THANKS TO ALL THE "GOOD" CITIZENS OF THE WAYLAND-COHOCTON SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE SCHOOL BUDGET AND THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN. THE BUDGET HAS PASSED. YOUR VOICES HAVE BEEN HEARD.

UPC Wind changes name

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By Bob Clark
The Evening Tribune
Thu May 01, 2008, 12:18 PM EDT

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Newton, Mass. -
There’s a new name on the Cohocton and Prattsburgh wind projects, but no change in operations should be seen.

UPC Wind became First Wind this morning, according to John Lamontagne, director of corporate communications for the company.

“Nobody knew about it because we didn’t tell anyone,” he said.

“It happened about an hour and a half ago,” Lamontagne added during a 9:30 a.m. phone call.

Company president and CEO Paul Gaynor posted a letter on the company’s Web site this morning, saying the name change should be good for the company.

“We believe this name change to First Wind more clearly reflects who we are as a company, and more clearly reflects our commitment to being a leader in clean, renewable energy development in North America,” he wrote. “Although our name has changed, our core values remain the same.”

According to the letter, the planning, construction and operation of the company’s projects will not change.

First Wind, as UPC Wind, was founded in 1995. The Newton, Mass.-based corporation is currently constructing a 50-turbine, 125-megawatt wind turbine project on Dutch, Lent, Pine and Brown hills near Cohocton, as well as a project in Prattsburgh.

Wind farm owner agrees to pay $14.5M
Town of Cohocton, 2 Steuben school districts to get payments in lieu of taxes. By Larry Wilson
lwilson@stargazette.com
Star-Gazette Corning Bureau

COHOCTON -- UPC Wind, developer of two Steuben County wind farms, has agreed to pay $14.5 million in lieu of taxes over the next 20 years.

The company announced the agreement with the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency on Monday.

The county agency will administer the payments, which will go to the town of Cohocton, the Wayland-Cohocton Central School District and the Avoca School District, UPC Wind said in a news release.

The agreement covers payments in lieu of taxes on the developer's Cohocton and Dutch Hill wind power projects.

Construction of the Cohocton project began last fall. When the Dutch Hill project is completed, a total of 50 2.5-megawatt wind turbines will produce enough power annually to supply 54,000 homes.

"We are pleased to have finalized our agreement with (Steuben County IDA) putting in place the second major component of our economic package for the town of Cohocton and surrounding communities," said Chris Swartley, director of business development for UPC Wind.

Swartley said the company also will pay the town of Cohocton $11.5 million over the first 20 years of the project as part of a "host" agreement.

James P. Sherron, chairman of the Industrial Development Agency, said the new agreement will help reduce pressure on property taxes, support the region's schools, strengthen local services and contribute to the overall welfare of the community.

"It is through agreements such as this that we can secure the new investment and job opportunities that will contribute to advancing the general prosperity of Steuben County," Sherron said.

UPC Wind said it made its first $725,000 payment under the host agreement to the town of Cohocton in January. The company said that offset about 30 percent of the town property tax levy.

"We applaud the completion of the second major component of the economic agreement between UPC Wind and the community," said Jack Ziegenfus, Cohocton town supervisor.

James Hall, a spokesman for windmill project opponent Cohocton Wind Watch, said the figures in the new agreement conflict with earlier information provided to the group by the Industrial Development Agency.

"A quick calculation on my part (from provided figures) shows the pilot comes to about $5.7 million," Hall said. "That's quite a stretch from the $14 million in their press release."

Hall said there is also an escape clause in the host community agreement that allows UPC Wind to pull out without paying under certain conditions.

Cohocton Wind Watch has gone to Steuben County Court in an effort to block both projects.

"We feel very confident ... special use permits issued by the Cohocton Planning Board will be revoked and the entire project will have to halt all construction," Hall said.

The wind farm developer is based in Newton, Mass.

As a reminder, unsigned comments to this blog will not be posted.

YES! WIND

Friday, November 30, 2007
New rural view: Area wind projects in various states of approval SCIDA looking at several next month by BOB CLARK

BATH - As Cohocton wind turbines are being built skyward, local projects are still on the road to final approval.

The Steuben County Industrial Development Agency will discuss projects in Cohocton and Howard at its next board meeting, Dec. 20, according to Executive Director Jim Sherron.

The board will mull over the final project resolution on the 51-turbine Cohocton and Dutch Hill projects at the meeting, and Sherron believes the board will put it to a vote.

“(UPC Wind) completed their final environmental impact findings,” Sherron said, adding only the Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreement is left before the board can look at approving the final resolution.

The PILOT agreement was discussed at the September board meeting, but was tabled after local union officials filed complaints that the lead contractor on the project, Mortenson Construction, was not hiring local workers for the project.

The SCIDA board also will look at results from a state environmental quality review study at the meeting from the 62.5-megawatt Howard Wind Project being developed by EverPower Renewables. EverPower signed a 10-year agreement with the Steuben Rural Electric Cooperative in the end of October to purchase power from the turbines when they are constructed.

One project that has been quiet lately is the proposed Airtricity project in Hartsville and Hornellsville. According to Sherron and Airtricity Project Manager Bob Sherwin, the project is currently stalled.

“The project is in hold for development,” Sherwin said, adding the company is still looking at the feasibility of the project.

“It's been pretty much inactive,” Sherron said. “They completed the scope of the review, but there has been no environmental impact statement.”

Airtricity, an Irish company that operates wind farms in the United States and three other North Atlantic countries, sold its North American division to E.ON, a German utility, for $1.4 billion in early October.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Giants rising: Towers going up in Cohocton by BOB CLARK

COHOCTON - Despite snow, rain and mud, wind turbine towers are starting to go up on top of Dutch Hill.

So far, contractors Mortenson Construction has only started assembling sections of one tower, but more are going up shortly, according to UPC Wind Public Outreach Coordinator Rick Towner.

“Three of the four main sections are up,” Towner said.

The tower sections on the site started going up Nov. 19. Site 2A is on top of Dutch Hill near the intersection of Dutch Hill Road and Fleishman Road.

