Tuesday, July 31, 2012

BP Posts Unexpectedly Large Loss

By STANLEY REED
Published: July 31, 2012

LONDON — BP, Europe’s second-largest oil company, reported a $1.4 billion loss Tuesday for the three-month period ended June 30. The main reason for the loss was $4.8 billion in write-downs on refineries, shale gas assets in the United States and a long-delayed project in Alaska

The earnings will do nothing to assuage the concerns of investors, who are already discontented with the performance of the company and its chief executive, Bob Dudley. BP’s share price was down 3.69 percent in morning trading in London.
More from the New York Times

Monday, July 30, 2012

Wind farms can cause property blight to nearby homes

This from the Sunday times EPAW
22 July 2012
Jonathan Leake, Environment Editor

Wind farms can cause property blight to nearby homes, according to what could become landmark rulings by a government agency.
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA), which decides council tax valuations, has accepted that having wind turbines built near homes can sharply decrease their value and has, as a result, moved some into a lower tax band.
The decisions are a serious threat for the wind farm industry. Until now, such negative views have been rejected by the industry and planners as simply subjective opinion.

In one of the latest cases, a couple living near the 22-turbine Fullabrook wind farm near Braunton, Devon saw the price of their home fall from about £400,000 to £300,000. Three of the turbines are within 650 yards of their home.



 .

Link here to continue reading ~ The European Platform Against Wind Farms

Will BP gain approval for their High Voltage Transmission Line?

One of the most important aspects of any wind development project is the transmission lines. 

British Petroleum  intends to run a high voltage transmission line from their industrial wind project in Cape Vincent to the substation in Lyme.
  It is documented in Acciona's  SEQRA that the Development Authority of the North Country has control over the old railroad bed, the route of the regional water line and BP's planned route for their transmission line . 

 April 9, 2009 ,James Wright, Executive Director of DANC, submitted a letter as part of the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement . He wrote, “As you know, the Development Authority's Western Jefferson Regional Water Line is installed in the former railroad corridor, and the Authority has easements from all of the affected property owners along that route. The easements: Allow the Authority to build and maintain one or more water lines, no other uses by the Authority are permitted, Allow the grantor of the easement to use the easement lands, but specifically prohibits them from building any permanent structure on, over, or under the Authority's permanent easement and... read letter below




Cape Railroad ROW Agreement DANC





Clean Energy Stocks Decline to Nine-Year Low on Policy Uncertainty

Renewable Energy World
By Ehren Goossens, Bloomberg
July 30, 2012

NEW YORK CITY -- The WilderHill New Energy Global Innovation Index, a global index of clean-energy stocks, declined to a nine-year low as the industry faces oversupply, falling prices and uncertain government support.

The NEX index, as it’s known, fell 81 cents to $102.40 in New York last week, its fourth consecutive drop and its lowest price since April 2003. The index has lost 19 percent of its value this year.
More here...

WIND ENERGY TAX CREDITS SHOT DOWN

 

By Miriam Raftery
East County Magazine

July 14, 2012 (Washington D.C.) –Efforts by the wind industry to amend the Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act (S. 2237) have failed. The industry had sought to insert language to extend until 2014 the wind production tax credits set to expire at year’s end .Those credits allow wind developers to write off 2.2 cents of every kilowatt-hour produced. The proposed amendment would also have extended an investment tax credit covering 30 percent of costs for a wind development.

Democratic leaders refused o allow a vote on the amendment offered by Senators Michael Bennett (D-Colorado) and Jerry Moran (R-Kansas).

Several prior efforts to extend the renewable energy tax credits have also failed. Republicans have typically opposed credits for renewables, while Democrats have sought to pay for renewable tax credits by ending some existing credits for the oil industry.

The Senate voted to end debate, invoking cloture and thus enabling the Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act to be brought up for a vote by the full Senate—without the extension of tax credits for wind projects.

Wind industry insiders have voiced high hopes that tax credits will ultimately be extended after the November elections by a lame duck Congress.
Opponents of industrial wind contend that extension should be rejected amid growing concerns over the negative impacts of wind turbines on health and the environment, questions over the viability of some massive wind projects, and inadequate oversight of wind energy projects on federal lands.

Link to original from East County Magazine

Sunday, July 29, 2012

BP's Madden warned that economic losses will result in developing a protective wind law.

Below is a copy of a letter from BP's business manager Jim Madden.
In his letter Madden is warning of the economic losses that will result in developing a protective wind law.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May 5, 2010
Town of Cape Vincent Planning Board
1964 NYS Rt. 12 E
Cape Vincent , NY 13618


The Town of Cape Vincent has been working on developing a wind ordinance for almost two years now. Through this time, BP Wind has supported the development of a wind ordinance so that expectations for siting, construction and operations of wind farms can be clearly established and uniformly enforced.

However, despite recent efforts, it appears that a wind ordinance will not be implemented this year, largely due to lack of agreement on noise limits. As everyone involved in these discussions knows, measuring noise and establishing noise limits are complex issues. Ambient noise varies by season and even minute to minute due to wind, insects and other natural and man-made noise sources. Wind turbine noise also varies with wind speed as the blades increase and decrease in velocity. Furthermore, it is easy to get sidetracked on technical issues like method of measuring and which noise standards to use.

As you know, Cape Vincent is not the first town to implement a wind ordinance. Hundreds of communities in the U.S. have similar concerns and resolved them in a manner that protects residents and allows for responsible development of wind energy.

Here in New York, we are aware of 22 towns that have implemented wind ordinances that include noise limits below 50 dBA. Yet many of these towns have operating wind farms without any significant noise issues and some are even pursuing expansion of their projects.

While we would all prefer if wind turbines were completely silent, the fact is that wind turbines are not as noisy as critics claim. Anyone who has visited a wind farm and talked to the people living near operating turbines can attest to that, However, establishing unrealistic limits on noise will simply act as a de- facto ban on wind energy in Cape Vincent. While wind energy opponents would cheer that idea, it would prevent the town and the region from receiving tens of millions of dollars in economic benefits the wind farm would provide.

