High Bridge Wind Project to submit application to state
GUILFORD – High Bridge Wind, the LLC behind a proposed windmill project in the Town of Guilford, plans to submit an application to the New York Department of Public Service within the next week, bringing the company's proposal one step further to fruition.
High Bridge Wind, a subsidiary of Calpine Corp., aims to submit its application on or around July 23. The result could be production of up to 25 100-megawatt, 650 to 676-foot-tall power generating wind turbines located on the hills of Guilford. If carried out, Chenango County would be home to some of the tallest land wind turbines in the country.
Before moving to the next phase of the project, Calpine needs permission from the Siting Board of the New York State Department of Public Service.
Under NY's Article 10, Calpine would additionally need permission of DPS's Siting Committee consisting of state and community representatives, including individuals nominated by the Town of Guilford and by Chenango County government. Though Guilford submitted names to sit on that committee earlier this year, county officials are doubtful anyone at the county level thus far has followed suit. Members of the Chenango County Planning Committee vowed last Thursday to find when – or if – anyone has submitted names to represent the county.
Guilford Town Supervisor George Seneck updated the Planning Committee on current happenings last week. County government may play a relatively minor role in the project, but it could be impacted by likely PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreements, to be decided by the local IDA, that would essentially give a tax break to Calpine. County officials would also be charged with adopting a road use agreement for construction and maintenance of the wind facility.
“I think if there's questions, members of the committee should be as involved as I have been in this. There's a lot of reading and research,” Seneck told committee members after being drilled by questions on topics such as tax incentives, environmental impacts, and the estimated efficiency of the project.
Seneck said his town has controlled the project as best it can by adopting local laws that would hold Calpine responsible for producing at least 50 percent efficiency and subjecting the company to a decommissioning plan that must be reviewed annually and adjusted for inflation.
If the company does not like those proposals, they could walk away from the project, he added.
“I have never seen 50 percent percent efficiency,” said Planning Committee member Peter Flanagan (R-Preston). “This has a capacity – if the conditions are perfect and the wind blows all day long for the next five years – to produce 100 megawatts a day. It isn't going to happen.”
Seneck said he's seen the issue on efficiency debated, with rough estimates of the average wind turbine falling between 30 and 40 percent efficiency.
“That's not what they are supposed to be doing. And we have had questions about that because in our proposed renewable energy law, if they drop below 50 percent efficiency for a period of time, our local law would require there to be a condition to take it down,” said Seneck. “Each turbine has an efficiency rating as well as a production rating, and they're supposed to be able to meet those things.”
According to Calpine, the project will generate a zero-emission wind energy facility that meets goals of producing 50 percent of the state's energy needs by 2030. Moreover, it would generate revenue from land lease agreements as well as tax revenue for the town and affected school districts.
However, the project has created tensions in Guilford where residents are divided on the issue. Contrary to the town's 2014 comprehensive plan which shows more than 62 percent of the town's surveyed populace favoring a large wind facility, opponents of High Bridge Wind, led by a grassroots coalition dubbed “SaveGuilford,” say they represent the town's majority. Many have voiced concerns over rights, safety, and well-being of Guilford residents at town hall meetings and called on local leaders to stop the project from moving forward.
The complete notice of submission of application for the High Bridge wind project can be found on p. 15 of today's edition of The Evening Sun. A special meeting of the Guilford Town Board will be held at 7 p.m. tonight at the Guilford Highway Garage.
High Bridge Wind, a subsidiary of Calpine Corp., aims to submit its application on or around July 23. The result could be production of up to 25 100-megawatt, 650 to 676-foot-tall power generating wind turbines located on the hills of Guilford. If carried out, Chenango County would be home to some of the tallest land wind turbines in the country.
Before moving to the next phase of the project, Calpine needs permission from the Siting Board of the New York State Department of Public Service.
Under NY's Article 10, Calpine would additionally need permission of DPS's Siting Committee consisting of state and community representatives, including individuals nominated by the Town of Guilford and by Chenango County government. Though Guilford submitted names to sit on that committee earlier this year, county officials are doubtful anyone at the county level thus far has followed suit. Members of the Chenango County Planning Committee vowed last Thursday to find when – or if – anyone has submitted names to represent the county.
Guilford Town Supervisor George Seneck updated the Planning Committee on current happenings last week. County government may play a relatively minor role in the project, but it could be impacted by likely PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreements, to be decided by the local IDA, that would essentially give a tax break to Calpine. County officials would also be charged with adopting a road use agreement for construction and maintenance of the wind facility.
“I think if there's questions, members of the committee should be as involved as I have been in this. There's a lot of reading and research,” Seneck told committee members after being drilled by questions on topics such as tax incentives, environmental impacts, and the estimated efficiency of the project.
Seneck said his town has controlled the project as best it can by adopting local laws that would hold Calpine responsible for producing at least 50 percent efficiency and subjecting the company to a decommissioning plan that must be reviewed annually and adjusted for inflation.
If the company does not like those proposals, they could walk away from the project, he added.
“I have never seen 50 percent percent efficiency,” said Planning Committee member Peter Flanagan (R-Preston). “This has a capacity – if the conditions are perfect and the wind blows all day long for the next five years – to produce 100 megawatts a day. It isn't going to happen.”
Seneck said he's seen the issue on efficiency debated, with rough estimates of the average wind turbine falling between 30 and 40 percent efficiency.
“That's not what they are supposed to be doing. And we have had questions about that because in our proposed renewable energy law, if they drop below 50 percent efficiency for a period of time, our local law would require there to be a condition to take it down,” said Seneck. “Each turbine has an efficiency rating as well as a production rating, and they're supposed to be able to meet those things.”
According to Calpine, the project will generate a zero-emission wind energy facility that meets goals of producing 50 percent of the state's energy needs by 2030. Moreover, it would generate revenue from land lease agreements as well as tax revenue for the town and affected school districts.
However, the project has created tensions in Guilford where residents are divided on the issue. Contrary to the town's 2014 comprehensive plan which shows more than 62 percent of the town's surveyed populace favoring a large wind facility, opponents of High Bridge Wind, led by a grassroots coalition dubbed “SaveGuilford,” say they represent the town's majority. Many have voiced concerns over rights, safety, and well-being of Guilford residents at town hall meetings and called on local leaders to stop the project from moving forward.
The complete notice of submission of application for the High Bridge wind project can be found on p. 15 of today's edition of The Evening Sun. A special meeting of the Guilford Town Board will be held at 7 p.m. tonight at the Guilford Highway Garage.
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