the floor included legislators Kent Burto, Carolyn D. Fitzpatrick, and James D. St. Croix, according to the Watertown Times.

Oswego County legislators are urging residents to contact members of the Jefferson County board.

Those in opposition, including many county residents, are concerned with the potential for adverse economic impact on the county.

Those who support the wind farm cite the construction jobs it would bring to the north country.

Meetings held in the Pulaski area have drawn few supporters for the proposal. If the lines were buried, some residents have indicated they would not be opposed to the project.

Oswego County officials said they were not expecting the Jefferson County board to move ahead with the PILOT agreement so quickly.

A meeting was held last Saturday at the H. Douglas Barclay court house in Pulaski with officials and residents from the tri-county area in attendance. Each county, with the exception of Oswego, had tourism representatives present to discuss the impact to their communities.

Doyle, Potter, and Ms. Kastler attended, as well as legislators Barbara Brown and Jack Proud.