Additional tower parts and rotor blades are being delivered daily to the sites, according to Towner, and most of the parts on-site already are at the 15 turbine sites on Dutch Hill. The parts have been stored off-site for months, with many turbine blades and tower sections sitting behind the 4M Complex in Dansville.

Most of the large concrete pads the 51 turbines will be anchored to have been poured, and some of the pads are ready for tower construction, according to Towner.

“I heard last week they will be done in three weeks,” he said.

The pads are 57-feet across and up to 15-feet thick in the center, according to Towner. Only a part of the pad, 16-feet across and two-feet high, will be above ground when topsoil is replaced.

Work on the sites began Sept. 18. Despite progress on the project and limited delays since the project began, there is no firm date for the completion of the work.

“Everybody asks that question,” Towner said, “and I have no date.”

The unpredictability of weather slows down construction, Towner said, adding high winds make it impossible to install rotors and upper tower sections.

“The plan is to continue all through winter,” Towner said.

Wind challengers blown away in Cohocton, Howard
By BOB CLARK - STAFF WRITER



COHOCTON - Despite challenges from residents upset with the way local governments have been run, incumbents in Cohocton and Howard blew the anti-wind tickets away Tuesday.

In Cohocton, incumbents won their re-election bids by majorities similar to those in the Republican Primary on Sept. 18. For the position of town supervisor, Republican incumbent Jack Zigenfus defeated Reform Cohocton challenger Judith Hall 506-210. Hall replaced Robert Strasburg after he was defeated by Zigenfus in September 323-142.

The results of the vote were not unexpected, according to Zigenfus and Hall.

“Obviously, I'm disappointed,” Hall said, “but it was expected in this town. I'm surprised more people didn't get out to vote in such a controversial election.”

“The numbers speak for themselves,” Zigenfus said. “We're going to continue to do what we think is the right thing to do.

“If I'm going to win, I want to win by people believing we're doing the right thing,” he added. “I don't want to win by 51 percent.”

Zigenfus said it was the largest majority he had won by in the four times he has run for the supervisor position.

In the town clerk race, seven-year Republican clerk Sandra Riley beat out Reform Cohocton challenger Blair Hall, 588-141. Incumbent Republican town Justice Hal Graham defeated Reform Cohocton candidate Stoner Clark, 511-190.



In the five-way race for two seats on the town board, Republican incumbents Milton LeVesque and Wayne Hunt held onto their seats with 426 and 410 votes, respectively. Reform Cohocton challengers Cesare Taccone and Stephen Trude earned 176 and 211 votes, respectively, and Democratic challenger Harold Kiesl finished with 146 votes.

Republican town Assessors Joanne Damobise and Mark Densmore also kept their jobs with 524 and 437 votes, respectively, while Reform Cohocton challengers Rebecca Conard earned 267 votes and Bonnie Palmiter received 186.

In Howard, the results were similar to those in Cohocton.

Republican town Clerk Loreen Karr kept her position against challenger Debra Hardy by a vote of 276 to 153.

Among the five candidates for the two town board seats, Republican incumbents William Hatch and Robert Palmer kept their positions with 202 and 179 votes, respectively. Democrat Garold Stewart received 152 votes, Independent Eric Hosmer received 113, and Democrat Charles Woodworth received 79 votes.

Town Supervisor Donald Evia won his unopposed bid for re-election with 230 votes.

“It think it was a good turn out for voters,” Karr said. “It was a good election.”

“We'll just see how things go,” Hardy said. “Maybe just by running, things will change.”

Unofficial results from the Steuben County Board of Elections show that all Cohocton Town incumbents retained their seats in yesterday’s election, defeating the Anti-Wind group supported Reform Cohocton Party. The Board of Elections reports that absentee ballots still needed to be counted, but with the numbers given there is little chance anyone will be unseated.



Through this election the people of Cohocton have showed overwhelming support for the UPC projects now under construction.




Cohocton

TOWN SUPERVISOR (2 Years) (Vote for ONE)

7A W. Jack Zigenfus - DEM 115

7B W. Jack Zigenfus - REP 365

7D W. Jack Zigenfus - CON 26

7E Judith Hall - RCO 210

Blank - 0

Void - 0



TOWN CLERK (2 Years) (Vote for ONE)

8A Sandra L. Riley - DEM 143

8B Sandra L. Riley - REP 397

8D Sandra L. Riley - CON 48

8E Blair K. Hall - RCO 141



TOWN JUSTICE (4 Years) (Vote for ONE)

9A Hal E. Graham - DEM 115

9B Hal E. Graham - REP 365

9D Hal E. Graham - CON 31

9E Stoner Clark - RCO 190



TOWN COUNCILMEN (4 Years) (Vote for ANY TWO)

10A Harold Kiesl - DEM 146

10B Milton R. LeVesque - REP 390

10D Milton R. LeVesque - CON 36

10E Cesare F. Taccone - RCO 176

11B Wayne R. Hunt - REP 381

11D Wayne R. Hunt - CON 29

11E Stephen H. Trude - RCO 211



Superintendent Of Highways (2 Years) (Vote for ONE)

12A Thomas A. Simons - DEM 121

12B Thomas A. Simons - REP 386

12D Thomas A. Simons - CON 44



ASSESSOR (4 Years) (Vote for ANY TWO)

13A Joanne Damboise - DEM 104

13B Joanne Damboise - REP 386

13D Joanne Damboise - CON 34

13E Rebecca Conard - RCO 175

14A Rebecca Conard - DEM 92

14B Mark P. Densmore - REP 403

14D Mark P. Densmore - CON 34

14E Bonnie Palmiter - RCO 186

UPC: Permits to be signed soon
By MARY PERHAM


Jason Cox | The Leader | Rick Towner, outreach coordinator for UPC, stands next to the 16-foot diameter base for a wind turbine at Site 1A at the Dutch Hill wind farm.
leaderbath@yahoo.com.

COHOCTON | Massive wind turbines could be rising in the Town of Cohocton within a few weeks.

Local UPC outreach coordinator Rick Towner said permits allowing the developer to begin the ground work for the 420-foot-high turbines will be signed soon, signaling the next phase of the construction of 50 wind turbines.

On a tour of the wind farm sites Thursday, Towner said special permits have allowed M.A. Mortenson Construction crews to prepare the areas for construction of the tower bases.

