The Evening Tribune
News

Thursday, July 27, 2006
YesWind offers proof of benefits: Cohocton forum shows how towns can reap funds if turbines are erected
By MICHELLE KING - STAFF WRITERPublished: Thursday, July 27, 2006 11:19 AM CDTE-mail this story Print this page
COHOCTON - A pro-wind forum in Cohocton Wednesday night accentuated the positive.The information session, hosted by YesWind, a local group that supports wind farm development, featured a brief presentation from three town supervisors who have wind farm development as well as three environmentalists. Afterwards, the panel answered questions from those in attendance.Although town supervisors Arleigh Rice, from the Town of Lowville, Norman Roof from Harrisburg in Lewis County, and Russell Cary, of the Town of Fenner, differed in opinion, one thing was certain - they all favored the economic benefits of the project.
“We're a small town of about 423 with no industry,” said Roof. “Our budget is around $300,000 a year and this year we signed an order for three new trucks, one with a plow that came to $450,000 alone. That's what its meant for our community with no extra tax.“Financially, it's had a huge impact on our small town,” he added.Cary said wind farm development was positive for his town, as well.
“It's been a very positive experience financially, but more importantly for the quality of life,” he said. “I can't argue the idea of the visual impact and we've lived with them since Sept. 11, 2001 when we put a flag on the tallest one. I think you have to weigh all of it. It also helps our small family farms.”Later during the question-and-answer portion of the program, Cary was asked by a resident what the economic benefit was in comparison to farming and how much land was lost to the development.“We lost about 165 acres, and gained about $1.7 million,” he said.
“I don't think you'll make that kind of money on a farm,” Rice added.When Brian Smith, Citizens Campaign for the Environment program coordinator spoke, he stressed the importance of conserving energy.“It's something I've worked on for a number of years and I believe wind power is necessary to the environment and our future,” he said. “Energy demand is increasing and the alternative is an increase on fossil fuels. We're in the middle of a global energy crisis. Wind is not the magic pull but is certainly part of the solution.”
Marion Trieste, Alliance for Clean Energy representative, said renewable power currently makes up less than 1 percent of all energy.“Fifty-two percent comes from fossil fuels and 29 percent from nuclear,” she said. “We're just trying to reach Governor Pataki's goal to get to 25 percent by 2013.”The questions asked varied, and included ice throw concerns, to spinning shock, noise, monetary benefits, how many turbines they had constructed, and if a terrorist attack on the turbines is likely.
After the forum, resident Jim Lince remained skeptical, saying his anti-wind energy opinions still remained strong.“Basically a lot of the answer session just skinned the surface,” he said. “They said good things but no data to support what they're talking about, especially with fossil fuels. Not even a coal plant has been closed. They are great slogans but not a lot of data holds up.“For example, Roof was explaining ice throw while talking about baseball,” Lince added. “And the property study she (Trieste) talked about there's not a single property within 4,000 feet, most are 3 to 5 miles away. My question is if money was not involved then would they do still do it. Those types of questions are not being asked.”
A proposed wind farm in Cohocton will be constructed by UPC Wind Partner LLC, and calls for 41 2-megawatt turbines. Each will stand about 403-feet high. The area will encompass more than 5,775 acres. In addition, the construction is slated for spring of 2007, and may be completed as early as October 2007.