Clean Energy. Made Here.

Howard wind farm now on
EverPower expects to erect 25 turbines along Turnpike in springZoom Photos
Chris Potter
Wind turbines, similar to those in Cohocton, could be build in Howard in the spring.

Howard, N.Y. — The winds of change are again blowing in Howard, as it seems that the wind project is going to happen after all.

EverPower Renewables was to build 25 wind turbines, each rated for 2.5 megawatts of power production in optimal wind conditions, along Turnpike Road and along the ridge above Stephens Creek and County Route 27.

The project was slated to begin in April when it was suddenly halted because EverPower had trouble selling renewable energy credits (RECs) from the project.

RECs, according to www.wisegeek.com, are certificates issued by a government agency to a power company which utilizes environmentally friendly methods to generate electricity. They can in turn be traded and sold on the open market, providing an incentive to companies which produce “green” power. Citizens and companies who are trying to support green power and reduce their carbon footprints can also take advantage of RECs, regardless as to the source of their power.

But it seems the company has worked through these issues.

“We are still committed to moving forward with the Howard Wind Project and plan to complete financing later this month and begin construction in the spring of 2011. The project is currently permitted for 25 turbines, and it is still our plan to move forward with those 25 turbines,” Kevin Sheen, senior director of development at EverPower, said in an email.

“We never considered the project dead,” Sheen continued. “There were a variety of economic conditions that did not allow us to build the project — most notably the fact that we did not get awarded a REC contract by NYSERDA. Some of the economic conditions have improved and we are hopeful that we will receive a REC contract from NYSERDA this time around.”

In May the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency (SCIDA) approved a 20-year PILOT agreement, worth $13,939,000, for all entities involved: the county, Howard, and Canisteo-Greenwood Central School and the Hornell City School District.

With the agreement, Howard was to receive 51.5 percent of the nearly $14 million, or $7,178,585. Steuben County would receive 16.5 percent, or $2,299,935.

The remaining 32 percent, $4,460,480, was to be split between the two school districts. Because 23 of the 25 turbines would have fallen in the Canisteo-Greenwood district, they were to receive 92 percent of the remaining money, or approximately $4,103,641. The Hornell school district would have received around $356,838.

Town Supervisor Don Evia said the agreement hasn’t changed.

“It’s good for the country. We all have to do something with the energy problems we have. I think it’s good for the town financially,” Evia said. “It’s good for the land owner. They’ll get more revenue from their land. I think it’s win-win for everybody.”

He’s confident the project will begin this spring, though he’ll feel better once it actually starts.

“I’m very confident it will be built in 2011. I have all the faith in the world,” Evia said. “When the shovel goes in the ground, then I’ll feel very good.”

Copyright 2010 Hornell Evening Tribune. Some rights reserved

Howard Wind Project Might Actually Happen
October 22, 2010 03:08:00 Font size:
Town Board Member Hatch Says Everpower Is Working To Get Financing

It looks like the Howard wind project might happen after all. After some question about whether the project was going to move forward, Howard Town Board member William Hatch tells WLEA/WCKR News that wind company Everpower is working on financing, and that they hope to get that done by the end of the month.



Hatch also says that there are no dates yet for when the construction will begin.

Judge Ark: One more chance to settle lengthy wind farm dispute.Yellow Pages
By Mary Perham
Bath Courier
Posted Oct 24, 2010 @ 11:00 AM

Prattsburgh, NY — A ruling could come within two weeks in the long-running dispute between wind developer Ecogen and the towns of Prattsburgh and Italy.
Prattsburgh Town Councilman Chuck Shick told the town board Monday the ruling by state Supreme Court Justice John Ark has been delayed in the hopes the two sides will reach a settlement. About two dozen residents attended the regular board meeting.
Ecogen intends to put a 34-turbine wind farm in the two towns, with 16 planned for Prattsburgh, and a substation and 18 turbines in Italy, located in Yates County.
Shick, town Supervisor Al Wordingham, and their legal counsel from Bond, Schoeneck and King met Sept. 27 with Ark and legal representatives from Ecogen and the town of Italy.
Shick said Ark made it “pretty clear” during the meeting he wants the sides to come to an out-of-court agreement. Ark also expressed concern about the cost of the legal dispute to the towns and Ecogen.
Shick said the Prattsburgh representatives told Ark their primary concern was setbacks ensuring the health and safety of residents. A decline in property values also was an issue, Shick said.
Since then, the town has submitted to the court Ecogen’s original site map with 100 possible locations for turbines. The site map shows Ecogen originally planned to put up roughly 20 turbines in a portion of the town near Allis Road, board members said Monday night.
The Allis Road location would be remote enough to protect residents from noise and allow Ecogen to go forward with its plan, board members said.
So far, there has been no response from Ecogen, Shick said.
The legal battle between Prattsburgh and Ecogen began early last year, when a new town board rescinded 3-1 a December agreement allowing the developer to determine the road use agreement without town input. The new board maintained the earlier agreement violated home rule.
The project had been welcomed by the town board and many residents when it was first proposed in 2002.
The wind farm would provide needed revenues for the leaseholders, town, county and state during a faltering economy, according to supporter Bruce Taylor, of Prattsburgh. He complained too much attention has focused on the negative side of wind development, which also provides an alternative form of energy.
“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few,” he said.
But other residents have charged throughout the process the turbines are inefficient electrical generators and pose a threat to people and the environment.
Shick said Ark will rule soon if no agreement is reached.
“I expect the judge will probably rule in a couple of weeks,” he said.