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Alfred Community Wind Energy Meetings
After short self-introductions we reviewed a tentative agenda prepared by Virginia Rasmussen. Virginia gave two minutes of background for the participatory approach being taken at this meeting. Many expressed a wish that we have a more engaged and deliberate process, that we figure out what we want from this possible project in our midst, and work together to find out whether and how that can occur. The agenda was revised as we went along to take in the thinking/direction of the group.
Purposes for Wind Project:
We brainstormed and clarified the purposes we hoped such a wind project in the community would meet. These were to:
- benefit all constituencies of community: town, village and campuses
- aid the local burden of taxes
- support alternative energy production
- contribute toward a sustainable future (decrease global warming gases; lead to ecologically-sound energy production)
- serve/protect human and environmental health
- create local jobs
- promote local economic viability/development
- provide a model for other communities/enhance Alfred's self-esteem/"green" appeal
- bring more students to our campuses
Views/Comments expressed:
- Mike Muhleisen from Hartsville lent a helpful voice. He saw it as a real advantage that the Alfred community is open and inviting of public participation/learning this early in the process. This will allow us to gain an understanding of the nature/outcomes of an industrial wind project in Alfred and help establish community control over the project.
- We discussed that any information on the web or written up and made public is by a person, group or institution with a point of view. It is, therefore, important to take in plenty of sources, share and compare them, and come to one's own thinking/conclusions.
- There was general support for renewable energy initiatives in the society. Questions arise around their sensitive placement, appropriate scale and consequent impacts.
- The objective of this work together is not to come to consensus but to assist one another reach an informed position.
- Question arose as to who pays if it is decided that the community wants certain studies done. In many communities studies were done by consultants chosen by the community and paid for by the wind energy corporation seeking entry. This approach should be confirmed with Empire State Wind Energy Corp.
- There is wind data and information available for the Alfred area. For data coming from the meteorological test tower on the ASC campus go to alfredstate.edu and click on "going green" on the front page.
- The question of timeframe arose. The ESWE Corp. is gathering a full year or more of wind data and other information (minimally two and a half seasons' data remain to be collected). We're looking at another year or maybe year and a half, according to ESWE, before anything very definitive would be known or proposed. René Richardson and Pan Jones of the Town Planning Board told the group that there was no plan to complete a first draft of a town law by December '09 (as some had thought) defining the legal and land-use regulations applying to wind energy production in this jurisdiction. That's several months away. Then there will be Town Board and public meetings/feedback and need for some reworks of that law.
- There was interest in learning the role Alfred State College is playing in this possible initiative. The Town Board was asked to inquire of President Anderson. Also, Virginia Rasmussen was asked to be in touch with him for an update AND to invite him and others from the college to these community work sessions which are open to all.
Areas of Exploration and Learning:
The group combined the purposes listed above into four main areas for exploration. Many present signed up to focus on one or two of these areas. The objective is to pursue both the information that supports or does not support a particular line of inquiry . People will have both subjective feelings and objective opinions about the project. Both are valid and should be acknowledged.
Working Group 1 -- Economic Considerations: to include such matters as income/tax advantages to residents of Alfred jurisdictions; job creation capacity; property value impacts; number of students attracted; nature/extent of financial gain to corporations from government/taxpayer largesse, from provision of alt. energy, etc.
Participants so far: Bob Donius, Mary Stearns, Becky Prophet
Working Group 2 -- Environmental and Human Health Considerations: to include positive and negative impacts (and alleviating responses) on land, animals, people from the technology and its placement.
Participants so far: Susan Fowler, Bill Cleveland, Vicky Westacott, Virginia Rasmussen
Working Group 3 -- Quality of Life/Community Enhancement: to include issues of visibility/disturbance to viewshed; "green" appeal; provide model (positive and negative) for other communities; "prestige" factor.
Participants so far: Liz Cronin, Becky Prophet, Kim Donius
Working Group 4 -- Fossil Fuel Savings/Energy Efficiency Gains/Carbon Footprint Reduction: to include the backstory on all of this.
Participants so far: Lisa Jo Looney, Tim Cochran
The next meeting will take place at the Alfred Village Hall on December 15 at 7pm.
If you would like more information, you can contact Kim Donius, Vicky Westacott, or Peter McClain at alfred.wind.meetings@gmail.com |