Some would ask that you not consider economic benefits when considering a wind ordinance. Therefore, we have developed the enclosed estimates of the economic benefits of the BP Wind project, based on various noise limits. We used NYSERDA data on construction and operations jobs and revenues, as well as the recent Galloo Island PILOT agreement for tax revenues.

This analysis shows an expected total 20- year economic benefit to the region of over 86$ million from our project , assuming noise limits are set at 50dBA at non- participating property lines. As limits are tightened, there will reduction in number of turbines and reduction in economic benefits. At 48 dBA, the economic benefits are reduced by $13 million, to about $73 million, while at 47dBA, there would be $68million in estimated economic benefits.

Finally, the analysis shows that a noise limit of 42dBA at property lines would result in a 36MW project and only $27million in economic benefits over 20 years, if it was built. In reality, the economics will not support a 36 MW project, so the project could not be built.

While the discussion of noise limits and setbacks is important, the Town of Cape Vincent should keep in mind the economic impacts of these decisions and that there are practical limits to what can be done with current wind energy technology.

Sincerely,

Jim Madden

Business developer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Foiled Copy of Maddens letter below


Below are charts and data that Madden put together to show that
a too restrictive wind law IS A BAD THING

Madden says that it will cut into the community and leaseholder profits. I think that BP is more concerned about their profits than those of the community or lease holders .




Corporate Greenwashing, White Noise vs. Turbine Noise in NY. Wind Wise Radio ~ Sun. 7/29 7pm ET

We will be talking about corporations who are supporting wind energy as a part of their business plan to increase their profits. Miriam Raftery, an award winning environmental journalist, will join Harley and Lisa to talk about this and more. We hope that listeners will dial in to join in the discussion.


Jimmy Salamone from Fairfield, NY has been living with turbines that have been found out of compliance with noise regulations. Iberdrola sent him a white noise machine and has installed special Noise Reducing Software on the turbines to mitigate the problem. Jimmy will be joining us later in the program to talk about the situation.


Dial in Number


213-943-3683

Join in the show!
Call in your questions and comments for our guest(s).

Link to Wind Wise Radio here or on the right side of this blog

Saturday, July 28, 2012

WikiLeaks cables: BP accused by Azerbaijan of stealing oil worth $10bn


Embassy cables reveal president alleging 'mild blackmail' being used by firm to secure rights to develop Azeri gas reserve


The president of Azerbaijan accused BP of stealing billions of dollars of oil from his country and using "mild blackmail" to secure the rights to develop vast gas reserves in the Caspian Sea region, according to leaked US cables.

Ilham Aliyev said the oil firm tried to exploit his country's "temporary troubles" during a gas shortage in December 2006. In return for making more gas supplies available for domestic consumption that winter, BP wanted an extension of its lucrative profit-sharing contract with the government and the go-ahead to develop Caspian gas reserves, one cable from the US embassy in Baku reports. Aliyev also threatened to make BP's alleged "cheating" public, cables show.

The leaks reveal the extent of the company's power over Azerbaijan's government.


Continue reading at this link

ATTENTION Residents of Cape Vincent & Beyond It's back!

In early July the light on the radio tower located on the corner of Fox Creek Road and RTE. 12 E. , changed from its normal red flashing light to an obnoxious, bright, white, strobing light

The Owners of the tower Mars Hill Network, were contacted and eventually corrected the problem .However, after an Osprey’s nest caught fire on top of a power pole on fox creek road Thursday morning, the bright white light has started flashing again

Lyme prepares to pass new restrictions on wind turbines; public hearing, council vote set for Aug. 11


CHAUMONT — The town of Lyme soon will make public its draft 
wind zoning law introducing tougher restrictions on turbines.
A public hearing and a special Town Council meeting to vote on the proposed law have been scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 11 at the Three Mile Bay Fire Hall, 8581 Route 12E. The special meeting will be held immediately after the hearing is closed.
Lyme Supervisor Scott G. Aubertine said the draft document will be posted on the town’s website and a copy will be made available at the municipal offices, Route 12E, early next week. More here...

Friday, July 27, 2012

Cape Vincent bloggers sued for defamation by wind farm backers

JLL and Pandoras Box of Rocks sued for defamation.

Cape Vincent bloggers sued for defamation by wind farm backers

Credit Brian Kelly, Watertown Daily Times.

Several longtime residents of Cape Vincent who favor wind farm development have filed a defamation lawsuit against two local bloggers they claim have damaged their reputations by publishing false information about them.

Two of the plaintiffs, Marty T. Mason and Donald J. Mason, contend information published about them cost them seats on the Town Council in last fall’s election.



Link to original

Thursday, July 26, 2012

American Bird Conservancy sues FWS Over Alleged Failure to Respond to FOIA Requests Involving Wind Turbine Projects

ABC’s “Bird-Smart Wind Program” addresses the threats to birds and their
habitats from wind energy development. ABC’s Wind Program works to eliminate threats to
birds and conserve habitat through the implementation of principles that recognize that “birdsmart” wind energy is an important part of the solution to climate change. To reduce and redress
bird mortality and habitat loss, bird-smart wind energy employs careful site-selection,
operational and compensatory mitigation, and ongoing bird monitoring. A key element of
ABC’s Bird-Smart Wind Principles is to work with FWS to establish appropriate mandatory
federal standards for the siting, construction, and operation of wind facilities. ABC’s FOIA
requests at issue here seek records concerning the government’s role in monitoring, minimizing,
and mitigating bird deaths from the operation of wind power facilities.

