SCRANTON -- A New York wind turbine development company says it hopes to build a manufacturing facility in northeastern Pennsylvania by next year.
Officials from WindTamer Corp. of Rochester were touring facilities in Jessup in Lackawanna County on Tuesday and planned to visit at least two Wilkes-Barre locations in the coming weeks.
Company president and CEO Bill Schmitz said officials hope to bring a facility to the area by the beginning of 2011, creating nearly 400 jobs over the next three years.
Officials say the company sees small wind turbines, those producing no more than 100 kilowatts of power, as viable for commercial, residential and agricultural growth. Schmitz says the region of northeastern Pennsylvania, "with the wind coming over the mountains, is perfect" for the industry.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
State to pick up records in probe of Cape Vincent
CAPE VINCENT — Staff from the state attorney general's office will be in town Friday to pick up records as part of an investigation into allegations of misconduct by some town officials in connection to wind power development.
The office ordered all documents from the Town Council and Planning Board related to wind development be turned over in an Aug. 13 letter. Town Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey said Tuesday that four boxes of materials have been collected, which comprise all of what the attorney general requested. He said interviews had not been scheduled yet with town officials about the material.
Mr. Hirschey will not call a second special meeting to vote on a moratorium on wind power development. A meeting Aug. 17 resulted in no change, because two councilmen were not present. The next council meeting is at 6 p.m. Sept. 9.
The office ordered all documents from the Town Council and Planning Board related to wind development be turned over in an Aug. 13 letter. Town Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey said Tuesday that four boxes of materials have been collected, which comprise all of what the attorney general requested. He said interviews had not been scheduled yet with town officials about the material.
Mr. Hirschey will not call a second special meeting to vote on a moratorium on wind power development. A meeting Aug. 17 resulted in no change, because two councilmen were not present. The next council meeting is at 6 p.m. Sept. 9.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Wind Power Won't Cool Down the Planet
The wind industry has achieved remarkable growth largely due to the claim that it will provide major reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. There's just one problem: It's not true. A slew of recent studies show that wind-generated electricity likely won't result in any reduction in carbon emissions—or that they'll be so small as to be almost meaningless.
This issue is especially important now that states are mandating that utilities produce arbitrary amounts of their electricity from renewable sources. By 2020, for example, California will require utilities to obtain 33% of their electricity from renewables. About 30 states, including Connecticut, Minnesota and Hawaii, are requiring major increases in the production of renewable electricity over the coming years.
Wind—not solar or geothermal sources—must provide most of this electricity. It's the only renewable source that can rapidly scale up to meet the requirements of the mandates. This means billions more in taxpayer subsidies for the wind industry and higher electricity costs for consumers.
None of it will lead to major cuts in carbon emissions, for two reasons. First, wind blows only intermittently and variably. Second, wind-generated electricity largely displaces power produced by natural gas-fired generators, rather than that from plants burning more carbon-intensive coal.
Because wind blows intermittently, electric utilities must either keep their conventional power plants running all the time to make sure the lights don't go dark, or continually ramp up and down the output from conventional coal- or gas-fired generators (called "cycling"). But coal-fired and gas-fired generators are designed to run continuously, and if they don't, fuel consumption and emissions generally increase. A car analogy helps explain: An automobile that operates at a constant speed—say, 55 miles per hour—will have better fuel efficiency, and emit less pollution per mile traveled, than one that is stuck in stop-and-go traffic.
Recent research strongly suggests how this problem defeats the alleged carbon-reducing virtues of wind power. In April, Bentek Energy, a Colorado-based energy analytics firm, looked at power plant records in Colorado and Texas. (It was commissioned by the Independent Petroleum Association of the Mountain States.) Bentek concluded that despite huge investments, wind-generated electricity "has had minimal, if any, impact on carbon dioxide" emissions.
Bentek found that thanks to the cycling of Colorado's coal-fired plants in 2009, at least 94,000 more pounds of carbon dioxide were generated because of the repeated cycling. In Texas, Bentek estimated that the cycling of power plants due to increased use of wind energy resulted in a slight savings of carbon dioxide (about 600 tons) in 2008 and a slight increase (of about 1,000 tons) in 2009.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has estimated the potential savings from a nationwide 25% renewable electricity standard, a goal included in the Waxman-Markey energy bill that narrowly passed the House last year. Best-case scenario: about 306 million tons less CO2 by 2030. Given that the agency expects annual U.S. carbon emissions to be about 6.2 billion tons in 2030, that expected reduction will only equal about 4.9% of emissions nationwide. That's not much when you consider that the Obama administration wants to cut CO2 emissions 80% by 2050.
Earlier this year, another arm of the Department of Energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, released a report whose conclusions were remarkably similar to those of the EIA. This report focused on integrating wind energy into the electric grid in the Eastern U.S., which has about two-thirds of the country's electric load. If wind energy were to meet 20% of electric needs in this region by 2024, according to the report, the likely reduction in carbon emissions would be less than 200 million tons per year. All the scenarios it considered will cost at least $140 billion to implement. And the issue of cycling conventional power plants is only mentioned in passing.
Coal emits about twice as much CO2 during combustion as natural gas. But wind generation mostly displaces natural gas, because natural gas-fired generators are often the most costly form of conventional electricity production. Yet if regulators are truly concerned about reducing carbon emissions and air pollution, they should be encouraging gas-fired generation at the expense of coal. And they should be doing so because U.S. natural gas resources are now likely large enough to meet all of America's natural gas needs for a century.
Meanwhile, the wind industry is pocketing subsidies that dwarf those garnered by the oil and gas sector. The federal government provides a production tax credit of $0.022 for each kilowatt-hour of electricity produced by wind. That amounts to $6.44 per million BTU of energy produced. In 2008, however, the EIA reported subsidies to oil and gas totaled $1.9 billion per year, or about $0.03 per million BTU of energy produced. Wind subsidies are more than 200 times as great as those given to oil and gas on the basis of per-unit-of-energy produced.
Perhaps it comes down to what Kevin Forbes, the director of the Center for the Study of Energy and Environmental Stewardship at Catholic University, told me: "Wind energy gives people a nice warm fuzzy feeling that we're taking action on climate change." Yet when it comes to CO2 emissions, "the reality is that it's not doing much of anything."
This issue is especially important now that states are mandating that utilities produce arbitrary amounts of their electricity from renewable sources. By 2020, for example, California will require utilities to obtain 33% of their electricity from renewables. About 30 states, including Connecticut, Minnesota and Hawaii, are requiring major increases in the production of renewable electricity over the coming years.
Wind—not solar or geothermal sources—must provide most of this electricity. It's the only renewable source that can rapidly scale up to meet the requirements of the mandates. This means billions more in taxpayer subsidies for the wind industry and higher electricity costs for consumers.
None of it will lead to major cuts in carbon emissions, for two reasons. First, wind blows only intermittently and variably. Second, wind-generated electricity largely displaces power produced by natural gas-fired generators, rather than that from plants burning more carbon-intensive coal.
Because wind blows intermittently, electric utilities must either keep their conventional power plants running all the time to make sure the lights don't go dark, or continually ramp up and down the output from conventional coal- or gas-fired generators (called "cycling"). But coal-fired and gas-fired generators are designed to run continuously, and if they don't, fuel consumption and emissions generally increase. A car analogy helps explain: An automobile that operates at a constant speed—say, 55 miles per hour—will have better fuel efficiency, and emit less pollution per mile traveled, than one that is stuck in stop-and-go traffic.
Recent research strongly suggests how this problem defeats the alleged carbon-reducing virtues of wind power. In April, Bentek Energy, a Colorado-based energy analytics firm, looked at power plant records in Colorado and Texas. (It was commissioned by the Independent Petroleum Association of the Mountain States.) Bentek concluded that despite huge investments, wind-generated electricity "has had minimal, if any, impact on carbon dioxide" emissions.
Bentek found that thanks to the cycling of Colorado's coal-fired plants in 2009, at least 94,000 more pounds of carbon dioxide were generated because of the repeated cycling. In Texas, Bentek estimated that the cycling of power plants due to increased use of wind energy resulted in a slight savings of carbon dioxide (about 600 tons) in 2008 and a slight increase (of about 1,000 tons) in 2009.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has estimated the potential savings from a nationwide 25% renewable electricity standard, a goal included in the Waxman-Markey energy bill that narrowly passed the House last year. Best-case scenario: about 306 million tons less CO2 by 2030. Given that the agency expects annual U.S. carbon emissions to be about 6.2 billion tons in 2030, that expected reduction will only equal about 4.9% of emissions nationwide. That's not much when you consider that the Obama administration wants to cut CO2 emissions 80% by 2050.
Earlier this year, another arm of the Department of Energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, released a report whose conclusions were remarkably similar to those of the EIA. This report focused on integrating wind energy into the electric grid in the Eastern U.S., which has about two-thirds of the country's electric load. If wind energy were to meet 20% of electric needs in this region by 2024, according to the report, the likely reduction in carbon emissions would be less than 200 million tons per year. All the scenarios it considered will cost at least $140 billion to implement. And the issue of cycling conventional power plants is only mentioned in passing.
Coal emits about twice as much CO2 during combustion as natural gas. But wind generation mostly displaces natural gas, because natural gas-fired generators are often the most costly form of conventional electricity production. Yet if regulators are truly concerned about reducing carbon emissions and air pollution, they should be encouraging gas-fired generation at the expense of coal. And they should be doing so because U.S. natural gas resources are now likely large enough to meet all of America's natural gas needs for a century.