According to Towner, 57-foot-wide concrete platforms will be topped by a 16-foot-wide tower base, and secured by 15-foot bolts into the concrete. Once the concrete has cured, topsoil will be replaced, the towers will be stacked by cranes and the blades assembled and mounted, he said.

Ironically, the only natural element that could delay the two- to three-week construction schedule for each turbine is strong wind.

“The cranes are limited in lifts to 20-mph wind,” Towner said. “More than that, and they'll have to wait.”

Each turbine is valued at $2 million to $2.5 million, he said. Once completed, the project will employ six to eight workers for maintenance and operation.



The optimum wind speed for the turbines is 25 to 27 mph, according to Towner. The blades are designed to tilt in order to adjust to the most efficient rotation.

In the event of a windstorm, with wind speeds above 50 mph, the blades will flatten to reduce rotation and hydraulic brakes will shut the system down for safety, he said.

The Newton, Mass.-based UPC first planned to build 56 turbines along the Cohocton hills, Towner said.

But new town zoning setbacks took some sites off the list. There are also restrictions on putting turbines near any existing dwellings, or any area where the public gathers, such as a church or park, he said.

There are five more wind projects being considered in Steuben County, with UPC and EcoGen vying for space in Prattsburgh, and other projects in the towns of Hartsville, Howard and Caton.

Those projects have been welcomed by some as a source of renewable energy and revenues. They are strongly opposed by others who charge the turbines are inefficient, and threaten humans and the natural habitat.

Towner said the turbines in Cohocton are likely to generate as much electricity as old coal plants in the area, which shut down years ago.

“What replaced them?” he said. “Nothing, as far as I know.”

But Towner said there are more benefits for the town than the UPC wind farm.

“The restaurants are full, (one) was looking for waitresses,” he said. “The motels are full. I know there are complaints about bringing some out-of-state guys in, but you ought to also look at, they'll be spending money here, not taking their wages home to Rochester every day.”

Towner said the project is just the start of economic development in Cohocton.

“There's got to be something we can do with the old Polly-O plant, biodiesel, something with renewable energy,” he said. “Just enough industry to make us self-supportive, enough to live here and work here. “

Adverse wind conditions may not be the only delay facing the 50-turbine UPC wind farm project in Cohocton.

Lawsuits, an antitrust complaint and a recent tangle with labor representatives may also be important factors in the project's future.

€ Within the last two weeks, both the state appellate court and local court have dismissed allegations the town's local laws regulating the project are illegal. But the project's opponents, Cohocton Wind Watch, have another day in court at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 19.

The recent lawsuits charge UPC with violating their conditional Public Safety Commission permit. The action also challenges the issuance of special use permits by the Cohocton Planning Board. Opponents also claim certain turbines intrude upon the property in neighboring towns and Ontario County.

€ An antitrust complaint filed early this year by other Cohocton residents charges the wind industry as a whole violates the Sherman Antitrust Act by preventing competition and restraining trade.

€ Recent complaints by local labor unions put a halt to the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency's plan Sept. 27 to approve property tax breaks for the UPC project.

€ The unions say UPC is hiring out-of-state construction workers instead of using local labor resources. Encouraging local employment is a part of SCIDA's mandate.

UPC representatives say they need skilled supervisors for the unique project, and promised to hire 60 union and non-union workers from the Steuben County area by the end of the month.

Local UPC coordinator Rick Towner pointed to contracts with Hanson, in Bath, and McConnell Electric, of Rochester, as examples of UPC's willingness to work with firms that hire union workers in the Steuben County area.

But labor representatives said UPC also has hired firms from out of the area, including a downstate firm, Delaney Heavy Highway Construction, of Gloversville, for road work.

“We have no problem with them hiring supervisors. We have no problem with local people, whether it's union or nonunion,” said Mike Altonberg, business agent for The Ironworkers in Rochester.

The Ironworkers are now picketing UPC offices in Cohocton.

“And by local, we mean Steuben and the surrounding counties. But I don't know how many in the area are familiar with crane work. And putting up 60-ton towers takes some doing, I can tell you,” Altonberg said.

By BOB CLARK


UPC Public Outreach Coordinator Rick Towner points toward the bolt alignment rings for attaching a 420-feet tall wind turbine on Dutch Hill to a concrete anchor 57 feet in diameter. Mortenson Construction, the main contractor on the project, has been moving earth on the project for the last two weeks, but building permits for pouring the concrete anchors have not been issued yet.


STAFF WRITER COHOCTON - The bulldozers are rolling again in Cohocton, following a short hiatus late last month.Construction is under way at the Cohocton and Dutch Hill wind projects, according to UPC public outreach coordinator Rick Towner.“Right now, we're only moving topsoil, building access roads, and laying power lines.” Towner said. “(The state Department of Agriculture and Markets) says we can only have five acres of topsoil exposed at one time. As soon as we move it out of the way, we go right through and mulch it.“As I understand it, the permits are ready to be signed, and (Cohocton Code Enforcement Officer Joe Bob) is waiting to hear back from their engineering firm,” he added. “We could have permits in hand by this afternoon.”For now, Mortenson Construction is scraping topsoil around the 50 turbine sites, 32 on Lent and Pine hills, 15 on Dutch Hill, and 3 on Brown Hill, eight miles to the south near the project's connection to the main power grid, but the underlying soil cannot be disturbed.“All the sites need to be completely level,” said Towner, looking over the site of Turbine 1, which will sit on what now is a sloping field. He added the topsoil is only 1 foot thick in many places on top of the hills.Each site will have a 200-foot diameter circle with the wind turbine set in the middle, according to Towner. Each of the 420-foot tall turbines, with a component cost around $2.5 million for each unit, will sit on a concrete pad 57-feet across and varying in thickness from 15-feet deep in the center to two feet at the edges.

