Wind Power Problem in N.Y.

The northern parts of Clinton and Franklin counties have attracted wind farm developers. They have put up scores of the 400-foot-high wind turbines that will hopefully reduce some of the dependency on fossil fuel. But wind power generated to the power grid in New York is shaping up as a growing problem.

This week, former N.Y. Gov. George Pataki was in the area campaigning for Republican Sandy Treadwell, who is running for Congress in the 20th Congressional District. He said that the power grid just doesn't have the transmission lines to handle the amount of new electricity that is being generated and new transmission lines are urgently needed.

"If you want to build an interstate transmission line you have to get local, county, state and other states approval. It can take from 10 to 12 years, tens of millions of dollars and you don't know if it will happen. We need an expedited permitting process so private industry will make the investment," Pataki said.

Most wind turbine developers will agree with that. Marble River Wind Farm in Western New York has had to shut down transmission of power because the grid could not handle any more power.
The same problems exist in other states-- a problem that could restrict more clean power development.

Congressional candidate Treadwell said that if elected he would push for fast-tracking the building of additional transmission lines. That could include expediting hearings and streamlining paperwork.

"The problem is the grid capacity to take wind power. Something has to be done about that. There has to be legislation in Washington to allow capacity on the grid to allow wind," Treadwell said.

As far as these wind farms in Clinton County are concerned, there is no current problem. They will supply electricity and the grid can handle it. The issue will become more critical as more wind farms are built across the northern tier.

While the capability of producing clean energy is getting closer at hand, the ability to get it in a customer's home could still take years.