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