“The edges will be far enough underground that farmers will still be able to plow,” Towner said, adding only a 16-foot circle of concrete will stick up a foot and a half out of the ground, and, “A five-by-five foot transformer will sit at the base of each tower.”The transformer will change the voltage of the electricity from the 600 volts coming from the turbines to 34,500 volts for transmission to a substation.The 26 access roads for the site are currently under construction as well, according to Towner, and several were already completed as of Wednesday afternoon.As for when the turbines will be operational, there is no official answer.“People keep asking me how long it takes to build (a turbine),”
Towner said. “From my understanding, it takes about a week for the concrete to cure, and another week to build the tower in a best-case scenario. The generator and blades can not be raised in winds over 20 miles per hour, which is a problem since we're building in a place with as much wind as we could find.”

With the uncertainty, there is no way of knowing when all the turbines will be up and operational, but this year seems unlikely.Despite several recent setbacks for UPC, construction is still moving as far as it can.UPC broke ground on the two projects on Sept. 18. Within two days, the Steuben County Highway Department had placed weight limits on several roads that gravel and equipment were being transported to the site on, until the roads were inspected and deemed safe. The highway department later removed the restrictions.“By the next Thursday, we were rolling again,” Towner said.

The Steuben County Industrial Development Agency did not approve the Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreement for UPC last week, which surprised many in the local wind power scene.“It's hard for me to believe that they would not approve (the PILOT agreement),” Towner said. “On the flip side, I don't think (UPC) would continue work if they didn't think they would get it. Without the tax breaks in the agreement, it would be hard for any company to build here.”

In related news, three members of the Iron Worker's union were set up outside the UPC office Wednesday.“It's not that I'm against wind power, it's just that they're bringing in workers from out of state to work on the project,” said iron worker's union marketing representative Paul Sirianni. “When you go up to the work site, look at the license plates on the vehicles up there.”“We're going to be here all weekend,” he added, saying protesting workers will be on hand for the Cohocton Fall Foliage Festival.

Towner said applications are still being accepted by Mortenson and other contractors on the project, and applications can be filled out at the UPC office at 28 Maple Ave. in Cohocton.

The presentation of three Article 78 lawsuits filed on Aug. 31 were changed from Tuesday to Oct. 16.“It was a mutually-agreed on move,” Towner said. “The plaintiffs were having problems serving several of the respondents.”The Article 78 lawsuits, filed by members of Cohocton Wind Watch, are aimed at overturning the special-use permits issued to UPC by the Cohocton Planning Board, saying that the permits are illegal on 13 different counts.

State of New York Supreme Court
County of Steuben


In the Matter of the Application of Steve Trude, Individually and as President of Cohocton Wind Watch, LLC, Hollis Trude, Gary Struck, Pat Struck and James Hall- Petitioners


For a Civil Judgment Pursuant to Article78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules

Against

THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF COHOCTON- Respondent.


Decision
Index No. 95,747


Her Honor Marianne Furfure, Acting Supreme Court Justice has denied the Petitioners' application for a judgement voiding and nullifying Local Law No. 2 of 2006.

Dated September 24, 2007

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department

DOCKET NO. CA 06-02877

MATTER OF JAMES HALL, PETITIONER-APPELLANT

V.

JACK ZIGENFUS, JEFFREY WISE, JOSEPH DYCKMAN, MILTON LEVESQUE AND WAYNE HUNT CONSTITUTING TOWN BOARD OF TOWN OF COHOCTON, RESPONDENTS-RESPONDENTS.

Respondents having moved to dismiss the appeal taken from an order of the Supreme Court entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Ontario on August 1, 2006, on the ground that the appellant has failed to perfect timely the appeal,

Now, upon reading and filing the affidavit of Patrick F. McAllister sworn to September 6, 2007, the notice of motion with proof of service thereof,

It is hearby ORDERED that the motion be, and the same hereby is, granted and the appeal is dismissed without costs.

Entered: September 18, 2007 JoAnn M. Wahl, Clerk

A slate of wind power opponents met with defeat following Tuesday’s primary elections in the Town of Cohocton.

"CLEAN SWEEP"

ALL INCUMBENTS

REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

YES! WIND POWER FOR COHOCTON

September 18, 2007
Republican Primary


Atlanta- 151 votes Cohocton 333 votes


County Clerk-
Hunter 242
Olin 142


Town Supervisor
Zigenfus 323
Strasberg 142

Councilman
Hunt 294
Taccone 124
Levesque 312
Sick 176

Highway Supt.
Simmons 319
Mohr 110

Town Clerk
Riley 377
Hall 99

Town Justice
Graham 318
Clark 134

Assessor
Damboise 338
Conard 138
Densmore 289
Brautigam 112

HELP WANTED:

Applications are being taken starting September 18.

Equal Opportunity Employer
•Operators •Carpenters
•General & Concrete Laborers
•Iron Workers/Millwrights

Apply at:
UPC Wind Management, LLC
28 Maple Avenue
Cohocton, NY 14826

M. A. Mortenson Company has grown to become
one of the most diverse and progressive organizations
in the United States construction industry.

Be a part of our growth as we staff for the
Cohocton Wind Farm project based positions:

CHANGE OF MEETING DATE

Special meeting of the Town Board

RESCHEDULED

TUESDAY, JULY 31, 2007

7:00 pm Atlanta Court House

WEAR YES! GREEN AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

CHANGE OF MEETING DATE

PLANNING BOARD SPECIAL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR JULY 30, HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

THE COHOCTON TOWN PLANNING BOARD WILL HOLD ITS REGULAR MEETING ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2007 @ 7:30 P.M. AT THE HATCH HOSE FIRE HALL IN ATLANTA.

WEAR YES! GREEN AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

THE COHOCTON TOWN PLANNING BOARD WILL BE HOLDING A SPECIAL MEETING ON JULY 30, 2007 @ 7:00 P.M. AT THE HATCH HOSE FIRE HALL IN ATLANTA. THIS MEETING IS BEING HELD FOR SITE PLAN APPROVAL AND SPECIAL USE PERMITS APPROVAL FOR THE APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY CANANDAIGUA POWER PARTNERS 1, LLC, AND CANDANDIGUA POWER PARTNERS 11, LLC FOR THE DUTCH HILL AND COHOCTON WIND PROJECT

WEAR YES! GREEN AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

CHANGE OF MEETING DATE

Special meeting of the Town Board

scheduled for Wednesday, July 25, 2007

RESCHEDULED

FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007 at 6:30 pm

Atlanta Court House

WEAR YES! GREEN AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

NOTICE OF PLANNING BOARD MEETING

JULY 11, 2007

ATLANTA –HATCH HOSE FIRE DEPT.