Read full complaint here

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

BP Throws their Weight around



EXCLUSIVE: BP Oil Received $1 Billion in Property Tax Reduction from Assessor Noguez’ Office

Copyright: Los Cerritos Community Newspaper

Use by attribution only.
By Randy Economy and Brian Hews

One of the world largest oil producers, BP (formerly British Petroleum), received more than $1 billion worth of property tax reductions during the tenure of embattled Los Angeles County Assessor John R. Noguez, Los Cerritos Community Newspaper has learned.

British Petroleum who owns and oversees a massive operation throughout Los Angeles County had a major parcel slashed during a two year period between 2009 and 2011 that was represented by Attorney and Tax Agent Richard Ayoob.

Copyright: Los Cerritos Community Newspaper
HEWS Media Group
Use by attribution only.
By Randy Economy and Brian Hews

Link to original

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Energy official to stump for energy tax credit

Acciona plant in West Branch one of the stops
WEST BRANCH — The uncertainty surrounding extension of a key federal tax credit for purchasers of wind turbines is prompting a visit to plants in West Branch and Des Moines  by a U.S. Department of Energy official. David Sandalow, acting U.S. undersecretary,  on Wednesday will tour the Acciona Windpower plant in West Branch, where 1.5 megawatt and 3 megawatt wind turbines are assembled. More from the Gazette
~~~~~~

 Nationwide ,renewal of the Production Tax credit is being equated with fighting for American jobs.
The jobs that the wind industry is fighting for are costing more than they are worth.

We are subsidizing the economic downfall of our nation.

Here is an example of Acciona's means to sustainability and the American jobs that the wind industry creates.
In 2007, the Des Moines Register reported that Acciona planned to invest $95 million to build and operate a wind turbine assembly plant in West Branch Iowa.

Acciona Energy North America, a subsidiary of Spain based Acciona Energia, received $2.85 million in loans and forgivable loans from the Iowa Economic Development Board. It also will seek $2.3 million in tax breaks from the state for high-quality job creation.
Acciona plans to create 110 jobs that will pay an average of $15.14 an hour.
~~~~~
Acciona got up to $5,150,000 in corporate welfare from the State of Iowa taxpayers in order to create up to 110 jobs that pay an average of $15.14 an hour. That means that Iowa taxpayers are spending almost $47,000 for each of the 110 jobs that pay an average of $31,500 a year.
Acciona pays approximately $3,465,000 in annual wages.

Using a flat rate of 10% for a state and local tax burden would amount to $346,500 in state and local income taxes, or $3,150 per year, per employee.
At this rate, it will take 15 years for the state to recoup its subsidy of $47,000 per employee.
This is a conservative number and does not account for circumstances such as reduced taxes through exemptions assuming the company stays long enough for the state to re - coup their investment etc…

Adding insult to injury In 2009 , when Iowa schools across the state were forced to cut 1.5 percent from their budgets, a cut that would cost West Branch nearly $50,000.
Acciona asked the West Branch city council for a five-year, partial property tax exemption — worth about $115,000 — for a $10.7 million, 30,000-square-foot addition to its West Branch assembly plant

When will the giveaways end?

Additionally, government investigators recently discovered the Obama administration overpaid Acciona SA. $2.08 Million in a Federal Grant program.

Sources:
West branch Times online(WBTO)

WBTO ~ Council changes mind on Acciona’s $80K tax breaks

State 29~
Doing the Math on Acciona's Corporate welfare

Fox business


The Daily Outrage

The Gazette

Monday, July 23, 2012

Wind turbines what is the positive side?

Larger commercial wind turbines cost in the range of 1 to 2.5 million USD per megawatt of capacity. Most of the turbines being installed nowadays are of 2MW capacity and cost anywhere between 3-4 million USD.

  BP has recently  released to the media that with the acquisition of the neighboring St. Lawrence wind project in February, the Cape Vincent project now can reach upwards of about 285 MW in size .

Using 2.5 million as a figure representing the per turbine cost for the total number of turbines (193 give or take)  proposed for Cape Vincent. This would add up to around $ 482.5 million dollars to construct these two projects. Sixty five percent of this $482.5 million will be paid by you through your tax dollars in the form of subsidies , NYSERDA , and the  PTC (Production Tax Credits)( if it is renewed)  , rapid depreciation schedules, and PILOTs,
This means that   British Petroleum will only be paying $ 168,870,000 for these projects the taxpayers will pay the balance of $ 313,675,000.( all of these figures are derived from estimated numbers)

If a pilot is negotiated for these the projects, the developers will only be paying a fraction of what they should be paying.
The wind developer gets a reduction in the taxes that they are required to pay. The AVERAGE decrease in property values for homeowners in a community that hosts turbines is 30%.

When the property assessments are accordingly reduced this means a reduction in tax revenue for the community. The result of this will be an increase in tax rates to cover this loss in tax revenue.
These developments will mean a decrease in the quality of life for our community due to

1)High-powered transmission lines that are required to deliver the power produced by the turbines.

2)Noise pollution.

3)Bird deaths & Bat deaths.

4)Visual pollution.

5)Shadow flicker effect.

6)Loss of community.

7)Property devaluation.

8)Higher taxes.

9)Disruption of radio and TV reception .

10)Limited access to land for hunting and recreational purposes.

11)Hydro meteorological conditions caused by rotor turbulence can affect growth of crops within the wind farm.


What is the benefit to the 96% of the residents in Cape Vincent that are not hosting turbines on their land?

Even the lease holders will be experiencing all of these ill effects .

Seasonal Residents spend $28 Million annually in Jefferson County



A study by the Thousand Islands Tourism Council projects that seasonal resident - those who live here for only a few months per year - spend $28 million annually in Jefferson County.

In the face of BP's proposed Cape Vincent wind project this is an important study, $28 million is a good chunk of revenue for Jefferson County.   BP’s project could have a huge financial impact on our economic health, a large portion of Cape Vincent's population is seasonal and it is likely that BP's project will  devalue property.   People just do not want to live in the middle of an industrial wasteland.