Meanwhile, the wind industry is pocketing subsidies that dwarf those garnered by the oil and gas sector. The federal government provides a production tax credit of $0.022 for each kilowatt-hour of electricity produced by wind. That amounts to $6.44 per million BTU of energy produced. In 2008, however, the EIA reported subsidies to oil and gas totaled $1.9 billion per year, or about $0.03 per million BTU of energy produced. Wind subsidies are more than 200 times as great as those given to oil and gas on the basis of per-unit-of-energy produced.
Perhaps it comes down to what Kevin Forbes, the director of the Center for the Study of Energy and Environmental Stewardship at Catholic University, told me: "Wind energy gives people a nice warm fuzzy feeling that we're taking action on climate change." Yet when it comes to CO2 emissions, "the reality is that it's not doing much of anything."
Monday, August 23, 2010
Irondequoit planning to start studying wind farms
The Irondequoit Town Board may be the next local political body asked to come out in opposition to the proposal for wind farms in Lake Ontario, though two board members say they've got some learning to do first.
The boards of shoreline towns on either side of Irondequoit — Webster and Greece — have passed resolutions in recent weeks expressing opposition to the New York Power Authority's plan for offshore wind turbines. In addition, 12 Monroe County legislators have signed a resolution of opposition, though 17 others opted not to sign.
Members of Great Lakes Concerned Citizens, which has been lobbying lawmakers all along the Lake Ontario shoreline, have said several times that Irondequoit is their next target.
But while the matter will be discussed, no resolution is in the immediate offing, one Irondequoit board member said.
"It's on our table, or will be soon. The supervisor mentioned that in our next meeting or so we're going to start studying it and talking about it," said Paul Marasco. "I don't think there will be any resolution in the next couple of months."
Another board member, Stephanie Aldersley, said one opponent had spoken before the board so far.
"She was kind of warning us about the downside of wind turbines. But in all honesty, our board has not yet studied the issue fully or taken a unified position on it," she said.
"I personally need to educate myself more about them," Aldersley said.
Lack of information about the proposed wind farms has been a persistent criticism. The power authority has been promoting the project for two years and in June began reviewing five proposals from private-sector wind developers.
But the Westchester-based authority won't release any information about the proposals, including where the developers are seeking to erect turbines.
Numerous places along the Lake Ontario and Lake Erie shorelines were listed as "technically suitable" for off-shore turbines in a power authority study, including the area from the town of Greece east to Webster and into Wayne County.
The agency said it will make details public after it selects a developer.
Carmen Gumina, a Monroe County legislator whose Webster district includes that town's shoreline, said Thursday evening that his unwillingness to sign the county resolution was due to the fact that "there's so little information out there, I cannot make an informed decision at this time."
"I'm just waiting for more info to come out, to look at the merits of the project," he said.
He said his refusal to sign the opponents' resolution "doesn't imply that I am for the project."
Gumina, a Republican, also said he was "disappointed that the power authority has not been forthcoming with details and has basically ignored Freedom of Information requests. I would expect that they would be more forthcoming for a project like this."
His reference was to Freedom of Information Law requests for copies of the five proposals. One was filed by the Democrat and Chronicle in June, and another was filed this week by state Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane, Niagara County.
The request by Maziarz, who chairs the Senate energy committee, is still pending. The authority has denied the FOIL request filed by the newspaper but is a month beyond the legal deadline for responding to an appeal of the denial.
A spokeswoman for the authority, Connie Cullen, said Friday the agency expects to release a decision on the newspaper's FOIL appeal next week.
The boards of shoreline towns on either side of Irondequoit — Webster and Greece — have passed resolutions in recent weeks expressing opposition to the New York Power Authority's plan for offshore wind turbines. In addition, 12 Monroe County legislators have signed a resolution of opposition, though 17 others opted not to sign.
Members of Great Lakes Concerned Citizens, which has been lobbying lawmakers all along the Lake Ontario shoreline, have said several times that Irondequoit is their next target.
But while the matter will be discussed, no resolution is in the immediate offing, one Irondequoit board member said.
"It's on our table, or will be soon. The supervisor mentioned that in our next meeting or so we're going to start studying it and talking about it," said Paul Marasco. "I don't think there will be any resolution in the next couple of months."
Another board member, Stephanie Aldersley, said one opponent had spoken before the board so far.
"She was kind of warning us about the downside of wind turbines. But in all honesty, our board has not yet studied the issue fully or taken a unified position on it," she said.
"I personally need to educate myself more about them," Aldersley said.
Lack of information about the proposed wind farms has been a persistent criticism. The power authority has been promoting the project for two years and in June began reviewing five proposals from private-sector wind developers.
But the Westchester-based authority won't release any information about the proposals, including where the developers are seeking to erect turbines.
Numerous places along the Lake Ontario and Lake Erie shorelines were listed as "technically suitable" for off-shore turbines in a power authority study, including the area from the town of Greece east to Webster and into Wayne County.
The agency said it will make details public after it selects a developer.
Carmen Gumina, a Monroe County legislator whose Webster district includes that town's shoreline, said Thursday evening that his unwillingness to sign the county resolution was due to the fact that "there's so little information out there, I cannot make an informed decision at this time."
"I'm just waiting for more info to come out, to look at the merits of the project," he said.
He said his refusal to sign the opponents' resolution "doesn't imply that I am for the project."
Gumina, a Republican, also said he was "disappointed that the power authority has not been forthcoming with details and has basically ignored Freedom of Information requests. I would expect that they would be more forthcoming for a project like this."
His reference was to Freedom of Information Law requests for copies of the five proposals. One was filed by the Democrat and Chronicle in June, and another was filed this week by state Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane, Niagara County.
The request by Maziarz, who chairs the Senate energy committee, is still pending. The authority has denied the FOIL request filed by the newspaper but is a month beyond the legal deadline for responding to an appeal of the denial.
A spokeswoman for the authority, Connie Cullen, said Friday the agency expects to release a decision on the newspaper's FOIL appeal next week.
Resolution opposing area wind farm short of majority
Opponents who hoped Monroe would become the fifth New York county to reject the idea of offshore wind farms have fallen a little short.
An advisory resolution opposing the New York Power Authority plan to locate wind turbines in Lake Ontario or Lake Erie has been signed by 12 of 29 Monroe County legislators, three short of a majority.
The 12 county lawmakers who endorsed the nonbinding resolution were Republicans. Four Republicans and all 13 Democrats declined to sign the resolution, which was offered by Rick Antelli, a Republican who represents shoreline neighborhoods in Greece.
Vincent Esposito, D-Irondequoit, was one of two legislators representing shoreline districts who refused to sign the resolution. "I'm very gratified that a bipartisan majority of the legislation has agreed to wait" before passing judgment on the offshore wind proposal, he said.
The New York Power Authority is currently reviewing five proposals from private-sector wind developers to build offshore wind turbines somewhere in lakes Ontario or Erie. The agency has urged public officials and citizens to be patient until a developer is chosen and a location revealed, likely in late 2010 or early 2011.
"We respect the legislators' vote on the initiative and the decision to wait until a development option is selected," said NYPA spokeswoman Connie Cullen. Once that happens, she said, "the project's details will be disclosed and discussed publicly over an extended period of time."
The authority has denied a Freedom of Information law request by the Democrat and Chronicle for the five developers' proposals, and is more than a month late responding to an appeal of that denial.
Antelli said many of his constituents had already decided they want nothing to do with 400-foot-tall turbines a few miles off the Monroe shoreline.
"Pretty much my goal was to represent the people in the 7th Legislative District. The other legislators had to take a look at what their constituents are requesting of them," Antelli said Thursday when asked about the fate of the resolution. "Overall, I'm pleased."
Lawmakers in Wayne, Oswego, Jefferson and Chautauqua counties have voted by wide margins to oppose the plan by the New York Power Authority to locate one or more wind farms in the near-shore waters of lakes Ontario or Erie. The Niagara County Legislature endorsed the authority proposal last year, but recently named a panel to revisit that decision.
Unlike those counties, Monroe's legislature did not hold a public discussion or vote. Instead, it used a more informal process in which Antelli submitted a resolution of opposition to his colleagues for their signatures. It took until Thursday for legislative officials to get final word as to who had signed on.
Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks, meanwhile, is maintaining a neutral stance on the project.
"The county executive does not have an official position. She is listening to advocates on both sides of the issue. She thinks it's helpful to have a robust public debate," Noah Lebowitz, a spokesman for the Brooks administration, said last week.
Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy said last week he believes passing resolutions of opposition is short-sighted. "We need to look at this for the long term and explore this," he said.
Duffy, who is running for lieutenant governor, said offshore wind farms were desirable as a source of renewable energy and, potentially, a source of jobs and economic growth for the Rochester region.
But, he said he knows people have legitimate concerns about the turbines, especially their esthetic impact. "If they buy a home on Beach Avenue or anywhere along the lake, they want to look out their windows every morning and see the water. I respect that," Duffy said. "I don't think we in any way can make a rash decision. If we put our minds together, I bet we could come up with some alternatives and compromises that could produce that first wind farm."
Of the five Monroe County legislators who represent part of the Lake Ontario shoreline, Antelli, Richard Yolevich, R-Parma, and Mike Rockow, R-Sweden, signed the anti-wind farm resolution. Two others, Esposito and Carmen Gumina, R-Webster, did not. Gumina's non-signature is noteworthy, as the Webster Town Board has passed its own resolution of opposition.
Gumina did not return a telephone message or an e-mail requesting comment.