7:30 PM

WEAR YOUR GREEN AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

FOR YOUR

TOWN AND PLANNING BOARDS

AND THE WIND PROJECTS IN COHOCTON

IN NEED OF SHIRTS?

CALL 585 943-5912

Town Clerk of Cohocton Announcement
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, the Town of Cohocton Planning Board will hold a joint public hearing on June 27, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hatch Hose Fire Hall, 30 University Avenue, Atlanta, to receive oral comments concerning special use permit applications for three proposed temporary meteorological towers proposed by Canandaigua Power Partners, LLC. Two of the three proposed temporary meteorological towers are on Brown Hill near the terminus of VanAucker Road, Cohocton NY. The third proposed temporary metorological tower is on Pine Hill adjacent to Pine Hill Road, Cohocton, NY. The Planning Board is reviewing the three proposed temporary meterological towers as commercial antennas/communications towers under Sections 310 (i), 424, and 730 of the Zoning Ordinance. Any person wanting to be heard should appear at the June 27, 2007 public hearing. Written comments may be submitted to the Town Clerk, Sandra Riley, Po Box 327, Cohocton, NY 14826 until the close of the public hearing. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, the Town of Cohocton Planning Board will hold a special meeting on June 27, 2007 immediately following the scheduled public hearings, to continue with its review and consideration of the special use permits, site plan applications and the FEIS (Final Environmental Impact Statement) which were submitted by Canandaigua Power Partners, LLC and Canandaigua Power Partners II, LLC.

NOTICE

THE PLANNING BOARD SPECIAL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR MAY 24, 2007

AT THE ATLANTA FIRE DEPT.

HAS BEEN CANCELLED

THE RESCHEDULED DATE

WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE FUTURE

Public Hearing, Wayland Cohocton Elementary School, April 26, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Special Use Permits and site plan applications for Dutch Hill and the Cohocton Wind Project.

WEAR YOUR YES! GREEN AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR YOUR TOWN AND PLANNING BOARDS.

Spitzer calling for 15 percent energy use cut
Yancey RoyAlbany bureau
(April 20, 2007) — ALBANY — Gov. Eliot Spitzer on Thursday unveiled a new energy strategy that relies on reducing energy use by 15 percent by 2015, investing $300 million in renewable and "clean" power projects and increasing supply by passing a new law to expedite power-plant siting.
Simultaneously, the state gave a big boost to wind power by awarding performance-based grants to nine new "wind farms," including three in Steuben County and one in Herkimer County. The facilities, which state officials predict will open in 2008, will significantly increase the state's use of wind — currently there are four large-scale wind power facilities supplying power to the electricity grid, according to state officials.
The Democratic governor delivered his plan just days before Earth Day and, at first blush, seemed to please many sides in the energy debate. Environmentalists hailed Spitzer's call for conservation and more renewable energy. Energy lobbyists said they're encouraged that the governor apparently wants to break the gridlock on power-plant siting — an issue that has languished for four years.
"Clearly, he's tried to appease a lot of constituencies," said Gavin Donohue, head of the Independent Power Producers of New York. He called it a "balanced" approach.
"The conservation and clean-energy (initiatives) will resonate with the public," Donohue said, "and at the same time, he recognizes that energy generation, reliability and transmission are important."
Highlights include:
Reduce electricity consumption by 15 percent by 2015 — what Spitzer calls the "most aggressive target in the nation" — by strengthening efficiency standards, rewriting laws that currently discourage utilities from conserving energy and committing state government facilities to use wind and other "clean" energy sources.
The New York Independent System Operator — which runs the state's electricity grid — has projected a 1.2 percent annual growth in electricity demand. Spitzer wants to not only stifle that trend but also to reverse it.
Increase supply by passing a new law to expedite the siting of new power plants.
Allocate $295 million to let 21 contracts for "clean," renewable power projects — especially wind. The governor estimated the state incentives could attract about $1.4 billion in private investment and that new facilities could be ready to operate by the end of 2008.
YROY@Gannett.com