 BP claims properties will not be devalued.
Others disagree.
Cape Vincent's Town Assessor, ex-Planning Board Chairman, and other ex-planning board members studied the issue and concluded as part of their economic committee report: “Indications are that there will be an overall decrease in property values with the potential for significant impacts on assessments and related factors such as tax rates and the ability to market property at a fair price.
This is in contradiction to BP’s claim.
Regardless of where you stand on this issue, we should all agree that there is uncertainty; no one knows for sure how BP’s Wind Project has already had an effect on our economy.
Why would people invest in an area under the threat of wind development?

~~~~~~~~~
The following is from a channel 7 report concerning the study compiled by the Thousand Island Tourism Council

Alan and Peggy Jeanotte, who split time between New Hampshire and Alexandria Bay, say they know a lot of seasonal residents.
"There are only five homes here, and four out of five have been seasonal since we've been here," Alan Jeanotte said.
Whether it's on the ingredients that go into a daily smoothie or simple purchases like clothing and groceries, seasonal residents' spending makes a difference for local store owners.

"I would say our business goes up probably 78 to 80 percent in the summertime," said Tami Taitt, who works at the Big M in Alex Bay.
Of the more than 7000 seasonal residents, 80 percent of them have waterfront property.

Most of those seasonal residential properties are valued between $100,000 and $400,000 thousand dollars, which translates into tax revenue.

According to the survey, 65 percent of seasonal residents are between 50 and 69 years old, and, if the ones who spoke to 7 News this weekend are anything to go by, all of them love the North Country.

 link here to read complete Thousand Islands Tourism Council survey
Link here to read
Cape Vincent ~ Wind Turbine Development ~ Economic Impact~ Final Report

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Cape Vincent Public hearing (Zoning) Video's

Saturday’s public hearing Re; the newly revised zoning law, was a strange affair.
After witnessing Mr. Lamora’s conduct at the meeting I was not going to post anything about it. However, a confidential informant told me that this was a staged event and that the conspirators had been boasting prior to the hearing  about what was going to happen.

Dave Lamora began by aggressively interrupting Supervisor Hirschey as he was explaining the procedure of the meeting.
I was present at the meeting and I have viewed the video several times and it escapes me what they were attempting to accomplish other than making fools of themselves. LaMora refused to yield the floor to other citizens, denying them their right to speak.  The board attempted to accommodate Mr. Lamora as much as they could, even offering Mr. LaMora time after the other citizens were allowed to speak. Mr.Lamora would not compromise.
~~~~~~


Cape Vincent Public Hearing ~Intro  Dave Lamora the begining...
8 minutes 36 seconds


~~~~~~~~~~~
CV Public hearing Part II ~ More ~ Lamora
 8 minutes 19 seconds