An advisory resolution opposing the New York Power Authority plan to locate wind turbines in Lake Ontario or Lake Erie has been signed by 12 of 29 Monroe County legislators, three short of a majority.
The 12 county lawmakers who endorsed the nonbinding resolution were Republicans. Four Republicans and all 13 Democrats declined to sign the resolution, which was offered by Rick Antelli, a Republican who represents shoreline neighborhoods in Greece.
Vincent Esposito, D-Irondequoit, was one of two legislators representing shoreline districts who refused to sign the resolution. "I'm very gratified that a bipartisan majority of the legislation has agreed to wait" before passing judgment on the offshore wind proposal, he said.
The New York Power Authority is currently reviewing five proposals from private-sector wind developers to build offshore wind turbines somewhere in lakes Ontario or Erie. The agency has urged public officials and citizens to be patient until a developer is chosen and a location revealed, likely in late 2010 or early 2011.
"We respect the legislators' vote on the initiative and the decision to wait until a development option is selected," said NYPA spokeswoman Connie Cullen. Once that happens, she said, "the project's details will be disclosed and discussed publicly over an extended period of time."
The authority has denied a Freedom of Information law request by the Democrat and Chronicle for the five developers' proposals, and is more than a month late responding to an appeal of that denial.
Antelli said many of his constituents had already decided they want nothing to do with 400-foot-tall turbines a few miles off the Monroe shoreline.
"Pretty much my goal was to represent the people in the 7th Legislative District. The other legislators had to take a look at what their constituents are requesting of them," Antelli said Thursday when asked about the fate of the resolution. "Overall, I'm pleased."
Lawmakers in Wayne, Oswego, Jefferson and Chautauqua counties have voted by wide margins to oppose the plan by the New York Power Authority to locate one or more wind farms in the near-shore waters of lakes Ontario or Erie. The Niagara County Legislature endorsed the authority proposal last year, but recently named a panel to revisit that decision.
Unlike those counties, Monroe's legislature did not hold a public discussion or vote. Instead, it used a more informal process in which Antelli submitted a resolution of opposition to his colleagues for their signatures. It took until Thursday for legislative officials to get final word as to who had signed on.
Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks, meanwhile, is maintaining a neutral stance on the project.
"The county executive does not have an official position. She is listening to advocates on both sides of the issue. She thinks it's helpful to have a robust public debate," Noah Lebowitz, a spokesman for the Brooks administration, said last week.
Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy said last week he believes passing resolutions of opposition is short-sighted. "We need to look at this for the long term and explore this," he said.
Duffy, who is running for lieutenant governor, said offshore wind farms were desirable as a source of renewable energy and, potentially, a source of jobs and economic growth for the Rochester region.
But, he said he knows people have legitimate concerns about the turbines, especially their esthetic impact. "If they buy a home on Beach Avenue or anywhere along the lake, they want to look out their windows every morning and see the water. I respect that," Duffy said. "I don't think we in any way can make a rash decision. If we put our minds together, I bet we could come up with some alternatives and compromises that could produce that first wind farm."
Of the five Monroe County legislators who represent part of the Lake Ontario shoreline, Antelli, Richard Yolevich, R-Parma, and Mike Rockow, R-Sweden, signed the anti-wind farm resolution. Two others, Esposito and Carmen Gumina, R-Webster, did not. Gumina's non-signature is noteworthy, as the Webster Town Board has passed its own resolution of opposition.
Gumina did not return a telephone message or an e-mail requesting comment.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
New First Wind S1 filing with the SEC
Save and download for your own safe keeping.
http://secfilings.com/searchresultswide.aspx?link=2&filingid=7423275
SEC Edgar First Wind S1 amendment 7 full filling
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amendment No. 7
to
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Wind Holdings Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
http://secfilings.com/searchresultswide.aspx?link=2&filingid=7423275
SEC Edgar First Wind S1 amendment 7 full filling
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amendment No. 7
to
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Wind Holdings Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Town accepts final impact statement
CAPE VINCENT — The town Planning Board unanimously accepted the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the St. Lawrence Wind Farm as being complete Wednesday night, a day after the Town Council here lacked the votes to suspend all wind power development.
During the roughly 20-minute meeting, board members asked for an explanation from the developer, Acciona Wind Energy USA, as to why the project was reduced from 53 turbines to 51 and whether that change affects the studies performed for the larger project.
"As long as the document remains accurate, which I believe it is, the description of 53 turbines doesn't change the rendering of those reports or make them uncredible," said the town's attorney on wind power projects, Todd M. Mathes of Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna LLP, Albany. "What you had was a study that came to some conclusions, and the footprint of the project shrank in response to it."
The board also agreed that the developer change all references of "drinking wells" to "domestic wells" in the statement.
The board, however, did not discuss discrepancies among consultants hired by the town and ones hired by the developer concerning the amount of noise created by the project.
The town's consultants, Gregory C. Tocci and William J. Elliot of Cavanaugh Tocci Associates, Sudbury, Mass., found fault with the analysis in the statement, arguing ambient noise levels have been overstated in the impact statement, which could allow higher levels of noise from turbines without violating state Department of Environmental Conservation limits.
In response, Acciona's consultant, David M. Hessler of Hessler Associates Inc., Haymarket, Va., proposed a complaint resolution procedure that involves both the developer and a town designee.
Wednesday night, all of the Planning Board's members were present except for Karen Bourcy, who is abstaining from votes concerning St. Lawrence Wind Farm because she has relatives who signed leases with Acciona, Planning Board Chairman Richard J. Edsall said.
Tuesday night, a resolution presented by Supervisor C. Urban Hirschey to halt all wind power development in the town failed to gather enough votes to pass. The supervisor said the resolution would "give the community the breathing space it needs," during the state Attorney General's investigation into wind power development.
Following Wednesday's meeting, Mr. Edsall referred all questions about the environmental impact statement to Mr. Mathes.
The attorney said copies of the statement will be sent to state and federal agencies. After 10 days, the board can complete its findings and end the environmental review. Involved agencies, but not the public, also will weigh in with findings.
Following the meeting, Cindy L. Grant, a member of Environmentally Concerned Citizens Organization, said the environmental impact statement's validity is marred by ethics complaints being investigated by the attorney general.
"This is a place where people live their whole lives and want to retire here," she said. "How can a board that is as compromised as this one make any decisions?"
Mrs. Grant said the statement fails to thoroughly study the impact the project will have on migratory patterns.
"I've seen what has happened on Wolfe Island," she said. "We don't want that to happen over here."
Art D. Pundt, Cape Vincent, echoed her concerns.
"The study doesn't matter if it was put together while there were conflicts of interest on the board," he said. The whole SEQR (state environmental quality review) process is in question."
Copies of the statement will be available at the libraries and town clerk's offices in both Cape Vincent and Lyme. It will be available on Acciona's website as well.
During the roughly 20-minute meeting, board members asked for an explanation from the developer, Acciona Wind Energy USA, as to why the project was reduced from 53 turbines to 51 and whether that change affects the studies performed for the larger project.
"As long as the document remains accurate, which I believe it is, the description of 53 turbines doesn't change the rendering of those reports or make them uncredible," said the town's attorney on wind power projects, Todd M. Mathes of Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna LLP, Albany. "What you had was a study that came to some conclusions, and the footprint of the project shrank in response to it."
The board also agreed that the developer change all references of "drinking wells" to "domestic wells" in the statement.
The board, however, did not discuss discrepancies among consultants hired by the town and ones hired by the developer concerning the amount of noise created by the project.
The town's consultants, Gregory C. Tocci and William J. Elliot of Cavanaugh Tocci Associates, Sudbury, Mass., found fault with the analysis in the statement, arguing ambient noise levels have been overstated in the impact statement, which could allow higher levels of noise from turbines without violating state Department of Environmental Conservation limits.
In response, Acciona's consultant, David M. Hessler of Hessler Associates Inc., Haymarket, Va., proposed a complaint resolution procedure that involves both the developer and a town designee.
Wednesday night, all of the Planning Board's members were present except for Karen Bourcy, who is abstaining from votes concerning St. Lawrence Wind Farm because she has relatives who signed leases with Acciona, Planning Board Chairman Richard J. Edsall said.
Tuesday night, a resolution presented by Supervisor C. Urban Hirschey to halt all wind power development in the town failed to gather enough votes to pass. The supervisor said the resolution would "give the community the breathing space it needs," during the state Attorney General's investigation into wind power development.
Following Wednesday's meeting, Mr. Edsall referred all questions about the environmental impact statement to Mr. Mathes.
The attorney said copies of the statement will be sent to state and federal agencies. After 10 days, the board can complete its findings and end the environmental review. Involved agencies, but not the public, also will weigh in with findings.
Following the meeting, Cindy L. Grant, a member of Environmentally Concerned Citizens Organization, said the environmental impact statement's validity is marred by ethics complaints being investigated by the attorney general.
"This is a place where people live their whole lives and want to retire here," she said. "How can a board that is as compromised as this one make any decisions?"
Mrs. Grant said the statement fails to thoroughly study the impact the project will have on migratory patterns.
"I've seen what has happened on Wolfe Island," she said. "We don't want that to happen over here."
Art D. Pundt, Cape Vincent, echoed her concerns.
"The study doesn't matter if it was put together while there were conflicts of interest on the board," he said. The whole SEQR (state environmental quality review) process is in question."
Copies of the statement will be available at the libraries and town clerk's offices in both Cape Vincent and Lyme. It will be available on Acciona's website as well.