RELEASE: Immediate, April 19, 2007 CONTACT: Colleen Ryan, NYSERDA 518-862-1090, ext 3359 cqr@nyserda.org James Denn, Public Service Commission 518-474-7080 James_Denn@dps.state.ny.us
NEW YORK’S CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY COULD FOSTER $1.4 BILLION OF INVESTMENTS IN NEW YORKRenewable Portfolio Standard Program Progress
Albany, N.Y. - - The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) announced today that twenty-one electric generating facilities in New York have been selected to provide renewable energy to New York consumers in the second competitive solicitation under the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Program. The diverse award group includes ten existing hydroelectric facilities that have been or will be upgraded, nine new wind facilities, and two biomass facilities. The twenty-one contract awards total approximately $295 million and will be paid out over a 10-year period as performance incentives for these facilities to produce and deliver electric energy to the New York grid. Performance incentives will average approximately $15 per megawatt hour.
Governor Spitzer said, "Today's announcement is further evidence that well-crafted policies to reduce greenhouse gases can provide tremendous economic benefits. Including the results of this latest competitive solicitation, the Renewable Portfolio Standard has now attracted nearly $2 billion of private investment in renewable energy. This investment translates into more jobs, an expanded tax base, new revenues to local land owners, cleaner air, and lower carbon dioxide emissions. I am very encouraged by the results of the RPS thus far."
Peter R. Smith, President and CEO of NYSERDA, said, “When New York’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) was adopted three years ago, it was the first state-administered RPS of its kind. Today’s announcement is a major step towards achieving the ultimate goal of the RPS, in which 25 percent of electric generation will come from a renewable source by 2013. When these electric generating facilities come on-line, they will not only add to New York’s electric capacity, but will more importantly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels as a means of generating electricity. In addition to the environmental benefits, economic benefits will come in the form of planning and construction jobs, long term operations and maintenance jobs, property tax benefits to local governments and schools, economic activity associated with the harvesting of biomass, and energy revenue royalty payments to landowners.”
Today’s announcement represents an excellent example of teamwork and cooperation between two State organizations. The Renewable Portfolio Standard was created in response to a series of proceedings and subsequent orders of the Commission. Authority to design and implement the program was delegated by the Commission to NYSERDA, with input and oversight from Commission staff.
Patricia L. Acampora, Chairwoman of the Commission, said, “The success of this initiative is clearly a win-win for all parties. One of the main purposes of the RPS Program is the growth in the development, adoption and implementation of renewable energy technologies. This program will help lead to a more energy-secure future for the people of New York State and for businesses and industry, while reducing emissions that can degrade our environment.”
Hydroelectric facilities awarded contracts include Browns Falls, Higley, East Norfolk, Raymondville, Norwood, Norfolk, Colton, and Allens Falls, all in St. Lawrence County. Also included are the Eagle hydro plant in Lewis County and the Oswego Falls plant in Oswego County.
New wind facilities awarded contracts are the Noble Bliss Wind Park planned for Wyoming County, Noble Chateaugay Wind Park planned for Franklin County, and Jordanville Wind Farm planned for Herkimer County. Additional sites include Dutch Hill Wind Farm, Cohocton Wind Farm, and the Wind Farm Prattsburgh planned for Steuben County, along with Noble Altona Wind Park, Noble Clinton Wind Park I, and the Noble Ellenburg Wind Park planned for Clinton County.
Biomass facilities awarded contracts include the Niagara Generating Facility in Niagara County and the Lyonsdale Biomass facility in Lewis County.
NYSERDA received proposals from thirty-four electric generating facilities through this solicitation. The twenty-one electric generating facilities selected represent 880 megawatts of in-state renewable energy capacity that is estimated to produce approximately 2.6 million megawatt hours of renewable electricity annually, or enough clean energy to supply approximately 435,000 average size homes. Project developers will invest an estimated $1.4 billion to construct and upgrade these facilities. Construction of the new wind facilities and upgrades of existing hydro and biomass facilities are expected to be completed by fall of 2008.
The total renewable capacity supported by the RPS program since its inception could approach 1,162 megawatts by the fall of 2008, including the 880 megawatts noted above. This includes 1,088 megawatts of wind power at twelve sites, 65 megawatts of biomass power at three sites, and 9 megawatts of small hydro power at eleven sites. This total renewable capacity is expected to provide approximately 3.6 million megawatt hours of electric energy per year, or enough clean energy to supply 600,000 average size homes.
NYSERDA estimates that the 1,162 megawatts of renewable capacity could generate more than $720 million of in-state economic benefits over a 20-year period, excluding the impact of any economic roll-over multipliers or energy price suppression effects. In addition to these significant economic benefits, this renewable capacity will also provide added environmental benefits, with potential reductions of 2,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, 4,400 tons of sulfur oxides, and 1.3 million tons of carbon dioxide per year.

About NYSERDA: The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a public benefit corporation created in 1975 by the New York State Legislature. NYSERDA administers the New York Energy $martSM program which provides, among other things, energy efficiency services to the residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, and government sectors. Along with the New York Energy $martSM program, NYSERDA also administers the New York Renewable Portfolio Standard program and various other research and development and environmental programs. More Information about NYSERDA can be found at: www.nyserda.org.
About the Commission: The Public Service Commission has a broad mandate to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to reliable and low-cost utility services. The Commission regulates the state's electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, and water utilities. The Commission also oversees the cable industry. In the latter half of 2004, after a year and a half of public hearings and participation by more than 150 parties, the Commission issued its "Order Approving Renewable Portfolio Standard Policy." That Order identified the Commission's renewable energy policy and provided definitions and targets for carrying out the policy. The policy calls for an increase in renewable energy used in the State from the then current level of about 19 percent to 25 percent by the year 2013. More information about the Commission can be found at: www.dps.state.ny.us.
About the NY RPS: The goal of the RPS is for New York to obtain 25 percent of its energy needs from eligible renewable resources by 2013. Such resources include wind, solar, biomass, fuel cells, anaerobic digesters, and certain hydroelectric facilities. A portion of the 25 percent goal is to be obtained by what is commonly called the "voluntary market", or demand other than government-sponsored programs such as the RPS administered by NYSERDA. The competitive solicitation mentioned in this release is the second in a series that NYSERDA expects to conduct over the next several years to implement the RPS program. More information on the NY RPS can be found at: http://www.nyserda.org/rps/about.asp and http://www.dps.state.ny.us/03e0188.htm

NOTICE OF CANCELLATION

The Planning Board Meeting which was scheduled for April 16, 2007 has been cancelled due to poor weather conditions. The meeting content (turbines 1-16 Dutch Hill) will be covered at the April 19, 2007 meeting along with the already scheduled content at the (Hatch Hose) Atlanta North Cohocton Fire Department. The April 19th, 2007 meeting is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. All meetings are subject to change please check with UPC Wind Office or Town Clerk.


Sandra L. Riley
Pro Term Secretary

NOTICE

THE PUBLIC REVIEW SITE MEETING #4

SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 16, 2007

At the Hatch Hose Fire Dept.

at 7:00 pm

30 University Ave.

Atlanta, NY

HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER

We will post the reschedule date as soon as it is determined.

Why can't people be honest? On Sunday 04/15/07 I was getting my papers from Carey's and noticed someone was painting the window in the reform Cohocton office. I wondered what this was about. So I went in and inquired about it. I was told that they was looking for people to run for positions in the town offices. I asked if it was about the windmills and was told no. Well people who know me and knew my father when he was alive. Know that if we aren't satisfied with the answers we will research it. Which it what I did when I got home and found out it was a place where a small group of outstanding members of this town can post slanderous statements againist the town board and planning board. I wonder who would really want to support a group that can't answer questions honestly. Can anyone tell me the answer to this .

