Citizens for Responsible Energy Development

Companies poised to profit from state wind-power push

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:25:37 -0400

Determining which way the wind blows has rarely been as important to a politician as it is to Gov. David Paterson. Paterson’s ambitious goal of increasing renewable energy to 25 percent of New York’s power by 2013 will hinge on wind turbines.

Since most of New York’s renewable energy comes from hydroelectric power plants with little capacity to grow, and the pace of growth in solar energy has gone at less than light speed, with only 15 megawatts of installed capacity to date, the wind industry will likely account for most of the desired growth in so-called clean energy.

UPC Wind changes its name to First Wind

Tue, 13 May 2008 09:15:53 -0400

A Newton wind-power company says it has changed its name from UPC Wind to First Wind to better reflect its approach to building, owning and running wind farms in North America.

First Wind officials said the name change, already in effect, would have no impact on the day-to-day operations, organizational structure or the ownership of the company, and the firm plans to remain focused on projects in the Northeast as well as on the West Coast and Hawaii.

PUC Chair resigns for wind-power job

Tue, 13 May 2008 09:14:48 -0400

Kurt Adams has resigned as chairman of the Maine Public Utilities Commission to join the wind-power company behind the Mars Hill and Stetson Mountain wind power projects.

Adams, who has served as chair of the PUC since 2005, will become senior vice president of transmission for First Wind, formerly known as UPC Wind, a wind development company based in Newton, Mass., according to a press release from the company.

Zoning closer to reality in Charlotte

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:07:58 -0400

A zoning law for the town of Charlotte was pushed closer recently after a lengthy meeting during which the Town Board reviewed and accepted the final draft of the proposed zoning program.

With plans for a wind turbine development confined to the wings until zoning is in place, officials say they are hopeful the law can be enacted in June.

The Town Board capped the two-hour review with an authorization of the municipality’s attorney, William Duncanson, to complete the required State Environmental Quality Review.

NYSERDA Announces Renewable Energy Initiatives

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 12:34:27 -0500

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has launched two initiatives that will help strengthen the evolving renewable energy arena in New York. These initiatives grew out of the efforts and recommendations of Lt. Gov. David Paterson's Renewable Energy Task Force.

First, New York is initiating a $6 million clean-energy workforce training initiative. NYSERDA will invest more than $4 million in a range of clean energy sectors, including small wind and biogas energy systems. An additional $2 million is included in the governor's executive budget targeted at developing the solar workforce through programs at community colleges across New York State.

Support S4608 ALESI

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:27:50 -0500

TITLE....Establishes the New York state task force on wind generating facilities siting and permitting policies

04/19/07 REFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
01/09/08 REFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SUMMARY:

ALESI, FLANAGAN, MORAHAN, PADAVAN, RATH, SEWARD, YOUNG
Establishes the New York state task force on wind generating facilities siting and permitting policies to study the need to implement a uniform statewide policy regarding the siting and permitting of wind energy production facilities; further establishes an 18 month moratorium upon the siting and permitting of wind energy production facilities; repeals such provisions effective December 31, 2008.

Wayland-Cohocton School District January 28, 2008 Letter by James Hall

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:21:35 -0500

January 28, 2008

Wayland-Cohocton Central School Board
2350 Rte 63 N
Wayland, NY 14572

RE: UPC SCIDA PILOT approval not required for Wayland-Cohocton School District

Dear School Board members:

Submitted this date to the Wayland-Cohocton School Board the following documents:

1) Press Release January 10, 2008 from attorney David Miller
2) List of SCIDA Board members and their home addresses

Bethany Wind Turbine Committee's January Report

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 10:56:11 -0500

I have obtained a copy of Bethany's "final" wind report. You can download it at http://www.effierover.com/downloads/ReportFinal.pdf

Don't know at this time if the town will offer it on their website (they usually do) or what the general reaction is.

Committee researches legalizing backyard wind turbines

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 12:28:11 -0400

ITHACA — Current code in the Town of Ithaca makes it impossible for individual homeowners to install wind turbines on their property, but that may change soon, said Cathy Valentino, town supervisor and a member of the Codes and Ordinances Committee.

The committee has been researching the issue of small wind-energy facilities for around four months, Valentino said, and committee members have a draft of a law to make installation and ownership of the facilities legal.

Article X to be Topic for July Session

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 11:00:05 -0400

The New York Legislature ended its regular session Friday without passing legislation that would allow expedited siting of power plants. Utilities, power producers and the New York Independent System Operator have said the measure is needed to attract investment in plants and avoid electricity shortages.

The legislature could possibly take up the matter again as early as July, when he expects lawmakers will reconvene for a limited, special session. At issue is the Article X law, which provided a single process for obtaining all permits, and guaranteed a one-year limit to the review process. Article X also gave the state authority to override local objections to plants.