Orleans County’s skyline could look drastically different within the next few years if an international renewable energy company pursues construction of wind farms in the towns of Gaines and Albion.
A $1.6 billion company with wind energy facilities around the world, Airtricity has proposed building 55 to 80 wind turbines on land between the Erie Canal and Route 104 in Gaines and between routes 31 and 31A in Albion, said Gaines Town Supervisor Richard DeCarlo Sr.
Airtricity must conduct additional studies to determine if wind strength and other environmental conditions are conducive for a facility, but a decision should be made by the end of next year, said Joan Brown, Airtricity vice president of development in the Northeast. At that time, the permitting process will begin.
“There has to be sufficient wind to justify the investment,” Brown said. “There are different factors that go into whether or not we would get a permit. We have to do studies that could take years.”
Resembling hand-held fans in appearance, the 400-foot wind turbine towers generate electricity that is 100 percent environmental friendly, Brown said. Unlike the burning of fossil fuels, which emit dangerous amounts of carbon dioxide into the environment — the leading cause of global warming — wind power yields no emissions or by-products, significantly reducing the effects of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.
The towns’ concerns will be addressed throughout the permit process, Brown said. In addition to the impact the farms will have on the community, studies focus on minimizing visibility, noise and issues of flickering when the sun is rising and setting. A 190-foot meteorological tower was erected in northeast Gaines last January to monitor wind strength, and a second may be built in Albion.
The project comes at a time when New York state officials are pushing for alternative energy sources due to high costs of power. Airtricity has already built a 34.5 megawatt wind farm in central Munnsville and is looking to expand. The feasibility of building wind farms in Gaines and Albion will be compared to sites elsewhere in the state, Brown said.
Within Orleans County, the turbines could bring a temporary tax break and increased tourism and jobs. The Gaines wind energy advisory committee established two months ago isn’t convinced, however, said board member Marilyn Miller.
“Noise not only includes the actual turbines squeaking, but there’s also reportedly a low-level vibration that hones around the area,” Miller said.
The blades on the turbines extend an additional 100 feet beyond the tower itself, which could become a problem for migrating birds and Mercy Flight helicopters. Some reports say the “flicker effect” cannot be disguised by drapes, and in most cases, not a single watt of electricity goes to local residents, she said.
Additionally, the blades can reach speeds of 130 to 140 mph. Miller said if there is too much wind, or not enough wind, the turbines will power down and need to be restarted using electricity.
It has yet to be determined if the farms will decrease utility costs, Brown said. Each turbine will be distanced from each other so that they are capturing the most wind possible. They will then need to interconnect with a grid system, possibly the Bates Road substation in Shelby, so that the power generated can be mixed with other energy sources.
Construction of the turbines would take six to 12 months to complete, but that won’t be for another three years, if at all. Brown said the project is “still not a done deal” and that any number of factors could prevent Airtricity from proceeding.
“Who knows what could happen,” Brown said, whose company first began turbine conversations with the county two years ago. “There might be an area that is very windy but not constructable.”
The final decision about whether or not the turbines are built could eventually be in the hands of state officials if a new piece of legislation known as Article X eventually passes, Miller said. Municipalities across New York have been actively opposing the loss of local control.
“They have an energy board which will be deciding for each town whether or not they have energy facilities in them. It isn’t specific to wind energy,” Wind said. “It takes away town control.”
For more information on wind energy, visit www.awea.org, www.airtricity.com or www.stopillwind.org.
Contact reporter Nicole Coleman at 798-1400, ext. 2227.
Local News
October 2, 2007
ORLEANS COUNTY: Wind turbines considered for Gaines, Albion
- Local News
-
-
Market on Main will offer fresh produce, baked goods
Medina’s Main Street has more than its fair share of spots to pick up prepared food, but starting this summer there will be a place to buy artisanal bread and locally-grown produce.Dave and Bonnie Reigle have operated a produce stand on their Ridge Road farm for 17 years. They plan to open Reigle’s Market on Main in the former Whole Nine Yards and be open year-round as a bakery and produce store.
-
Lyndonville BoE approves budget propositions
The Lyndonville Board of Education approved the four propositions district residents will vote on May 15, including the school’s $12,964,687 budget.The 2012-13 budget decreases spending by 1.28 percent, but the property tax levy will rise by 1.95 percent to $4,620,374. The estimated property tax rate is $18.40, an increase of 1.38 percent and a bump of a quarter for every $1,000 of assessed property value.
-
Medina BoE OK's budgets for May 15 vote
Medina Central School District residents will have the option this May to vote for a budget that does not raise the property tax levy next year, but does increase the district’s budget by 1.74 percent.
-
Ridgeway sets public hearings
The Ridgeway Town Board will hold two public hearings at its next meeting on May 21.
-
Hoag will host STEM summer camp
The Hoag Library in Albion isn’t set to open until the weekend after Independence Day, but preparations are well underway for a two-week summer camp for a select group of Albion students.
-
Growing like a weed
The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Home and Garden Show had a new home this year, and a record crowd came out to Knowlesville for helpful advice, information about local businesses and organizations, and a wide range of activities, promotions and giveaways.
-
Village budget talks continue
Medina’s 2012-13 budget is coming together at a series of meetings between department heads and village board members that largely focus on projected spending plans and areas where cuts can be made and additional revenue can be found.The board met Monday with Police Chief Jose Avila, who said his department budget will be less than the current year despite increasing salaries and associated benefits.
-
Hoag Library era nears in Albion
The transition of Albion's long-time library to a modern South Main Street facility is quickly approaching, which had the Swan Library Board of Trustees discussing the closing of the current library in early June, a month of movement and plans to resume service at the new Hoag Library on the day after the facility's July 7 grand opening at their Wednesday meeting.
-
Pillars hosting Titanic evening
The extravagant experience that the high-class passengers enjoyed on the first and final voyage of the RMS Titanic will be replicated in a dinner at The Pillars Estate’s new ballroom this weekend.The Pillars echoes the luxury liner’s grand staircase and chandelier, with historic touches throughout the restored County House Road mansion’s ballroom.
-
Shelby formalizes reserve funds
The Town of Shelby has had a highway equipment reserve fund for as long as Supervisor Skip Draper can remember, but to be safe the town board formally created the fund and other others Tuesday.Draper said the origins of the town’s long-standing funds, used to prepare for large expenses and avoid a yo-yo-ing budget, were questioned in an audit of the town’s finances.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Market on Main will offer fresh produce, baked goods
Serial Stabbings Suspect Guilty of Murder
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
A Few Odd Business Sparks but Europe Gloomy
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
Gerard Butler: the Good, the Bad and the Cannes
At Least 25 Dead in India Train Collision
Raw Video: Private Rocket Blasts Off
Boy to Rescuers: 'Do You Have a Plan?'
Doctors and Devotees Debate Barefoot Running
Blacks Seek to Find Their Own Missing
Houston Museum Unveils $85 Million Dinosaur Hall
Chicago Police: 90 Arrested in NATO Protests
Ex-Rutgers Student Gets 30 Days in Webcam Case
Obama Sees Inspiration in Joplin Graduates
Raw Video: Man Saved After Niagara Falls Plunge
NATO: Afghan Exit 'Irreversible'
Catholic Groups Sue Over Contraception Mandate
4 Arrested After Man's Beating at Dodger Stadium