Thank you
George C. Buss

Just thought I would tell you that after the meeting the other night, my son Brian was expressing a desire to actually go and see a wind tower in person and up close. I remembered that there is actually a wind tower farm near Gainesville, NY, so we went up to see it.It isn't that far of a drive either. You go to Hermitage (Rt.78) and take a right off the main road, go 3 miles, take a left (Weathersfield Rd.) and they are right there.
The main gates were open, so we drove right in. There are 7 on the left side of the road and 3 on the right. All of them are accessible by just driving your car literally right next to them! I got out of my car and I have to tell you that I was expecting to hear some noise (whining, grinding, humming, something!) and there was barely any sound AT ALL! All you could hear was a faint whoosh of the blade overhead. Barely audible! If you walked right up to the towers and went around the backside there was a locked access door to get inside, if you put your ear to the door, you could hear a faint hum, THATS IT! If you took 2 steps from the access door, you couldn't hear a thing.
I stopped at McCormick farm's shop back on the main road and was talking to the guys working in the shop. One of the guys told me that not only was he on the town board when the project went up, but he actually lives less than 1/2 a mile from the turbines. I asked him some questions, his responses are in bold print. He told me that they have had NO PROBLEMS with the towers at all. I asked about noise, NONE. I asked about ice throw, NONE. Property values? NO change. Cows dying? WHAT? I then asked him about shadow flicker, he said he heard about that, so he went and watched them and the only shadows he saw were directly under the blades. I asked if they projected shadow flicker outward, away from the towers- He said he had never seen any. Headaches? None Depression? No The man also added that you will never even know they are there, unless you want to go see them.
He also told me that the project was erected 10 years ago, no problems. He told me that the project was the best thing to ever happen there. And lastly, told me that they had applied for, received, and are in the process of getting 58 more turbines! It is a shared venture between the towns of Eagle and Hermitage, NY. The only thing holding to process up now is the negotiations as to what % the town is getting of the money the towers are going to generate. He told me that if the town gets what they want from the project, it will ELIMINATE the town/village taxes for the residents. He said it would not effect school or county taxes, but local taxes would be gone!
And if you are wondering what my son Brian said about it, he asked me "How could you not like these things, they look cool, they don't make noise , and I don't see where they hurt anything."

John & Brian Meyer

Four Sisters Fall

Is this the future of Coal generating plants Construction began on Lakeview in 1958, and it opened officially four years later in 1962 at a cost of $217 million. The four stacks were each 500 feet - or 150 metres - tall.
It closed in April 2005 as part of the Ontario government's vow to shut all five coal plants in the province by 2009.

Redditch Power Station Fire Footage

Response to video posted at cohoctonclean's blog This is what it looks like when a traditional power plant burns

PLANNING BOARD SPECIAL MEETING

CHANGE OF LOCATION

WIND PROJECT SITE PLAN REVIEW

ATLANTA FIRE HALL

APRIL 2, 2007 7:00 pm

Global Cooling machine

Video showing a Wind turbine being erected posted by Mark Densmore

Hornellsville residents support wind power: 29 percent take part in survey, 73 percent of respondents in favor

By ROB MONTANA - STAFF WRITER

ARKPORT - The people have spoken - 29 percent of them - and Hornellsville residents seem to be in favor of wind development in the town.Planning Board member Randy Jackson presented the findings of a wind survey sent out to residents and property owners in the town, painting a picture of a community OK with wind power. He said 1,586 surveys were sent out, with 465 returned, or 29.31-percent participation.“Anytime you do a survey, if you get 30 percent back, you're doing pretty good,” Jackson said.Among the findings of the survey, 87 percent of respondents live in the town, with 95.88 percent owning the property they live on; 95.24 percent knew about wind farm issues in the area, but 77.44 percent have never visited an established wind farm.

The favorable outlook brought out 73.38 percent feeling a wind farm would have a positive impact overall on the town and 73.19 percent were in favor of wind farm development in the town, while 53.96 percent felt it would have a negative impact on property values.Planning Board Chairman Bob Panter said all the surveys would be kept by the Planning Board.“So, if anybody wants to challenge the findings, they can go through them and tally them up themselves,” he said.Jackson said it was important the town continue to work on its law, as that was the only way Hornellsville could protect itself.“Lowe's and wind farms have something in common - they're both coming,” he said. “With windmills, the Planning Board and town board have to have control.”

Jackson said the town would likely have to spend some money to hire an attorney with wind energy expertise to help with the wind law.“One way or another you're going to spend the money,” he said. “You're either going to spend it defending this or creating it.”That suggestion was supported by town Attorney Pat McAllister, who said he didn't feel he had the expertise to do it. What makes it tricky in developing a law in Hornellsville, he said, was the need for it to fit with the town's zoning laws. McAllister noted a Type I State Environmental Quality Review would be needed for wind farm development, and that's an involved process.“Attorneys get experts to do just the SEQR part for them,” he said.Panter stressed the survey wasn't an indication the Planning Board was ready to allow windmills to start popping up on the town's hillsides.“We haven't finished our work on this,” he said.In other business, Theresa Melvin, who works in the town assessor's office, said not all taxpayers who are eligible for senior or agriculture tax exemptions have filed them with the office yet. She said the exemptions are due by March 1. The assessor's office is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, with the exception of Wednesdays when the office is open until 6 p.m.

As a reminder, unsigned comments to this blog will not be posted.

YES! WIND

Email received February 6, 2007 to Yes! Wind Power Cohocton


I am from Wayland and not even involved in this wind power thing, but I will say its a disgrace what is happening in Cohocton. Do people not get that we need another source of power other than oil? Someday, the oil will run out and it also throws emissions into the air that is causing all our changes in weather. I know people who live somewhat near the wind mills and they have no problems with it. Why is it that progress always has someone to try and stop it? The nasty remarks and things being said in the pennysavers each week is getting to be a joke. People where I work just laugh at the silliness of the whole thing. Come on people, lets go with the flow. We need a clean power source and what better source than the wind. Thanks for letting me say my piece, not that it helps. Some people just like to complain. At least, your organization is saner than any of the rest.