~~~~
CV public hearing Part III ~ Audience votes Re: letting Lamora continue for 20 more minutes. Lamora refuses to cede floor.
3 minutes 53 seconds


~~~~
Cape Vincent Public hearing Re: zoning Part IV The final chapter ...
13 min 41 seconds

Friday, July 20, 2012

'TIS THE SEASON

  Recently Town Board member Mickey Orvis stepped down. The Town board was in a position to appoint a temporary replacement until after the election. However in view of the fact that all three applicants for the position are running for Mr. Orvi's seat the Town Board decided that the fair thing to do would be to leave the seat vacant until after the election so as to not give any one candidate an unfair advantage over another.
 July, 10, 2012
Chair of Cape Vincent’s Democrat Party Harold Wiley, submitted a formal request to  the Cape Vincent Town Board  recommending that they appoint Paul Aubertine to fill the town board position vacated by Mickey Orvis .

Below is a copy of the Letter Harold read to the Town Board last Thursday and a short video clip of his performance before the Board.


WHERE IS BP?


This past February a Watertown Times reporter asked the former Cape Vincent Wind project developer Gross if BP was considering Article 10 ,Gross said BP would submit an application to the state to consider under Article 10 if the town of Cape Vincent adopts a stricter set of zoning laws on wind development.

After a copy of the draft law was forwarded to BP they responded with a letter stating that they do intent to take their project to the Article 10 Siting Board, because the new Zoning Law prohibits siting turbines in the town and is unreasonably burdensome.

The rules that were recently adopted by the Article 10 Siting Board outline the responsibilities they expect from applicants, including BP, regarding public involvement (Section 1000.4):

Each Applicant shall conduct a Public Involvement Program that includes:
(1) Consultation with the affected agencies and other stakeholders;
Apparently, Chandler and other BP officials have been, everywhere but, Cape Vincent. Notably it has been reported by our BP watchers that they were spied sniffing around the Watertown offices of the NYSDEC.

Additionally, I was told recently that Chandler had a meeting with an official from the JCIDA.
If  PILOT’s were discussed at this meeting Chandler may have had disappointing news. last February 7, 2012: the head of the Jefferson County industrial development agency, Donald C. Alexander told Jefferson County Town Supervisors that his agency will not force payment – in- lieu – of – taxes agreements on any municipality.

How will BP justify the 43% increase in their project size? (Something that we only discovered through a comment letter submitted by BP to the Public Service Commission Re: article 10.)

 Additionally I have heard that there may be a new map with a 125 turbine array plan.
How will BP reconcile this with Cape Vincent’s Vision Plan and land use statement?
  .
 By ignoring us and not including us in their process, they are showing great disdain for our community.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The town of Cape Vincent today is gathering public feedback on both the newly updated zoning law and the Comprehensive Plan at public hearings at the Community House on Market Street.
The town board will hear comments on the Comprehensive Plan from 9 a.m. to noon and on the zoning law from 2 to 5 p.m.
Link here to read todays story in the Watertown Times

BP hoping to bypass tough local limits proposed as Cape Vincent prepares to adopt new restrictions on wind farms

Ethics provide the foundation for which a civilized society can exist...



This comment came in to my blog this morning and I must say it covers in a nutshell the core problem destroying our community from within.
The Democrats presenting Paul Aubertine as the Democrat candidate and the belief by an element in our community that they are above laws, rules and ethics that govern a civilized society.


Dear Pandora, Please consider this a main post. Enough is enough with the bad wind ethics and the deplorable conduct of the Cape Vincent Democratic Party and Chairman Wiley. We are fed up!

Last night was the last straw after I read what Harold Wiley did. Who here can verify that Paul Aubertine has ever attended a town meeting or has ever been involved in any town committee? Paul Aubertine's only qualification is that he is the son of an Ag. Commish with wind leases and of questionable ethics who tried to hire his sister who married Harold Wiley's grandson who will make a little money from wind.

During his campaign, Senator Aubertine lied about his wind leases and failed to disclose the money he has been paid as a result of those leases. How much money went into his campaign chest from the wind lobby and is that money still in his campaign chest which I understand is still open. With Article X coming into play, this is no time for a wet behind the ears novice to be sitting on the town board. We need someone with experience and knowledge of the concepts of town government. Someone who understands the Village Town Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Laws. I doubt Paul Aubertine has ever read them or know they exist. Paul Aubertine would serve only as a snitch who would feed Harold and Darrel with inside information that they could use to help Bp override our laws and crush our community. Paul Aubertine is the sister of Erin Churchill who also has a wind lease conflict of interest and serves on the School Board. Churchill is not the only wind lease conflicted member of a school board that at some point may vote on a PILOT. Dan Wiley, Harold's son along with voters for wind selected school board candidates and supported wind lease candidates with a purpose. Then they started using our school kids as human shields to justify their wind money. It made me sick to my stomach. So blatant. When it comes to ethics the Democratic committee has no shame and Harold has no concept of what even constitutes good ethics.
Harold Wiley completely ignored the democratic caucus and made Paul's appointment while locking out the rest of us Cape Vincent democrats.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Lost Opportunities



UPDATE 6:42 AM 7/20/12
By now you may have heard that the Public Service Commission has filed
A motion, to dismiss without prejudice, the proceeding for the approval of a 50.6-mile transmission line connecting Galloo Island to the Fitzpatrick-Edic Substation in town of Mexico, Oswego County.

One of the issues they cited was what they called a unique burden to land owners. Several landowners expressed their frustration with the proceeding inquiring as to how much longer the case would be allowed to remain open. Those landowners also explained that they had not and would not continue to develop or improve their properties while this proceeding was ongoing; this is exactly what has happened to Cape Vincent. We have become a stagnant community due to the threat of BP/Acciona’s proposed wind development.

Many people that I have talked to have refrained from improving their property due to the threat of industrial wind. Others have put their homes up for sale and some people have not moved to our community because of the threat of industrial wind.

Opportunities are unfolding for New York farmers that cannot be taken advantage of because our community is being held hostage by BP .


Today Celtic farms on Fox Creek road is hosting  a public event  to highlight the availability of funding for farmers through the Biomass Crop Assistance .
Governor Cuomo just signed into law a measure sponsored by Senator Patty Ritchie that include tax breaks and other incentives, to help boost the growing craft brewing industry in the state, boost tourism, reestablish New York farmers as leaders in the hops production—and help create new jobs.
 Additionally, The wine and grape industry is growing in Northern NY, these are two areas that have great potential for farmers. Unfortunately if their farm land is encumbered by a phantom wind development these are lost opportunities for our community.

Below is an email I received from a small business owner asking about the future of our community. Another example of a lost opportunity.
~~~~~

Our dream is to live in the St Lawrence River area. Cape Vincent has long been one of the towns of interest. We are wondering about the status of the wind farm and how it will impact the community. I have seen differing maps of the proposed farm and am wondering where to get the best information. I am not anti-wind farm but some of the maps I have seen look like it could destroy Cape Vincent’s charm.

Signed,

Rochester

Cape Vincent Town Board meeting ~ concerning the replacement of Mickey Orvis

5:00 PM tonight the Cape Vincent Town board opened a special board meeting to interview prospective candidates to fill the board seat left vacant by the resignation of Mickey Orvis. The three candidates that submitted applications were Paul Aubertine, Michele Oswald and Edward Hludzenski. After interviewing the applicants the board re-convened at 6:00 Pm they stated that all three candidates were well qualified however they decided not to appoint anyone. Supervisor Hirschey stated that because all three applicants were running for Mickey Orvis' seat , and to be fair they decided to let the voters choose in November.

At the end of the meeting Democrat Chair Harold Wiley was given the courtesy of being allowed to speak.

Mr. Wiley expressed his dissatisfaction with the board’s decision ~ Wiley said that Paul Aubertine was a fine young man and traditionally when a board member has stepped down the board has chosen a replacement from the same political party.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Communities at risk...


July 13 2012 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo urged all New Yorkers to take extra caution, as dry weather conditions have led to a heightened danger of wildfires across Upstate and Western New York. In addition, the state today will institute a statewide residential burn ban for 90 days through October 10.
(link to official press release )

 "These conditions should not be taken lightly," Governor Cuomo said. "The potential for disastrous wildfires is present in all areas of the state and we must do whatever we can to prevent fires from occurring. The state will continue to closely monitor the wildfire danger and we will deploy whatever resources are necessary to protect New Yorkers should a critical situation occur."

 Communities with industrial wind developments are at risk.  What would happen if there was a turbine fire during a burn ban ?
 The possibility of  a large scale disaster is real!

