As the cold winter wind whips through the region, there’s one bright spot to think about — the state’s potential to harness that energy into electricity.
But that potential also brings concerns about wind turbines making noise, harming birds and disturbing the bucolic landscape.
That’s why municipalities need to take a proactive stance similar to what the town of Victor did this week.
The town board adopted a law that sets up rules regarding wind turbines. Although there are currently no wind turbines in Victor, the board decided to be proactive after seeing problems elsewhere.
Specifically, town boards in Prattsburgh and Italy have confronted lawsuits from a wind energy company.
Despite the issues, wind power is an alternative energy that belongs in a strategy of reducing this country’s dependence on fossil fuels.
Wind power doesn’t pollute and it’s a way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. And New York’s high electricity rates have long been a concern of businesses.
In terms of wind power, New York state ranks 15th in wind energy potential, according to the American Wind Energy Association. The Lake Ontario region is well suited, and the New York Power Authority is soliciting proposals from developers for lake-based turbines.
Several wind energy companies have cropped up in the region, and there’s potential to grow those, which means more job opportunities.
On Wednesday, the state Public Service Commission gave those efforts a boost when it pledged $200 million to help further develop the production of electricity by wind, water and biomass. The goal now is to have renewable energy providing 30 percent of electricity consumption in the state by 2015.
Town governments are right to be cautious about wind power, while recognizing their responsibility to help diversify energy resources.
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