February 9, 2011: The first in a series of setbacks, the cancellation of the Planning Board meeting. BP was poised to submit their SDEIS at this meeting. Anxious to continue, they submitted their SDEIS behind closed doors. By chance, the document was discovered on display at the Lime Library, even though it had not been formally accepted.
March 16 ,2012: Michael G. Sterthous, from Whiteman Osterman and Hanna, (WOH) sent a letter to BP reassuring them that the Cape Vincent’s Planning Board review of their project was “ongoing” and that comments on the status of the completeness of the SDEIS will be delivered to BP Wind Energy‘s technical consultants over the coming months and ultimately lead to iteration of the document.
March 22, 2011: Jim Madden, BP’s project developer, left Bp for an “opportunity” with a smaller company. Madden had been with the Cape Vincent wind project from its inception under Greenlight Energy. At the same time, Todd Mathis departed from Whiteman Osterman & Hanna leaving questions concerning lack of documentation for expenditures from the Developers escrow accounts.
March 23, 2011: The PB meeting was cancelled. Planning Board members were to consider the supplemental draft environmental impact statement for British Petroleum's Cape Vincent industrial wind complex at this meeting.
June 8, 2011: At the Planning Board meeting Dick Macsherry introduced BP’s new project manager, Peter Gross, to the community. This was the first meeting that Voters for Wind (VFW) attended without wearing their green shirts. It was at this meeting that Mr. Gross mentioned that BP might be using larger 3-megawatt turbines, thus requiring a smaller number of turbines in the array plan. Additionally, Richard Edsall recused himself before Mr. Gross was introduced, leaving the building never to return as planning Board Chair.
June 30, 2011: Edsall abruptly resigned without explanation taking with him any records of the Planning Board’s activity in regard to BP’s project. Shortly thereafter planning board members McCarthy and Reinbeck followed suit submitting their resignations. Leaving the Planning Board without a quorum.
August 2, 2011: BP’s Project manager Peter Gross wrote a letter to Planning Board Richard Macsherry informing him that a letter sent to BP in March invited them to review the SDEIS with the Planning Board. BP wind is eager to receive comments and welcomes the opportunity to advance the SEQRA process in a timely and efficient manner, so that BP Wind can receive a completeness determination from the Planning Board as soon as reasonably possible.
August 8, 2011: Richard Macsherry sent a reply to BP’s new project manager informing him “I have no knowledge of any dialogue that Mr. Edsall could have possibly had with Whiteman Osterman and Hanna, which would have led them to indicate that any review was active and that comments regarding the SDEIS would be forthcoming under any period.” Mr. Macsherry further explained that the needed to fill the vacancies on the board would cause further delays. BP’s DEIS & EIS
November 8, 2011: (Election Day) Cape Vincent’s November election proved to be a referendum on wind development.
November 8,2011: Anxious to get BP’s project moving before a possible moratorium, Michael Sterthous, of Whiteman Osterman & Hanna sent an email to Planning Board chair Dick Macsherry informing him that he and Kris Dimmick Bernier & Carr had been in contact about the status of BP’s SDGEIS and based on that call it appears that the consultants should be in a position to meet a January schedule for providing the planning Board with comments as to completeness.
January 11, 2012: the Planning Board passed a resolution to make a recommendation to the Cape Vincent Town board that the Town of Cape Vincent sever all ties with the law firm Whiteman Osterman and Hanna.
January 17, 2012: work began reviewing and updating Cape Vincent’s Zoning Law and Comprehensive plan.
January 19, 2012: At the Town Board meeting, the Town Board took the recommendations of the Planning Board and voted to terminate the relationship with Whiteman Osterman & Hanna. This action further delayed BP's project.
January 26, 2012: Supervisor Urban Hirschey sent a letter to WHO informing them that they have taken the Planning Board’s recommendation.
February 7, 2012: the head of the Jefferson County industrial development agency, Donald C. Alexander told town supervisors that his agency will not force payment – in- lieu – of – taxes agreements on any municipality.
February 7, 2012: was set for a public hearing and special meeting with respect to a seven-month moratorium on wind generation facilities
A vote was taken on the resolution.
Supervisor Hirschey yes,
Brooks Bragdon yes,
Clif Schneider yes,
John Byrne yes
Miki Orvis no
Resolution number 10 passed.
March 29, 2012: In a 51 to 47 vote the senate shot down an extension for soon-to-expire tax incentives for renewable power projects.
April 04, 2012: at the zoning law review committee meeting Planning Board Chair Richard Macsherry said something to the effect that once the new zoning law is complete that Peter Gross will be given a copy and then the decision that they make will be a business decision based upon what is allowed within the constraints of the new zoning law period.
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