Wind Energy Expected Soon In Area

Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties and other area regional leaders are gearing up for wind energy to sweep into their boundaries.

''Probably by spring of next year, they'll start construction,'' said Bill Daly of the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency during a wind energy meeting hosted by Cattaraugus County Thursday.

Daly said included in possible plans for wind farms in Chautauqua County are those anticipated for Arkwright, Hanover, Ripley and Westfield. West Valley in Cattaraugus County has also drawn interest.

Despite the specific towns mentioned, Daly said there are ''tens of thousands of acres in Chautauqua County'' that could accommodate wind farms. He said between 200 and 300 turbines could come. Currently, however, he said there are three wind developers looking at areas.

In Cattaraugus County, there has recently been some discussion of wind energy in the Town of Little Valley.

Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board also met Thursday. During that session, Daly said Chautauqua County officials are working on a broadband project to bring broadband capabilities to the area.

Another project discussed was a contract between STW and Chautauqua County for the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities energy efficiency program. Daly said the BPU would charge a percentage of a cent per kilowatt to earn $500,000 a year for energy efficiency programs. He said an energy conference will be held in Chautauqua County Nov. 14 and 15 to discuss energy programs such as landfill-to-energy programs.

''We're going to be the first county in New York state (to use methane gas from landfills for energy),'' he said.

In other news, area municipalities that have received shared municipal services incentive grants include:

Silver Creek, getting $96,000 for the village and school to share snow-clearing services.

Chautauqua County, to get $173,880 for road maintenance review.

the Town of New Albion, to get $242,132 for a sand salt storage for the town and Village of Cattaraugus.

the Town of Sherman, to get $288,206 for a town/village highway building.