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Article 10 ~ New York State Public Service Commission ~ Does not comply with any of BP’s comments



Bp's  Development Director Richard Chandler sent a comment letter to the  Public Service Commission Re: Article 10 . Below are Chandlers comments (in black) The response to Chandlers requests by the Public Service Commission  are in red . 
Read Chandlers letter  to the PSC here


A. Design changes
Wind turbines, as well as collection systems, access roads, transmission lines, project substations, and other ancillary, related, and interconnection equipment, should have the ability to move to a new location (at least as much as 500 feet) without such change being considered a modification or revision, so long as such changes do not have a significant adverse impact on sensitive resources and regardless of the impetus for the change (Siting Board decision, compromise with transmission operator, etc.).
~~~~~~~~

 PSC action ~  No changes

Discussion
The discretion the issue here does not include discretion to move turbines without siting board approval, although the siting board may consider granting such discretion separately in a certificate condition. The addition of access roads and electrical collector lines to the allowance is a logical and practical extension of what was intended by the original allowance with respect to turbine placement therefore those changes will be made. Changes in substation locations in turbine types may raise substantially different issues and should be considered on a case-by-case basis without a pre – set allowance for changes. The interplay of concurrent siting board and FAA jurisdiction may present a challenge to siting, but limiting flexibility in the siting board arena will not necessarily make matters easier. In large rural, agricultural or forest landscape, 500 foot shift could likely be accommodated provided that it does not significantly increase impacts on sensitive resources or decrease compliance with setbacks and similar requirements. We expect that most such shifts will be motivated by decreasing adverse impacts rather than increasing them.
~~~~~~~
B. Local laws
Any override of local laws should be provided by the Siting Board early in the process. Also, once a project has met the standards for project approval, the local community should bear the burden of proof to demonstrate why the more restrictive requirements are appropriate rather than the applicant demonstrating why they are not appropriate. Finally, to the extent that a recently commissioned wind project in New York meets community standards, such projects should be used as a guide by the Siting Board rather than having the Siting Board assume that any local law is reasonable unless refuted by an applicant.

 PSC action ~  No changes

  Discussion
In regard to the request for early determination of the waiver of local laws, article 10 of the proposed regulations do not prohibit the siting board's consideration of applicant requests to override local laws at a point early on in the article 10 process. That being said however, applicant should consider that often the facts necessary for the siting board to determine whether to waive a local law will require the development of a record. Specifically, article 10 expressly recognizes the ability of municipalities to defend their local laws; therefore, it will be likely that some level of evidence in litigation regarding the issue will be necessary prior to the board rendering a determination.
The siding board must find that the facility is designed to operate in compliance with all local substantial requirements, all of which shall be binding upon the applicant, unless the siting board finds a local ordinance to be unreasonably burdensome, the siding board itself applies the ordinance.
The regulations also do not preclude an applicant from presenting whatever additional relevant and material information and desires to present in the application or at the hearings to support an applicants request. Similarly, parties on the other side of the of such issues are also not precluded from providing additional information as to the consideration of local laws adopted after the submission of an application, we'll have to consider that matter on a case-by-case basis. We understand that there is precedent in New York in the zoning contacts that vested rights to construct something without regard to newly enacted local laws do not a cure unless the construction has substantially commenced pursuant to a valid permit.
~~~~~~
C. Study Area
A Study Area extending five miles from all project components is overly burdensome, and may result in work unrelated to the project. The Study Area should be restricted to the project footprint, except for individual requirements where extending beyond the project boundaries would be customary and reasonable, as determined during the stipulation process.


PSC action ~  No changes

Discussion
The issues raised are similar to those already raised in the stakeholder process. The proposed regulations provide sufficient flexibility to address all the issues that were raised in an appropriate manner. Having reviewed the comments we are satisfied and no changes are warranted.
~~~
D. Duration of steps in process
The review of the public involvement plan should proceed in parallel, rather than
Sequentially, with the preliminary scoping statement process. BP Wind Energy has
already been engaged with the local community for years on the Cape Vincent Wind Farm project and such work should not be ignored, discounted, or required to be reproduced. The draft regulations provide the opportunity, for good cause, to eliminate or reduce the number of days between the public involvement plan and the preliminary scoping statement. The same “reduction for good cause” approach should be made available for the preliminary scoping statement Vis a Vis filing an application; this change would have the effect of reducing the required number of days between the filing of these two documents.

  PSC action ~  No changes
Discussion
It is important that public involvement activities begin as early as practicable before development plans are so far it advanced that the developer feels it cannot be flexible or open to beneficial modifications. Moreover, the statute calls for early and often public involvement in the siting process
In any event, most, if not all, major electric generation facilities are planned over a sufficient lead time that the time period set forth in the proposed regulation should not be unnecessarily burdensome.
~~~~~~~~
E. Business sensitive and confidential information
Applicants should not be required to submit detailed cost and meteorological data; as such information is proprietary and confidential and will not assist the Siting Board in its work.

 PSC action ~  No changes
Discussion
In general we would agree with the comments that the cost information is necessary as an important input in an article 10 proceeding, including for analysis that will inform the necessary statutory findings and determinations. For example such information may be relevant to the required consideration of alternatives, the reasonableness of local laws, or whether the proposed facilities in the public interest. Article 10 provides for public procedure where public involvement is a key component of the review process. In that context, almost all of the application information that rates to be an essential board finding or determination will have to be publicly available.
The language of the proposed regulation requires submittal of an analysis of the data; it does not expressly mandate the raw data itself. If either the raw data or that analysis qualifies for trade secret status, applicants can pursue their rights in that regard to limit public disclosure.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
F. Public comment period
The timeframe for allowing public comment on a proposed stipulation should be defined rather than using the current language (“a reasonable opportunity to submit comments”). We should suggest using 5 days.

 PSC action ~  No changes
Discussion
In keeping with the statutory scheme to act efficiently, the time frames provided are already the minimum necessary to conduct a workable process and there is no room to further expedite the process and have it remain meaningful.


G. Intervenor funds
Time frames for applying for and awarding pre-application Intervenor funds needs to be substantially reduced. We would suggest condensing this process to 30 days.

 PSC action ~  No changes
Discussion
While every attempt will be made to act quickly, the time frames are already minimal and need to be maintained to be realistic.
 ~~~~~~~~
H. Alternate locations
For Section 1000.5(l) (2) (viii), and elsewhere in the document where this issue appears, the word “affiliates” should be deleted when looking at alternate locations. Merely being an affiliate does not give the applicant unfettered access to land holdings held by an affiliate.
~~~
 PSC action ~  No changes
Discussion
Having reviewed the comments we are satisfied that in general, no changes are warranted.

I. Locations of facilities
Rather than scanning the entire Study Area, only existing utilities and infrastructure used or impacted by the project should be delineated by the applicant.

PSC action ~  No changes
Discussion
In general we would agree with the comments that the cost information is necessary as an important input in an article 10 proceeding, including for analysis that will inform the necessary statutory findings and determinations. For example such information may be relevant to the required consideration of alternatives, the reasonableness of local laws, or whether the proposed facilities in the public interest. Article 10 provides for public procedure where public involvement is a key component of the review process. In that context, almost all of the application information that rates to be an essential board finding or determination will have to be publicly available.
~~~~~~~~~~