Goldwind USA expands management team with former First Wind hirings
UNITED STATES: Goldwind has expanded the management team at its US subsidiary with chief executive Tim Rosenzweig bringing in two executives who have worked at his previous company First Wind.
Scott Rowland, a consultant who previously held the position of vice-president of engineering and construction with First Wind, has been appointed vice president of engineering with Goldwind US.
Additionally, Bernie Lacoste, who was previously vice-president of operations and maintenance at First Wind has been appointed director operations and services with Goldwind US. Prior to joining Goldwid he worked as an application engineer and project manager for enXco and helped the company build projects on the US mainland and Hawaii and in Central America.
The two appointments are the first major hirings by Goldwind US since it brought in Rosenzweig to be CEO from First Wind. Rosenzweig was vice-president and chief financial officer of First Wind.
Goldwind will begin manufacturing nacelles and hubs in the US next year as it strives to achieve a third of sales in overseas markets and expand sales of direct-drive turbines.
The company's US arm has opened an office in Chicago to oversee operations in sales, service and manufacturing. Target markets include both North and South America.
The parent company's chairman and CEO, Wu Gang, says the overseas push is about more than unit sales. "Goldwind will cultivate itself into a leading wind turbine supplier in the world through internationalising its capital, talents, market, technologies and products."
Scott Rowland, a consultant who previously held the position of vice-president of engineering and construction with First Wind, has been appointed vice president of engineering with Goldwind US.
Additionally, Bernie Lacoste, who was previously vice-president of operations and maintenance at First Wind has been appointed director operations and services with Goldwind US. Prior to joining Goldwid he worked as an application engineer and project manager for enXco and helped the company build projects on the US mainland and Hawaii and in Central America.
The two appointments are the first major hirings by Goldwind US since it brought in Rosenzweig to be CEO from First Wind. Rosenzweig was vice-president and chief financial officer of First Wind.
Goldwind will begin manufacturing nacelles and hubs in the US next year as it strives to achieve a third of sales in overseas markets and expand sales of direct-drive turbines.
The company's US arm has opened an office in Chicago to oversee operations in sales, service and manufacturing. Target markets include both North and South America.
The parent company's chairman and CEO, Wu Gang, says the overseas push is about more than unit sales. "Goldwind will cultivate itself into a leading wind turbine supplier in the world through internationalising its capital, talents, market, technologies and products."
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
George Maziarz demands wind farm facts
State Sen. George Maziarz of Niagara County, chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, has filed a Freedom of Information request with the New York Power Authority for copies of offshore wind energy proposals.
The authority is reviewing five private-sector proposals to construct huge wind turbines in Lake Ontario or Lake Erie. The agency won't make public any information about the proposals, which have stirred controversy in shoreline communities.
Maziarz's open-records request mirrors one filed in June by the Democrat and Chronicle for documents related to the controversial wind-farm proposal. The Power Authority denied that request, but now is four weeks overdue in answering an appeal of that denial.
Maziarz, R-Newfane, said he's hopeful his request will jar authority officials into making public the names of companies submitting proposals, the proposed turbine locations and other basic details.
"If they don't, I'm going to sue them myself. One way or the other, the information's coming out," Maziarz said Tuesday. If he did sue, Maziarz said he would do it on his own behalf and pay for it himself.
Authority spokeswoman Connie Cullen, said the agency is reviewing his FOIL request.
Authority officials have said it would jeopardize negotiations and harm the companies' interests if they released the information before trustees select the winning firm. That decision is not expected until early next year.
Maziarz acknowledged that he's had a rocky relationship with the authority, which he said stems from his belief that the authority favors downstate interests. He also said he sees parallels between the offshore proposal and a failed clean-coal project that the authority promoted in Niagara County.
"I agree with generating power from renewable sources, but it has to be practical. I wonder how practical this really is?" he said, referring to offshore turbines. He said he's unable to judge their practicality because of a lack of information.
The authority is reviewing five private-sector proposals to construct huge wind turbines in Lake Ontario or Lake Erie. The agency won't make public any information about the proposals, which have stirred controversy in shoreline communities.
Maziarz's open-records request mirrors one filed in June by the Democrat and Chronicle for documents related to the controversial wind-farm proposal. The Power Authority denied that request, but now is four weeks overdue in answering an appeal of that denial.
Maziarz, R-Newfane, said he's hopeful his request will jar authority officials into making public the names of companies submitting proposals, the proposed turbine locations and other basic details.
"If they don't, I'm going to sue them myself. One way or the other, the information's coming out," Maziarz said Tuesday. If he did sue, Maziarz said he would do it on his own behalf and pay for it himself.
Authority spokeswoman Connie Cullen, said the agency is reviewing his FOIL request.
Authority officials have said it would jeopardize negotiations and harm the companies' interests if they released the information before trustees select the winning firm. That decision is not expected until early next year.
Maziarz acknowledged that he's had a rocky relationship with the authority, which he said stems from his belief that the authority favors downstate interests. He also said he sees parallels between the offshore proposal and a failed clean-coal project that the authority promoted in Niagara County.
"I agree with generating power from renewable sources, but it has to be practical. I wonder how practical this really is?" he said, referring to offshore turbines. He said he's unable to judge their practicality because of a lack of information.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Cape council calls wind meeting
CAPE VINCENT — Members of the groups opposed to wind power development are being called to attend a special Town Council meeting tonight.
The meeting was called by Cape Vincent Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey to discuss, among other things, the "suspension of all actions pertaining to wind development" and a probe by the state attorney general's office into the actions of certain town officials in connection with wind farm development, according to a fax sent to the Times on Sunday afternoon announcing the meeting.
John L. Byrne, Cape Vincent, a critic of wind power development, said he has contacted a number of groups, including the Wind Power Ethics Group, Coalition for the Preservation of the Golden Crescent and Concerned Residents of Hammond, to attend the meeting.
"I urge anyone that cares about the issue at hand to please be present, be early and be professional," Mr. Byrne wrote in an e-mail to wind power organizations' leaders. "We need your support at this historic meeting."
Monday afternoon, Mr. Byrne said he expects a "packed house" during the meeting.
"Basically, what we are there to do is to support the supervisor's resolution, which he is going to put on the table for the board to examine," he said. "That resolution, we believe, will put a halt on all wind power development action until after the attorney general has completed his report and turned over those findings to the folks of Cape Vincent."
In the e-mail, Mr. Byrne says that "conflicted" board members might vote in favor of continuing wind power development.
A spokesman for the attorney general's office announced Friday it had conducted interviews in Cape Vincent with "parties interested in wind power" and plans to launch an investigation into potential misconduct by town officials.
The attorney general's office requested information about any present, past or future wind farm development or siting of the farms, as well as all information regarding wind turbines, wind power and related facilities or wind power projects.
By Aug. 28, the attorney general's office wants:
¦ All documents relating to town action on wind farm development, including, but not limited to, board minutes, board packages, resolutions, voting records, communications, permits, applications and licenses.
¦ All communications between or among town officials and any company engaged in wind farm development.
¦ All documents concerning any financial relationship between a town official, or their relatives, and a company engaged in wind farm development, including, but not limited to, any financial disclosures filed with the town and any board minutes reflecting any such disclosures.
The meeting will be at 7 p.m. today at the Cape Vincent Recreation Park board room at 602 S. James St.
The meeting was called by Cape Vincent Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey to discuss, among other things, the "suspension of all actions pertaining to wind development" and a probe by the state attorney general's office into the actions of certain town officials in connection with wind farm development, according to a fax sent to the Times on Sunday afternoon announcing the meeting.
John L. Byrne, Cape Vincent, a critic of wind power development, said he has contacted a number of groups, including the Wind Power Ethics Group, Coalition for the Preservation of the Golden Crescent and Concerned Residents of Hammond, to attend the meeting.
"I urge anyone that cares about the issue at hand to please be present, be early and be professional," Mr. Byrne wrote in an e-mail to wind power organizations' leaders. "We need your support at this historic meeting."
Monday afternoon, Mr. Byrne said he expects a "packed house" during the meeting.
"Basically, what we are there to do is to support the supervisor's resolution, which he is going to put on the table for the board to examine," he said. "That resolution, we believe, will put a halt on all wind power development action until after the attorney general has completed his report and turned over those findings to the folks of Cape Vincent."
In the e-mail, Mr. Byrne says that "conflicted" board members might vote in favor of continuing wind power development.
A spokesman for the attorney general's office announced Friday it had conducted interviews in Cape Vincent with "parties interested in wind power" and plans to launch an investigation into potential misconduct by town officials.
The attorney general's office requested information about any present, past or future wind farm development or siting of the farms, as well as all information regarding wind turbines, wind power and related facilities or wind power projects.
By Aug. 28, the attorney general's office wants:
¦ All documents relating to town action on wind farm development, including, but not limited to, board minutes, board packages, resolutions, voting records, communications, permits, applications and licenses.
¦ All communications between or among town officials and any company engaged in wind farm development.
¦ All documents concerning any financial relationship between a town official, or their relatives, and a company engaged in wind farm development, including, but not limited to, any financial disclosures filed with the town and any board minutes reflecting any such disclosures.
The meeting will be at 7 p.m. today at the Cape Vincent Recreation Park board room at 602 S. James St.
More than half of Britain's wind farms have been built where there is not enough wind
It's not exactly rocket science – when building a wind farm, look for a site that is, well, quite windy.
But more than half of Britain’s wind farms are operating at less than 25 per cent capacity.
In England, the figure rises to 70 per cent of onshore developments, research shows.
