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Alfred Community Wind Energy Meetings
On May 13, a town board meeting was held at the Alfred Station Fire Hall. There were more than 50 people in attendance to discuss the presence of wind turbine generators in Alfred and the proposed wind law draft. The draft is available from the Town of Alfred.
A few ideas, opinions and concerns addressed by community members from the meeting:
- A petition was presented asking for a 1.5-2.0 mile setback to protect community families and neighbors.
- Two community members mentioned possible health issues. One cited the World Health Organization in request for a greater setback than 2640 feet.
- Additional comments included, “with many more years experience with wind turbines, Europe has the minimum standard setback of two kilometers" and “whatever is being considered for Alfred should be suitably sized and sensibly placed.”
- Keith Pitman, president of Empire State Wind Energy, was asked if he understood that placing turbines on State land would place the village of Alfred in the closer proximity to windmills than any other community in New York State.
- One photographer commented on the noise of the turbines. He has spent considerable time photographing wind turbines and expressed a concern for the noise and above all the screeching he experienced.
- A 2006 Democrat and Chronicle editorial by Tom Golisano rejecting wind turbines for his own home startled listeners. Mr. Golisano is an investor in Empire State Wind Energy.
- Board member, Donn Lang, when questioned why the town is working to set a wind law in place, reported that it is necessary to have a wind law in place as the town is at risk without any law. In addition, he stated that placing wind turbines on state land would not yield revenue for the town.
- Keith Pitman (ESWE) rose and questioned three items within the wind laws. These included the cost for a turbine permit (as proposed cost “exceeds industry standards”); the fact that the town would not include a tax break to be given to the wind corporation, but rather asks the corporation to pay full tax on “real property” (each turbine cost was quoted as more than $2M each); Mr. Pitman queried the gathered group to see if anyone had spent time determining how the current setback in the draft would affect the number of turbines possible in this project.
- Mr. Pitman, an engineer, was unable to give revenue estimates, wind power, or define his project at this time. As at his previously attended meetings, Mr. Pitman has been unable to give specific, factual information on the project details.
- When asked several times who his investment partners were, Mr. Pitman was unable or unwilling to disclose investor names.
- One person did voice the opinion that they were in favor of wind turbines after Keith Pitman asked if anyone present would like windmills in Alfred.
Tom Mansfield stated that on June 10 there will be a Town Board Meeting to hold a public hearing on the Town draft wind law. Residents are urged to attend.
UPDATE: The public hearing for June 10 has been cancelled. Additional details will be posted when made available.
If you would like more information, you can contact Kim Donius, Vicky Westacott, or Peter McClain at alfred.wind.meetings@gmail.com |