Janice Yohon

• 
  I have and will begin submitting a copy of the New State Comptrollers report done on the benefits of renewable energy for to the town board and will leave a copy at the UPC Wind Office if they would like to see it. It brings up a lot of good facts about how effective wind turbines can be and how they will help New York State to save money. This is what is called scientific research. Not some of the garbage that other people come up with.
• George C. Buss

STATE OF NEW YORK FOR RELEASE:
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER IMMEDIATE, Tuesday
ELIOT SPITZER, GOVERNOR January 2, 2007

Contact: Christine Anderson
518-474-8418


RENEW NEW YORK AGENDA SEEKS UPSTATE TURNAROUND

Governor Eliot Spitzer today announces a major new effort to spark an
economic resurgence in Upstate New York.

“We are making a commitment at the start of the new administration to do
something about a long-standing problem that affects millions of New
Yorkers,” Governor Spitzer said. “The turnaround we seek won’t be easy and
won’t occur immediately, but we will keep at it until the job is done.”

As part of the effort, the new Governor promised to report each year on the
State of the Upstate in conjunction with his Annual Message to the
Legislature. This presentation will track the progress of specific
initiatives designed to strengthen the region’s economy.

In 2007, the administration will focus on a series of measures that emerged
as top priorities in consultation with regional officials during the
gubernatorial campaign. These measures will be aimed at creating an
innovation economy, reducing costs and investing in infrastructure. These
measures include:

* Implementing a major property tax reduction targeting most of its
benefits to the middle class;

* Designating an Upstate Chair of the Empire State Development Corp (ESDC)
and Upstate headquarters in Buffalo;

* Significantly expand State aid to distressed upstate cities and towns.
With this new aid, we will require municipalities to practice better
financial management and make stronger efforts to achieve governmental
efficiencies;

* Reforming mandates like Wicks Law and Workers Comp;

* Launching a Universal Broadband Initiative that will ensure that New
Yorkers in upstate cities and rural towns have access to affordable,
high-speed Internet service;

* Expediting key infrastructure projects that will help the entire region,
such as the Peace Bridge expansion;

* Fixing the State’s brownfields program that prepares former industrial
sites for redevelopment;

* Providing new assistance to small businesses that create the majority of
new jobs;

* Implementing a comprehensive plan that promotes enjoyment of outdoor
activities and stimulates tourism in Upstate New York;

* Convene an emergency preparedness summit of state and local officials;
and

* Expanding aid to Upstate schools.

“The vision and goal of this effort is to tackle the underlying structural
problems, make strategic investments and develop new engines of economic
growth throughout the region,” Governor Spitzer said.

On January 1, the Governor signed a series of executive orders establishing
higher ethical standards for the administration. The Renew New York Agenda
is the first program announcement for the new administration.


#


2007 Upstate Agenda
Renew New York

Upstate New York used to be an economic leader. Its cities and towns were
vibrant manufacturing centers that powered the nation’s emergence as an
industrial giant.

But today, the once roaring factories are silent and plywood on storefronts
is an all-too common sight. There has been a decades-long decline in the
region, an exodus of jobs and people that has left scores of communities on
the verge of bankruptcy.

Perhaps the most telling statistic is that the region lost more than 30
percent of young people between ages of 25-34 during the last decade.

No one disputes these difficult conditions and everyone wants to see
change. And yet, little has been done to address the negative economic and
demographic trends that plague the region.

It is a top priority for the Spitzer administration to reverse this decline
and bring about a true resurgence in Upstate New York. As part of this
effort, the Spitzer administration will take the following administrative
and legislative actions in 2007:

1. State of the Upstate

The Governor will report each year on the State of the Upstate in
conjunction with his Annual Message to the Legislature. This report will be
prepared by a group senior administration officials dedicated to
implementing programs and policies that address the underlying structural
problems in the region.

2. Property Tax Cuts

The administration will implement a 3-year, $6 billion property tax
reduction plan that targets most of its benefits to the middle class.
Middle class young people have left the state in large numbers in recent
years.

3. Job Creation

The Governor will appoint an Upstate Economic Development Czar, who,
working from offices in Buffalo, will be responsible for refocusing
economic development programs and resources to meet upstate needs.

4. Aid to distressed upstate cities and towns

The administration will significantly expand the States Aid and Incentives
to Municipalities program and concentrate that aid on Upstates most
struggling cities. This new aid will be tied to critical belt-tightening
measures that will set the municipalities on a path toward long-term fiscal
stability.

5. Reforming Mandates

The State will do its part by reforming mandates such as the Wicks Law and
Workers Comp that impose undue costs.

6. Small Business

The administration will take a number of steps to assist small businesses,
which are the source of most of the job creation in New York today. It will
work to reduce workers compensation and health care costs, and create a
Stem Cell and Innovation Fund to help create and retain start-up firms.

7. Universal Broadband Initiative

The administration will launch a universal broadband initiative to ensure
that New Yorkers in distressed upstate cities and rural towns will have
access to affordable, high-speed Internet.

8. Infrastructure Enhancement

The administration will prioritize and advance regional infrastructure
initiatives including: the Peace Bridge expansion, Fort Drum connector and
the conversion of Route 17 into Interstate 86.

9. Energy

The administration will revamp low-cost power programs and look to expand
generating capacity throughout the state. In addition, it will make a
concerted effort to increase the number of wind turbines sited in upstate
New York and other renewable technologies.

10. Brownfields

The Governor will direct the Empire State Development Corporation and the
Department of Environmental Conservation to fix the lagging brownfields
program to ensure shovel-ready land for development, while also protecting
public health and natural resources.

11. Upstate Crime Initiative

The Governor will create an interagency task force and expand state
assistance to combat violent crime, drug trafficking and gang activity in
upstate cities.

12. Agriculture

The Governor will create a Pride of New York Wholesalers Market in New York
City for upstate farmers to connect to downstate markets. The Governor
will also expand the Environmental Protection Fund to protect prime
farmland from being consumed by suburban sprawl.

13. Outdoor Agenda

The administration will implement a comprehensive plan for promoting
enjoyment of outdoor activities and tourism in upstate New York.

14. Emergency Preparedness Planning Summit

The administration will convene a summit of state and local officials to
develop plans to deal
with persistent flooding in the Southern Tier. The effort will be led by
the State Emergency Management Office.

15. School Aid

The administration will significantly increase education investment to
distressed cities and towns under a new school-aid formula.
***


Details of these and other initiatives will be provided in the Executive
Budget presentation later this month.