Experts say that over-generous subsidies mean hundreds of turbines are going up on sites that are simply not breezy enough.
Britain’s most feeble wind farm is in Blyth Harbour in Northumberland, where the nine turbines lining the East Pier reach a meagre 4.9 per cent of their capacity.
Another at Chelker reservoir in North Yorkshire operates at only 5.3 per cent of its potential, the analysis of 2009 figures provided by energy regulator Ofgem found.
The ten turbines at Burton Wold in Northamptonshire have been running for just three years, but achieved only 19 per cent capacity.
Europe’s biggest wind farm, Whitelee, near Glasgow, boasts 140 turbines. But last year they ran at less than a quarter of their capacity.
The revelation that so many wind farms are under-performing will be of interest to those who argue that they are simply expensive eyesores.
Michael Jefferson, the professor of international business and sustainability who carried out the analysis, says financial incentives designed to help Britain meet green energy targets are encouraging firms to site their developments badly.
Under the controversial Renewable Obligation scheme, British consumers pay £1billion a year in their fuel bills to subsidise the drive towards renewable energy.
Turbines operating well under capacity are still doing well out of the scheme, but Professor Jefferson, of the London Metropolitan Business School, wants the cash to be reserved for the windiest sites.
He said: ‘There is a political motivation to drive non-fossil fuel energy, which I very much respect, but we need more focus.’
He suggests that the full subsidy be restricted to turbines which achieve capacity of 30 per cent or more – managed by just eight of England’s 104 on-shore wind farms last year.
Those that fall below 25 per cent should not be eligible for any subsidy. Professor Jefferson said: ‘That would focus the mind to put them in a sensible place.’
Britain has 2,906 wind turbines spread over 264 sites. But a further 7,000 are planned for the next 12 years to meet European targets on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Nick Medic, of Renewable UK, which represents the wind industry, said talk of efficiency was ‘unhelpful’.
He added: ‘Other types of energy, from hydro to nuclear, operate at 50 per cent efficiency at best due to factors including maintenance shut downs and fluctuating demands.’
But more than half of Britain’s wind farms are operating at less than 25 per cent capacity.
In England, the figure rises to 70 per cent of onshore developments, research shows.
Experts say that over-generous subsidies mean hundreds of turbines are going up on sites that are simply not breezy enough.
Britain’s most feeble wind farm is in Blyth Harbour in Northumberland, where the nine turbines lining the East Pier reach a meagre 4.9 per cent of their capacity.
Another at Chelker reservoir in North Yorkshire operates at only 5.3 per cent of its potential, the analysis of 2009 figures provided by energy regulator Ofgem found.
The ten turbines at Burton Wold in Northamptonshire have been running for just three years, but achieved only 19 per cent capacity.
Europe’s biggest wind farm, Whitelee, near Glasgow, boasts 140 turbines. But last year they ran at less than a quarter of their capacity.
The revelation that so many wind farms are under-performing will be of interest to those who argue that they are simply expensive eyesores.
Michael Jefferson, the professor of international business and sustainability who carried out the analysis, says financial incentives designed to help Britain meet green energy targets are encouraging firms to site their developments badly.
Under the controversial Renewable Obligation scheme, British consumers pay £1billion a year in their fuel bills to subsidise the drive towards renewable energy.
Turbines operating well under capacity are still doing well out of the scheme, but Professor Jefferson, of the London Metropolitan Business School, wants the cash to be reserved for the windiest sites.
He said: ‘There is a political motivation to drive non-fossil fuel energy, which I very much respect, but we need more focus.’
He suggests that the full subsidy be restricted to turbines which achieve capacity of 30 per cent or more – managed by just eight of England’s 104 on-shore wind farms last year.
Those that fall below 25 per cent should not be eligible for any subsidy. Professor Jefferson said: ‘That would focus the mind to put them in a sensible place.’
Britain has 2,906 wind turbines spread over 264 sites. But a further 7,000 are planned for the next 12 years to meet European targets on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Nick Medic, of Renewable UK, which represents the wind industry, said talk of efficiency was ‘unhelpful’.
He added: ‘Other types of energy, from hydro to nuclear, operate at 50 per cent efficiency at best due to factors including maintenance shut downs and fluctuating demands.’
Monday, August 16, 2010
Attorney General launches investigation into wind dealings in Cape Vincent
Syracuse, NY -- The state Attorney General’s office has launched an investigation into possible misconduct by Cape Vincent officials as they consider plans to build more than 100 wind turbines in their town.
Opponents of the two proposed wind farms complained to Attorney General Andrew Cuomo that the planning process was tainted by conflicts of interest on the town board and planning board.
Two out of five town board members and three out of five planning board members either personally have agreements to lease their land to wind developers, or have relatives with wind leases. The officials or their relatives stand to profit if the wind farms are built as proposed by BP Wind Energy and Acciona SA. Nothing has been built yet.
Cape Vincent is situated at the junction of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The controversy over wind development has driven a wedge between year-round residents in favor of economic development and summer residents who say the 400-foot-tall wind turbines would mar the landscape. It was an issue in the November town supervisor race, won by a wind opponent. (Read the Feb. 14 story, "Windmills Stir Up a Storm in Cape Vincent.")
The Aug. 13 letter from the deputy chief of Cuomo’s Public Integrity Bureau gives the town two weeks to hand over all documents and communications relating to wind farm development from Jan. 1, 2005 to the present. It also seeks interviews with members of the town and planning boards during that time period.
A spokesman for Cuomo’s office confirmed the existence of the investigation but declined to elaborate.
Town Supervisor Urban Hirschey called a special town board meeting for Tuesday in Cape Vincent’s recreation hall to discuss how the town will fulfill the state’s request for documents.
He also will propose a suspension of all action on the wind farms until the investigation is concluded. This would be the second time Hirschey has sought to halt wind development. On Jan. 14, a moratorium he proposed was defeated, 3-2.
“It’s unlikely that this will (pass),” he said Monday.
The matter may not come to a vote at all. Two of the board’s five members are on vacation and thus far unreachable, Hirschey said, so the board may not have a quorum.
In 2008, Cuomo announced the establishment of a wind industry ethics code that bans wind companies from hiring municipal employees or their relatives, or from giving them gifts. Companies also must disclose the names of all municipal officers or their relatives who have a financial stake in wind farm development. Both BP and Acciona agreed to the code and disclosed their relationships with municipal officials.
Cuomo, a Democrat, is running for governor on a platform that includes strengthening government ethics.
Marie Morelli can be reached at mmorelli@syracuse.com and 470-2220.
Opponents of the two proposed wind farms complained to Attorney General Andrew Cuomo that the planning process was tainted by conflicts of interest on the town board and planning board.
Two out of five town board members and three out of five planning board members either personally have agreements to lease their land to wind developers, or have relatives with wind leases. The officials or their relatives stand to profit if the wind farms are built as proposed by BP Wind Energy and Acciona SA. Nothing has been built yet.
Cape Vincent is situated at the junction of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The controversy over wind development has driven a wedge between year-round residents in favor of economic development and summer residents who say the 400-foot-tall wind turbines would mar the landscape. It was an issue in the November town supervisor race, won by a wind opponent. (Read the Feb. 14 story, "Windmills Stir Up a Storm in Cape Vincent.")
The Aug. 13 letter from the deputy chief of Cuomo’s Public Integrity Bureau gives the town two weeks to hand over all documents and communications relating to wind farm development from Jan. 1, 2005 to the present. It also seeks interviews with members of the town and planning boards during that time period.
A spokesman for Cuomo’s office confirmed the existence of the investigation but declined to elaborate.
Town Supervisor Urban Hirschey called a special town board meeting for Tuesday in Cape Vincent’s recreation hall to discuss how the town will fulfill the state’s request for documents.
He also will propose a suspension of all action on the wind farms until the investigation is concluded. This would be the second time Hirschey has sought to halt wind development. On Jan. 14, a moratorium he proposed was defeated, 3-2.
“It’s unlikely that this will (pass),” he said Monday.
The matter may not come to a vote at all. Two of the board’s five members are on vacation and thus far unreachable, Hirschey said, so the board may not have a quorum.
In 2008, Cuomo announced the establishment of a wind industry ethics code that bans wind companies from hiring municipal employees or their relatives, or from giving them gifts. Companies also must disclose the names of all municipal officers or their relatives who have a financial stake in wind farm development. Both BP and Acciona agreed to the code and disclosed their relationships with municipal officials.
Cuomo, a Democrat, is running for governor on a platform that includes strengthening government ethics.
Marie Morelli can be reached at mmorelli@syracuse.com and 470-2220.
Wind turbines and health
Editor’s note: National Wind Watch has compiled a lengthy list of articles on what is basically Wind Turbine Syndrome, going back to 2004. From around the world. This is not an exhaustive list, but it’s pretty darn impressive. Click here to go to the original article, where the articles are hot-linked for ease of accessing
Milner, Catherine (January 25, 2004). Telegraph. “Wind farms ‘make people sick who live up to a mile away’” [1].
Keller, James (May 13, 2006). Hamilton Spectator. “Family says turbine vibrations made them ill enough to move” [2].
Kriz, Kathy (October 12, 2006). WHAM-TV. “Could Wind Turbines Be A Health Hazard?” [3].
Chronicle Herald (August 27, 2007). “Quietly sounding alarm; Forced from home after noise from wind farm turbines made family sick, d’Entremont telling others his story” [4].
St. James, Janet (July 29, 2008). WFAA-TV. “Neighbors claim wind turbine makes them ill” [5].
