PSC Grants Certificate for Sheldon Energy Wind Project

pr08010%20High%20Sheldon%20PSC.pdf

STATE OF NEW YORK
Public Service Commission
Garry Brown, Chairman
Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223
Further Details: James Denn, (518) 474-7080
http://www.dps.state.ny.us
FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATELY 08010/07-E-0213

PSC Grants Certificate for Sheldon Energy Wind Project

— Construction and Operation Approved for Wyoming County Wind Farm —
Albany, NY—1/16/08— The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today decided to authorize the construction and operation of a wind energy project capable of generating 112.5 megawatts (MW) of electricity in the Town of Sheldon, Wyoming County, that will connect with an existing New York State Electric & Gas Corporation transmission line.

In granting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN), the Commission included appropriate conditions to assure that the public interest considerations regarding reliability of the interconnected electric grid are addressed, and that environmental management of the facility is appropriate using the wind turbines proposed by Sheldon Energy, LLC. According to the developer, the estimated economic benefits in the project area will be $2.1 million annually.

“Among commonly expressed Commission goals are the needs to increase energy diversity and promote a cleaner, healthier environment by generating electricity from renewable energy sources,” said Commission Chairman Garry Brown. “The Sheldon Energy project will generate electricity utilizing renewable resource technology to provide clean and renewable supplies of electricity to the wholesale energy market.”

Sheldon Energy plans to build 75 wind turbines, each rated at 1.5 MW, plus 20 miles of access roads, overhead and underground electrical lines, a 2-acre interconnection substation, construction staging areas, and a centrally located operations and maintenance facility. It will connect with NYSEG’s 230 kV Stolle Road–Meyer transmission line. The wind turbines will range in height up to 397 feet, with a rotor diameter of approximately 253 to 271 feet.

Environmental review of the proposed facilities was conducted pursuant to State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), Article VIII of the Environmental Conservation Law, with the Town of Sheldon acting as lead agency, and the Commission as an involved agency. The project was analyzed for potential environmental impacts on land use and zoning, visual resources, socioeconomic issues, traffic and transportation, air quality, noise, soils, geology, terrestrial and aquatic ecology including threatened and endangered species, effects on communications facilities, storm water management, and impacts of construction. The town determined that a large-scale wind power-generating project will result in significant economic
benefits to the area.

According to the petition, the project will sell its output into the wholesale markets administered by the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) or adjacent control areas. The company will participate in renewable energy programs with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, green marketers and other buyers. In addition the project will offer capacity, voltage support and ancillary services to the NYISO markets. According to the petition, the company will sell the output of its project exclusively at wholesale and will not be a retail supplier of electricity.

Sheldon Energy is a subsidiary of Invenergy Wind LLC. According to the company, Invenergy subsidiaries have eight projects totaling 686 MW under development or in commercial operation in Poland, Montana and Texas. The company intends to commence construction as soon as possible and anticipates that its project will begin commercial operation near the end of 2008.

The Commission’s decision today, when issued, will be available on the Commission’s www.dps.state.ny.us Web site by accessing the File Room and searching for Case 07-E-0213. Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission decisions can also be obtained from the Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500).