J. Design specifications
The interconnection engineering detail requested is not needed to support the evaluation of an Article 10 application and instead should be required only during the compliance period. Similarly, rather than provide manufacturer’s specifications on proposed equipment to be used, it would be more helpful to instead describe parameters of the equipment. This approach would allow flexibility to maintain flexibility during project evolution.
We would suggest deleting Section 1001.6 (c) of the proposed regulations, as it is not clear what information is sought here regarding turbines nor what such information would be used for by the Siting Board.

PSC action = No deletion
Discussion
We are satisfied that the regulation will elicit the appropriate amount of information needed at the application phase regarding setbacks. It is not clear how the wind developer that does not want to provide this information would have the siding board resolves setback issues. We will address setbacks within individual cases or we will have the benefit of a record tailored to the particular location.


K. Electric System Effects
Section 1001.5 should be deleted and instead, any studies and reports for the project stemming from the NYISO interconnection application process for the project should be used to satisfy any statutory requirements for information on the project’s projected impact on the grid.


PSC action = No deletion

Discussion
We expect that the required system reliability impact study from the NYISO will provide the basis for much of what is required by this section, the study itself will not adequately address all the issues as we have laid them out. In addition, we believe wind advocates are incorrect when they asserted that the system reliability impact study will address the root deliverability in the sense that we have used that term in relation to estimating the effects of the proposed facility on omissions and the energy dispatch of existing must – Run resources such as wind, hydroelectric and nuclear facilities.

L. Noise and Vibration
The current language is unclear on how ambient sound data is collected and reported for wind energy facilities. An unduly large emphasis is placed on the assessment of low frequency and tonal noise. The current language proposes assessing compliance at property lines of noise sensitive receptors, which introduces uncertainty from a modeling perspective for a wind farm. We would propose that the Siting Board adopt the language changes proposed by ACENY (attached herein for ease of reference).

 PSC action ~  No changes
Discussion
Despite the number of comments, no significantly different information than that presented in the stakeholder process has been offered. The proposed regulations would require applicants to provide an analysis of whether the facility will produce significant levels of low frequency noise or infra-sound, without specifically requiring the measurement and estimation of C – weighted/DBC sound levels, but do not preclude a case-by-case determination requiring the measurement and estimation of C – weighted/DBC sound levels in a preceding in an appropriate circumstance. Until we have more experience with these issues, we will leave the regulations as originally proposed.




Link here to read the PSC memorandum and resolution

Article 10 ~ Memorandum and Resolution ~ has been issued and is now publicly available.

Memorandum and Resolution has been issued and is now publicly
available. The final regulations are included as an appendix.


CASE 12-F-0036 - In the Matter of the Rules and Regulations of the Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment, contained in 16 NYCRR, Chapter X, Certification of Major Electric Generating Facilities.
MEMORANDUM AND RESOLUTION ADOPTING ARTICLE 10 REGULATIONS
(Issued and Effective July 17, 2012)
BY THE BOARD:

Link here to read document

INTRODUCTION
In this memorandum and resolution, the New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment (Siting
CASE 12-F-0036
-2-
Board) promulgates new regulations to implement Article 10 of the Public Service Law, enacted in Chapter 388 of the Laws of 2011. Article 10 empowers the Siting Board to issue Certificates of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need authorizing the construction and operation of major electric generating facilities.
BACKGROUND
The Legislature enacted Article 10 of the Public Service Law (PSL) to ensure that state and local regulatory certification regarding the construction and operation of major electric generating facilities would be determined in a unified manner. The statute requires certification proceedings to be conducted expeditiously and generally imposes a 12-month deadline on such proceedings. The statute mandates a pre-application consultation process to obtain early input from the public regarding proposed facilities, provides for active public involvement, and establishes requirements for intervenor funding to promote local participation in siting cases. The statute also empowers the Siting Board to promulgate regulations to implement Article 10.

Allegations of bribery and corruption carried out by a contractor working on an engineering project ~ on behalf of BP

It has been widely reported that British Petroleum (BP) has been in contact with the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) over recent allegations of bribery and corruption carried out by one of its contractors in Azerbaijan. The contractor self-reported incidents of bribery to the SFO after it came to light late last year. The name of the contractor has not yet been made public, however it is understood that the contractor was working on an engineering project on behalf of BP in Azerbaijan.

Neither BP or any of its employees are believed to have paid any bribes, however if the self-reported acts of bribery occurred after 1st July 2011, BP could potentially be found strictly liable for acts of the contractor as an associated person of BP. The Bribery Act 2010 makes a company criminally liable for acts undertaken by its employees, its agents and contractors.

More at this link

Source : MacRoberts Compliance & Regulatory Update 17/07/12

Monday, July 16, 2012

Turbine size ~ All that it's stacked up to be!

Yesterday I did a post about how the wind industry is using computer-generated images in planning applications that make the turbines seem smaller than they are in reality.