CTV (September 28, 2008). “Wind turbines cause health problems, residents say” [6].
Keen, Judy (November 3, 2008). USA Today. “Neighbors at odds over noise from wind turbines” [7].
Tilkin, Dan (November 14, 2008). KATU-TV. “Wind farms: Is there a hidden health hazard?” [8].
Sudekum Fisher, Maria (February 3, 2009). Associated Press. “NW Missouri man sues Deere, wind energy company” [9].
Takeda, Tsuyoshi (February 6, 2009). Asahi Shimbun. “Something in the Wind as Mystery Illnesses Rise” [10].
Blaney Flietner, Maureen. Bobvila.com. “Green Backlash: The Wind Turbine Controversy” [11].
Nelson, Bob (March 2, 2009). Morning Show, KFIX. “Wind farms: Interview of Malone and Johnsburg residents” [12].
Mills, Erin (March 8, 2009). East Oregonian. “Loud as the wind: Wind tower neighbors complain of noise fallout” [13].
Miller, Scott. A-News, CTV Globe Media. “Wind Turbines Driving People From Their Homes” [14].
Tremonti, Anna Maria (April 14, 2009). The Current, CBC Radio One. “Wind Turbines: Health” [15].
CBC News. April 14, 2009. “Wind turbines causing health problems, some Ont. residents say” [16].
Buurma, Christine (April 21, 2009). Wall Street Journal. “Noise, Shadows Raise Hurdles For Wind Farms” [17].
CTV Toronto (April 22, 2009). “Reports of wind farm health problems growing” [18].
Canadian Press (April 23, 2009). CBC News. “Formal study needed into health effects of wind turbines, doctor says” [19].
Miller, Scott. A-News, CTV Globe Media. “Daughter’s Earaches Blamed On Wind Farm” [20].
Epp, Peter (May 5, 2009). “Survey points to health woes arising from wind turbines” [21].
Mayne, Paul (May 7, 2009). Western News. “Is public’s health blowing in the wind?” [22].
Delaney, Joan (May 13, 2009). The Epoch Times. “Wind turbines blamed for adverse health effects” [23].
Alteri, Beth (May 15, 2009). WLBZ2. “Does wind turbine noise affect your sleep or health?” [24].
Hale, Caleb (May 23, 2009). Southern Illinoisan. “Health can be a key issue when living near wind farm” [25].
Hessling, Kate (June 4, 2009). Huron Daily Tribune. “Solutions sought for turbine noise” [26].
Boles, Stephen (June 7, 2009). Red, Green and Blue. “Wind Turbine Syndrome: Are wind farms hazardous to human health?” [27].
Kart, Jeff (June 11, 2009). Bay City Times. “Wind turbine noise is rattling some residents in Michigan’s Thumb” [28].
Walsh, Bill (June 19, 2009). WNEM. “Wind Farms Ruining Quality of Life?” [29].
Hundertmark, Susan (June 24, 2009). Lucknow Sentinel. “St. Columban residents get informed on wind turbine health concerns” [30].
Yoshida, Noriyuki; and Yasuda, Koichi (July 1, 2009). Daily Yomiuri. “Wind power has its own environmental problems” [31].
ABC News (July 15, 2009). “Wind turbine noise ‘forces’ couple out” [32].
Pagano, Margareta (August 2, 2009). The Independent. “Are wind farms a health risk? US scientist identifies ‘wind turbine syndrome’” [33].
Martin, Daniel (August 2, 2009). Daily Mail. “Living near a wind farm can cause heart disease, panic attacks and migraines” [34].
Stewart, Linda (August 3, 2009). Belfast Telegraph. “Is it dangerous to live close to wind turbines?” [35].
Woodrow, Shane (August 6, 2009). WIN TV. “Windfarm Research” [36].
Anne Ravana (August 7, 2009). Maine Public Broadcasting Network. “Discontent of Mars Hill Residents Leads to Lawsuit Against First Wind” [37].
Baca, Nathan (August 11, 2009). KESQ. “Migraine, Wind Turbine Connection Still Being Examined” [38].
Lynds, Jen (August 12, 2009). Bangor Daily News. “Mars Hill windmills prompt civil lawsuit” [39].
A Current Affair (August 14, 2009). Nine-MSN. “Electricity nightmares” [40].
Wind Concerns Ontario (August 16, 2009). “Wind Victims Gagged and Silenced in Ontario” [41].
ABC News (August 18, 2009). “Pyrenees Shire questions wind farm noise” [42].
Wilson, Lauren (August 22, 2009). The Australian. “Farmers flee as turbines trigger despair” [43].
Wilson, Lauren (August 24, 2009). The Australian. “No relief for land owners affected by wind farms” [44].
ABC News (August 28, 2009). “Govt urged to probe wind farm illness claims” [45].
ABC News (September 4, 2009). “Qld noise experts to test Waubra wind farm” [46].
Hall, Cheryl (September 4, 2009). Stateline Victoria, ABC. “Wind Farms causing head spins” [47].
Reading, Lyndal (September 7, 2009). Weekly Times. “Anger over wind turbine noise” [48].
Chatham Daily News (September 22, 2009). “Wind turbines still a problem for some” [49]
Brown, Judy (September 30, 2009). Farm Country. “Wind turbines generate health, farming concerns”.
Stevens, Kim (October 15, 2009). The Courier. “Health check at Waubra wind farm” [50].
Whittle, Julian (October 22, 2009). News & Star. “Living near turbines is ‘mental torture’, Carlisle inquiry told” [51].
Vivian, Richard (November 12, 2009). Orangeville Banner. “Answers definitely not blowing in the wind” [52].
Vivian, Richard (November 16, 2009). Orangeville Banner. “No proven link exists between wind turbines, health problems” [53].
Vivian, Richard (November 19, 2009). Orangeville Banner. “MOE pledges ongoing research on turbines, health” [54].
CBC News (November 18, 2009). “Wind power health effects queried by municipal group” [55].
Annis, Robert (November 19, 2009). Indianapolis Star. “Boone County looking into wind farm health fears” [56].
Crosby, Don (November 20, 2009). Owen Sound Sun Times “Bruce seeks wind turbine health study” [57].
Lam, Tina (November 24, 2009). Detroit Free Press “Living by wind farms no breeze, some say” [58].
Yomiuri Shimbun (November 29, 2009). “Govt to study effects of wind farms on health” [59].
Leake, Jonathan, and Byford, Harry (December 13, 2009). Sunday Times. “Officials cover up wind farm noise report” [60].
White, Leslie (December 24, 2009). Weekly Times. “Report critical of wind farms” [61].
Braithwaite, Chris (December 30, 2009). Chronicle [62]. “Wind tower neighbor bought out for health reasons” [63].
Schliesmann, Paul (January 16, 2010). Whig-Standard. “Wind turbines: Expert says people are suffering health problems from being too close to structures” [64].
Ito, Aya; and Takeda, Tsuyoshi (January 19, 2010). Asahi Shimbun. “Sickness claims prompt study of wind turbines” [65].
Squair, Sylvia (February 4, 2010). “Throwing Caution to the Wind” [66].
Hall, Cheryl (February 19, 2010). Stateline Victoria, ABC News. “Claims of wind farm illness” [67].
Bryce, Robert (March 1, 2010). Wall Street Journal. “The Brewing Tempest Over Wind Power” [68].
ABC News (March 4, 2010). “Govt to investigate wind farm complaints” [69].
Fox Business (March 4, 2010). “Wind Farms Causing Health Problems?” [70].
Gray, Louise (March 6, 2010). Telegraph. “Noise complaints about one in six wind farms” [71].
Martin, Steve (March 16, 2010). Ballarat Mornings, ABC Victoria. “Wind Turbine Syndrome with Dr Nina Pierpont” [72].
Snyder, Paul (April 1, 2010). Daily Reporter. “Landowners sue Invenergy over Forward Wind Energy Center” [73].
Spolar, Matthew (April 12, 2010). Concord Monitor. “Effects of turbines in question” [74].
Kottke, Colleen (April 18, 2010). Fond du Lac Reporter. “Oakfield couple files PSC complaint over wind farm” [75].
Roper, Matt (April 19, 2010). Daily Mirror. “Couple driven out by noisy wind turbines sue for £380,000″ [76].
BBC News (April 27, 2010). “Lincolnshire windfarm rejected to help autistic boys” [77].
Oike, Yuki Tsuruta (April 30, 2010). “Japanese conference against big wind” [78].
Mulholland, Jessica (March 1, 2010). Governing. “Are Wind Farms a Health Risk?” [79].
Snyder, Paul (May 6, 2010). Daily Reporter. “Wind farm property sells at sheriff’s sale” [80].
O’Gorman, Josh (May 7, 2010). Rutland Herald. “Hospital hosts wind debate” [81].
Craddock, Chelsea (May 16, 2010). Watertown Daily Times. “Hospital shows off balance center” [82].
De Long, L. Sam (May 26, 2010). Watertown Daily Times “Another health problem caused by turbines” [83].
AAP (May 27, 2010). Herald Sun. “Sick residents claim wind farm ‘torture’” [84]
WNEM (May 28, 2010). “Homeowners File Lawsuit Over Wind Turbines” [85].
Weaver, Alex (May 29, 2010). The Standard. “An ill wind blows in” [86].
McConville, Christine (June 2, 2010). Boston Herald. “Falmouth wind-turbine noise has local residents whirling” [87].
