Wind safety - Expand certification rule for towers

The collapse of a wind turbine in Clinton County in March 2009 initially perplexed experts and interested novices alike.

Yet the state Public Service Commission has concluded that flawed wiring installation allowed the tower to tumble at the Noble Altona Wind Park run by Noble Environmental Power LLC, the state's biggest wind developer.

When the structures lose power, they are programmed to shut down automatically. Otherwise, out-of-control, spinning turbines can bring a tower down in some cases.

It does not happen often, but it happens. A 300-foot tall, 187-ton wind turbine came crashing down in a Madison County cornfield near Fenner late last December. That is still being investigated by the owner, Enel North America Inc.

The fall of the turbine in Clinton County and the failure of a second one at the site, both due to wiring problems, have sparked a new regulation. The PSC now requires wind power developers to ensure that emergency controls will shut off turbines during power losses.

The PSC regulation will be part of the certification process for wind projects 80 megawatts and larger. But what about those less than 80 megawatts, such as the proposed St. Lawrence Wind Farm in Cape Vincent, which is slated for 79.5 megawatts?

Safety controls need to be certified for all wind farms, not just those that meet or exceed the 80 megawatts threshold.

Siting wind turbines is extremely important. Zoning debates and community discussion are crucial, and not frivolous. It has been shown that a turbine can fall. That is why every turbine should be placed where it can do the least damage if it comes crashing down.

Public safety must be the highest priority in this process. The state should exert stronger oversight of wind development, but is failing to lead the way in regulating the new industry. That leaves it to counties, local governments and ordinary citizens to monitor safety issues.

But they are ill-equipped to do so.