Simpson, Barbara (June 2, 2010). Delhi News-Record. “A quiet room of their own: Residents impacted by wind turbines sleep in Delhi” [88].
Sellars, Paul (June 3, 2010). Weekly Times. “Wind turbine illness claims” [89].
Lazzaro, Kellie (July 5, 2010). ABC News. “Residents reject wind farm health findings” [90].
Australia.to News (July 27, 2010). “Family First Senator seeks enquiry into health effects of wind farms” [91].
Hugus, Elise R. (July 27, 2010). “Bylaw in the Works to Regulate Turbine Noise” [92].
Milner, Catherine (January 25, 2004). Telegraph. “Wind farms ‘make people sick who live up to a mile away’” [1].
Keller, James (May 13, 2006). Hamilton Spectator. “Family says turbine vibrations made them ill enough to move” [2].
Kriz, Kathy (October 12, 2006). WHAM-TV. “Could Wind Turbines Be A Health Hazard?” [3].
Chronicle Herald (August 27, 2007). “Quietly sounding alarm; Forced from home after noise from wind farm turbines made family sick, d’Entremont telling others his story” [4].
St. James, Janet (July 29, 2008). WFAA-TV. “Neighbors claim wind turbine makes them ill” [5].
CTV (September 28, 2008). “Wind turbines cause health problems, residents say” [6].
Keen, Judy (November 3, 2008). USA Today. “Neighbors at odds over noise from wind turbines” [7].
Tilkin, Dan (November 14, 2008). KATU-TV. “Wind farms: Is there a hidden health hazard?” [8].
Sudekum Fisher, Maria (February 3, 2009). Associated Press. “NW Missouri man sues Deere, wind energy company” [9].
Takeda, Tsuyoshi (February 6, 2009). Asahi Shimbun. “Something in the Wind as Mystery Illnesses Rise” [10].
Blaney Flietner, Maureen. Bobvila.com. “Green Backlash: The Wind Turbine Controversy” [11].
Nelson, Bob (March 2, 2009). Morning Show, KFIX. “Wind farms: Interview of Malone and Johnsburg residents” [12].
Mills, Erin (March 8, 2009). East Oregonian. “Loud as the wind: Wind tower neighbors complain of noise fallout” [13].
Miller, Scott. A-News, CTV Globe Media. “Wind Turbines Driving People From Their Homes” [14].
Tremonti, Anna Maria (April 14, 2009). The Current, CBC Radio One. “Wind Turbines: Health” [15].
CBC News. April 14, 2009. “Wind turbines causing health problems, some Ont. residents say” [16].
Buurma, Christine (April 21, 2009). Wall Street Journal. “Noise, Shadows Raise Hurdles For Wind Farms” [17].
CTV Toronto (April 22, 2009). “Reports of wind farm health problems growing” [18].
Canadian Press (April 23, 2009). CBC News. “Formal study needed into health effects of wind turbines, doctor says” [19].
Miller, Scott. A-News, CTV Globe Media. “Daughter’s Earaches Blamed On Wind Farm” [20].
Epp, Peter (May 5, 2009). “Survey points to health woes arising from wind turbines” [21].
Mayne, Paul (May 7, 2009). Western News. “Is public’s health blowing in the wind?” [22].
Delaney, Joan (May 13, 2009). The Epoch Times. “Wind turbines blamed for adverse health effects” [23].
Alteri, Beth (May 15, 2009). WLBZ2. “Does wind turbine noise affect your sleep or health?” [24].
Hale, Caleb (May 23, 2009). Southern Illinoisan. “Health can be a key issue when living near wind farm” [25].
Hessling, Kate (June 4, 2009). Huron Daily Tribune. “Solutions sought for turbine noise” [26].
Boles, Stephen (June 7, 2009). Red, Green and Blue. “Wind Turbine Syndrome: Are wind farms hazardous to human health?” [27].
Kart, Jeff (June 11, 2009). Bay City Times. “Wind turbine noise is rattling some residents in Michigan’s Thumb” [28].
Walsh, Bill (June 19, 2009). WNEM. “Wind Farms Ruining Quality of Life?” [29].
Hundertmark, Susan (June 24, 2009). Lucknow Sentinel. “St. Columban residents get informed on wind turbine health concerns” [30].
Yoshida, Noriyuki; and Yasuda, Koichi (July 1, 2009). Daily Yomiuri. “Wind power has its own environmental problems” [31].
ABC News (July 15, 2009). “Wind turbine noise ‘forces’ couple out” [32].
Pagano, Margareta (August 2, 2009). The Independent. “Are wind farms a health risk? US scientist identifies ‘wind turbine syndrome’” [33].
Martin, Daniel (August 2, 2009). Daily Mail. “Living near a wind farm can cause heart disease, panic attacks and migraines” [34].
Stewart, Linda (August 3, 2009). Belfast Telegraph. “Is it dangerous to live close to wind turbines?” [35].
Woodrow, Shane (August 6, 2009). WIN TV. “Windfarm Research” [36].
Anne Ravana (August 7, 2009). Maine Public Broadcasting Network. “Discontent of Mars Hill Residents Leads to Lawsuit Against First Wind” [37].
Baca, Nathan (August 11, 2009). KESQ. “Migraine, Wind Turbine Connection Still Being Examined” [38].
Lynds, Jen (August 12, 2009). Bangor Daily News. “Mars Hill windmills prompt civil lawsuit” [39].
A Current Affair (August 14, 2009). Nine-MSN. “Electricity nightmares” [40].
Wind Concerns Ontario (August 16, 2009). “Wind Victims Gagged and Silenced in Ontario” [41].
ABC News (August 18, 2009). “Pyrenees Shire questions wind farm noise” [42].
Wilson, Lauren (August 22, 2009). The Australian. “Farmers flee as turbines trigger despair” [43].
Wilson, Lauren (August 24, 2009). The Australian. “No relief for land owners affected by wind farms” [44].
ABC News (August 28, 2009). “Govt urged to probe wind farm illness claims” [45].
ABC News (September 4, 2009). “Qld noise experts to test Waubra wind farm” [46].
Hall, Cheryl (September 4, 2009). Stateline Victoria, ABC. “Wind Farms causing head spins” [47].
Reading, Lyndal (September 7, 2009). Weekly Times. “Anger over wind turbine noise” [48].
Chatham Daily News (September 22, 2009). “Wind turbines still a problem for some” [49]
Brown, Judy (September 30, 2009). Farm Country. “Wind turbines generate health, farming concerns”.
Stevens, Kim (October 15, 2009). The Courier. “Health check at Waubra wind farm” [50].
Whittle, Julian (October 22, 2009). News & Star. “Living near turbines is ‘mental torture’, Carlisle inquiry told” [51].
Vivian, Richard (November 12, 2009). Orangeville Banner. “Answers definitely not blowing in the wind” [52].
Vivian, Richard (November 16, 2009). Orangeville Banner. “No proven link exists between wind turbines, health problems” [53].
Vivian, Richard (November 19, 2009). Orangeville Banner. “MOE pledges ongoing research on turbines, health” [54].
CBC News (November 18, 2009). “Wind power health effects queried by municipal group” [55].
Annis, Robert (November 19, 2009). Indianapolis Star. “Boone County looking into wind farm health fears” [56].
Crosby, Don (November 20, 2009). Owen Sound Sun Times “Bruce seeks wind turbine health study” [57].
Lam, Tina (November 24, 2009). Detroit Free Press “Living by wind farms no breeze, some say” [58].
Yomiuri Shimbun (November 29, 2009). “Govt to study effects of wind farms on health” [59].
Leake, Jonathan, and Byford, Harry (December 13, 2009). Sunday Times. “Officials cover up wind farm noise report” [60].
White, Leslie (December 24, 2009). Weekly Times. “Report critical of wind farms” [61].
Braithwaite, Chris (December 30, 2009). Chronicle [62]. “Wind tower neighbor bought out for health reasons” [63].
Schliesmann, Paul (January 16, 2010). Whig-Standard. “Wind turbines: Expert says people are suffering health problems from being too close to structures” [64].
Ito, Aya; and Takeda, Tsuyoshi (January 19, 2010). Asahi Shimbun. “Sickness claims prompt study of wind turbines” [65].
Squair, Sylvia (February 4, 2010). “Throwing Caution to the Wind” [66].
Hall, Cheryl (February 19, 2010). Stateline Victoria, ABC News. “Claims of wind farm illness” [67].
Bryce, Robert (March 1, 2010). Wall Street Journal. “The Brewing Tempest Over Wind Power” [68].
ABC News (March 4, 2010). “Govt to investigate wind farm complaints” [69].
Fox Business (March 4, 2010). “Wind Farms Causing Health Problems?” [70].
Gray, Louise (March 6, 2010). Telegraph. “Noise complaints about one in six wind farms” [71].
Martin, Steve (March 16, 2010). Ballarat Mornings, ABC Victoria. “Wind Turbine Syndrome with Dr Nina Pierpont” [72].
Snyder, Paul (April 1, 2010). Daily Reporter. “Landowners sue Invenergy over Forward Wind Energy Center” [73].
Spolar, Matthew (April 12, 2010). Concord Monitor. “Effects of turbines in question” [74].
Kottke, Colleen (April 18, 2010). Fond du Lac Reporter. “Oakfield couple files PSC complaint over wind farm” [75].
Roper, Matt (April 19, 2010). Daily Mirror. “Couple driven out by noisy wind turbines sue for £380,000″ [76].
BBC News (April 27, 2010). “Lincolnshire windfarm rejected to help autistic boys” [77].
Oike, Yuki Tsuruta (April 30, 2010). “Japanese conference against big wind” [78].
Mulholland, Jessica (March 1, 2010). Governing. “Are Wind Farms a Health Risk?” [79].
Snyder, Paul (May 6, 2010). Daily Reporter. “Wind farm property sells at sheriff’s sale” [80].
O’Gorman, Josh (May 7, 2010). Rutland Herald. “Hospital hosts wind debate” [81].
Craddock, Chelsea (May 16, 2010). Watertown Daily Times. “Hospital shows off balance center” [82].
De Long, L. Sam (May 26, 2010). Watertown Daily Times “Another health problem caused by turbines” [83].
AAP (May 27, 2010). Herald Sun. “Sick residents claim wind farm ‘torture’” [84]
WNEM (May 28, 2010). “Homeowners File Lawsuit Over Wind Turbines” [85].
Weaver, Alex (May 29, 2010). The Standard. “An ill wind blows in” [86].
McConville, Christine (June 2, 2010). Boston Herald. “Falmouth wind-turbine noise has local residents whirling” [87].
Simpson, Barbara (June 2, 2010). Delhi News-Record. “A quiet room of their own: Residents impacted by wind turbines sleep in Delhi” [88].
Sellars, Paul (June 3, 2010). Weekly Times. “Wind turbine illness claims” [89].
Lazzaro, Kellie (July 5, 2010). ABC News. “Residents reject wind farm health findings” [90].
Australia.to News (July 27, 2010). “Family First Senator seeks enquiry into health effects of wind farms” [91].
Hugus, Elise R. (July 27, 2010). “Bylaw in the Works to Regulate Turbine Noise” [92].
Saturday, August 14, 2010
State probing officials at Cape
The state attorney general's office is investigating allegations of misconduct by "certain" town officials in connection with the development of wind farms.
John T. Milgrim, spokesman for the attorney general, confirmed that a letter was sent to the town and its attorney Friday afternoon informing them an investigation had been launched.
Mr. Milgrim also confirmed that two senior members of Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo's staff, Deputy Chief of Staff John B. Howard and Henry M. Greenberg, executive division counsel, were in Cape Vincent about two weeks ago conducting interviews of "parties interested in wind power."
Mr. Milgrim declined comment on details of the investigation, including what prompted it or which town officials may be its focus.
According to the letter, obtained by the Times, the attorney general has told the town it must preserve all town documents, including those of the Town Council and Planning Board, and the town is not to delete or purge any records until the investigation is complete.
The attorney general's office is specifically requesting information about any present, past or future wind farm development or siting of the farms, as well as all information regarding wind turbines, wind power and related facilities or wind power projects.
The office wants all information about wind farm development compiled since Jan. 1, 2005, "whether considered, planned, attempted or completed, including, but not limited to permitting, licensing, construction and energy production."
By Aug. 28, the attorney general's office wants:
■ All documents relating to town action on wind farm development, including, but not limited to, board minutes, board packages, resolutions, voting records, communications, permits, applications and licenses.
■ All communications between or among town officials and any company engaged in wind farm development.
■ All documents concerning any financial relationship between a town official, or their relatives, and a company engaged in wind farm development, including, but not limited to, any financial disclosures filed with the town and any board minutes reflecting any such disclosures.
The attorney general's office is asking that town Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey and Planning Board Chairman Richard J. Edsall, as well as members of the Town Council and Planning Board, be made available for interviews. The office also wants to talk to anyone else who served on either board since Jan. 1, 2005.
Acciona Wind Energy USA has proposed a 51-turbine St. Lawrence Wind Farm for the town and BP Alternative Energy has an active application for the 62-turbine Cape Vincent Wind Farm. The proposed projects have caused controversies between pro- and anti-wind advocates, including allegations of conflicts of interest among town officials.
John T. Milgrim, spokesman for the attorney general, confirmed that a letter was sent to the town and its attorney Friday afternoon informing them an investigation had been launched.
Mr. Milgrim also confirmed that two senior members of Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo's staff, Deputy Chief of Staff John B. Howard and Henry M. Greenberg, executive division counsel, were in Cape Vincent about two weeks ago conducting interviews of "parties interested in wind power."
Mr. Milgrim declined comment on details of the investigation, including what prompted it or which town officials may be its focus.
According to the letter, obtained by the Times, the attorney general has told the town it must preserve all town documents, including those of the Town Council and Planning Board, and the town is not to delete or purge any records until the investigation is complete.
The attorney general's office is specifically requesting information about any present, past or future wind farm development or siting of the farms, as well as all information regarding wind turbines, wind power and related facilities or wind power projects.
The office wants all information about wind farm development compiled since Jan. 1, 2005, "whether considered, planned, attempted or completed, including, but not limited to permitting, licensing, construction and energy production."
By Aug. 28, the attorney general's office wants:
■ All documents relating to town action on wind farm development, including, but not limited to, board minutes, board packages, resolutions, voting records, communications, permits, applications and licenses.
■ All communications between or among town officials and any company engaged in wind farm development.
■ All documents concerning any financial relationship between a town official, or their relatives, and a company engaged in wind farm development, including, but not limited to, any financial disclosures filed with the town and any board minutes reflecting any such disclosures.
The attorney general's office is asking that town Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey and Planning Board Chairman Richard J. Edsall, as well as members of the Town Council and Planning Board, be made available for interviews. The office also wants to talk to anyone else who served on either board since Jan. 1, 2005.
Acciona Wind Energy USA has proposed a 51-turbine St. Lawrence Wind Farm for the town and BP Alternative Energy has an active application for the 62-turbine Cape Vincent Wind Farm. The proposed projects have caused controversies between pro- and anti-wind advocates, including allegations of conflicts of interest among town officials.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Harris Beach influence criticized in Buffalo
A bond contract for a Buffalo project that went to the Harris Beach law firm has raised conflict-of-interest concerns and involved a local lawyer in a debate about how much influence he has, even when he doesn't exercise it.
In a front-page story Thursday, The Buffalo News reported suggestions by the Public Accountability Initiative of Buffalo that Harris Beach should not have been chosen as bond counsel for the Canal Side project because Harris Beach partner Mike Townsend of Perinton chairs the New York Power Authority.
The Power Authority is financing more than $100 million in bonds for the project over 20 years.
So the potential conflict, according to Kevin Connor, co-director of the Public Accountability Initiative, is that Harris Beach stands to make $50,000 to $100,000 from its role as bond counsel while working with an agency chaired by one of its partners.
Canal Side is a mixed-use development originally devised to attract Bass Pro Shops, a sporting goods retailer. Although Bass Pro has since pulled out, the project is moving ahead and could consist of 1 million square feet on the Lake Erie waterfront.
Another state agency, Empire State Development Corp., is overseeing Canal Side, and chose Harris Beach.
An Empire State Development official was quoted by The Buffalo News as saying the selection of Harris Beach and Townsend's position with the Power Authority were "merely coincidental."
Although Townsend wasn't involved in the selection of Harris Beach, Connor said Townsend should have disclosed to Empire State Development that he was a Harris Beach employee.
According to Harris Beach officials, Townsend was out of the office traveling on Thursday and could not be contacted. The officials said nothing was unusual in how the firm was selected.
"We have represented the Empire State Development Corp. for well over a decade and are privileged to do so," said Harris Beach's William Albert.
A scan of past stories in The Bond Buyer, an industry news magazine, shows Nixon Peabody, another large Rochester law firm, is also used regularly by Empire State Development as bond counsel.
Harris Beach's website notes Townsend's membership on the Power Authority board began in 2004. He became chairman in 2008. He also is on the board of the state Energy Research and Development Authority and serves as counsel to the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency.
JFSTINSO@DemocratandChronicle.com
In a front-page story Thursday, The Buffalo News reported suggestions by the Public Accountability Initiative of Buffalo that Harris Beach should not have been chosen as bond counsel for the Canal Side project because Harris Beach partner Mike Townsend of Perinton chairs the New York Power Authority.
The Power Authority is financing more than $100 million in bonds for the project over 20 years.
So the potential conflict, according to Kevin Connor, co-director of the Public Accountability Initiative, is that Harris Beach stands to make $50,000 to $100,000 from its role as bond counsel while working with an agency chaired by one of its partners.
Canal Side is a mixed-use development originally devised to attract Bass Pro Shops, a sporting goods retailer. Although Bass Pro has since pulled out, the project is moving ahead and could consist of 1 million square feet on the Lake Erie waterfront.
Another state agency, Empire State Development Corp., is overseeing Canal Side, and chose Harris Beach.
An Empire State Development official was quoted by The Buffalo News as saying the selection of Harris Beach and Townsend's position with the Power Authority were "merely coincidental."
Although Townsend wasn't involved in the selection of Harris Beach, Connor said Townsend should have disclosed to Empire State Development that he was a Harris Beach employee.
According to Harris Beach officials, Townsend was out of the office traveling on Thursday and could not be contacted. The officials said nothing was unusual in how the firm was selected.
"We have represented the Empire State Development Corp. for well over a decade and are privileged to do so," said Harris Beach's William Albert.
A scan of past stories in The Bond Buyer, an industry news magazine, shows Nixon Peabody, another large Rochester law firm, is also used regularly by Empire State Development as bond counsel.
Harris Beach's website notes Townsend's membership on the Power Authority board began in 2004. He became chairman in 2008. He also is on the board of the state Energy Research and Development Authority and serves as counsel to the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency.
JFSTINSO@DemocratandChronicle.com
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