To put the turbine size in perspective I put together a picture of turbine size compared to a  two story house  and Tibbett’s point lighthouse.


BP’s Development strategy~ “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.

BP’s Cape Vincent Wind’s development manager wrote a letter to the Town of Cape Vincent and the Article 10 siting board. Each letter had the same theme.

Chandler: BP Wind Energy has already been engaged with the local community for years on the Cape Vincent Wind Farm project and such work should not be ignored.
Additionally Chandler added: the proposed Zoning Law would effectively prohibit wind generation from being sited within the Town. The Town has already evaluated potential impacts from the Cape Vincent St. Lawrence wind farm projects and made favorable findings.

The favorable findings that BP’s Chandler speaks of resulted from BP and Acciona tampering with the Local Legislative Process.

In 2006 both BP Energy and Acciona Energia began the permitting process for two proposed industrial wind projects in Cape Vincent. At the time we had no provision in our zoning law to regulate or guide wind development. After two aborted attempts at drafting a wind law by previous town lawmakers, a committee convened in 2010 for a third try. The committee consisted of a representative and leader of a local wind leaseholder group as well as wind lease holding town officials.
At the February 5 and 6, 2010 meetings, with the assistance of the Town's consulting acoustical engineers, Cavanaugh Tocci Associates, Sudbury, MA, the noise section of the draft wind law was completed . It followed the NYSDEC guideline that no new noise source can exceed background sound by more than 6 dBA, but it also included details for measuring background sound and compliance testing that is missing in the NYSDEC policy.

Contrary to BP's assertion, they did NOT support development of our wind ordinance.
 The wind law committee had reached a consensus at the February 2010 meeting but through the efforts of BP and their leaseholders that agreement was sabotaged.

Shortly after the May 2 wind law meeting began Beth White, committee member and spokesperson for the leaseholder group, suggested picking 50 dBA for a noise limit rather than what the committee had agreed to at the previous meeting. At this point she began discussing economic impacts. White explained that a 50 dBA noise limit would have financial benefits to the community. White presented a spread sheet containing facts and figures to support her claim.
Bottom line a less protective wind law would mean bigger money for the community and lease holders. The lease holding committee members agreed with White blindsiding the other committee members.

May 5, 2010 Three days after this travesty of a meeting, BP’s Business developer, Jim Madden sent a letter to the Cape Vincent Town Board containing data prepared by BP; coincidentally it was the same spread sheet with the same data that White had claimed as her own.

Madden: “The Town of Cape Vincent has been working on developing a wind ordinance for almost two years now. Through this time, BP Wind has supported the development of a wind ordinance so that expectations for siting, construction and operations of wind farms can be clearly established and uniformly enforced. However, despite recent efforts, it appears that a wind ordinance will not be implemented this year, largely due to a lack of agreement on noise limits.”

Additionally Madden wrote “As the limits are tightened, there will be a reduction in the number of turbines and reduction in economic benefits.”

Comparing Madden’s data to that presented by White at the committee meeting, it is clear that she was acting as an agent for BP to thwart the efforts of the committee.

This is only one example of how “BP Wind Energy has been engaged with the local community for years on the Cape Vincent Wind Farm project.”

BP’s Noise Consultant Misrepresented Background Sound: Hessler Associates, Haymarket, VA was retained by BP Wind Energy to complete summertime, background sound study within the project boundaries of BP's Cape Vincent wind power project.
Because there were concerns early on among local citizens that the developer’s noise report was misleading, the Wind Power Ethics Group (WPEG) contracted Dr. Paul Schomer, of Schomer and Associates, Inc., Champagne, IL, to conduct an independent study and review of BP/ Hessler's report.

Schomer's report uncovered a number of questionable practices. One sound level meter was less than 100 ft. from a marshaling yard for heavy construction equipment being  used for a water line project.

Hessler suggested  this site is typical for residences along Rte. 12E .
Additionally, Hessler claimed that insect noise,  elevated background sound levels and would provide a natural making noise that, would minimize wind turbine noise impacts.

Schomer, however, disagreed: The presence of insect noise does nothing to mitigate the wind turbine noise; the measurement of insect noise only masks and obfuscates the truth.”

Schomer concluded by stating, ““Hessler’s BP study for the Cape Vincent Wind Power Facility appears to have selected the noisiest sites, the noisiest time of year, and the noisiest positions at each measurement site. Collectively, these choices resulted in a substantial overestimate of the A-weighted ambient sound level, 45-50 dB according to Hessler.”
 In contrast Schomer found background sound levels were 30 dBA averaged for night-time, daytime and evening. Night-time levels in Cape Vincent averaged 25dBA

BP’s sordid history in Cape Vincent began with their signing many of our town officials and their families to wind leases and good neighbor agreements, knowing this would create blatant conflicts of interest.
 This is a violation of the town’s ethics code and NY State law.
BP’ has stated lofty intentions with their Cape Vincent Wind development however the facts speak for themselves.

BP has left a profound mark on our community, tearing apart families, friendships, and ripping the fabric of our community to shreds.

NYS DEPT of Health & Their position on Wind Turbine siting


  Recently a reader commented specifically concerned about the proximity of Acciona Energia's cement batch plant and its location near the Thousand Island's Central School. The New York State Education Department and the Health Department have passed the buck on letters specific to the problem.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~November 7, 2008
Another concerned citizen of Cape Vincent had similar questions. This citizen wrote to the New York state Department of Health and asked what their position was, about siting wind turbans and human health .This is what the NY State Department of health had to say...



Here is a link to the document How-to guide to criteria for siting wind turbines to prevent health risks from sound

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Wind turbines a matter of warped perspective

Photo trickery makes wind farms smaller
JULY 15TH, 2012
James Gillespie Published: 15 July 2012

WIND FARM developers have been accused of deceiving local councils and the public by using computer-generated images in planning applications that make the turbines seem smaller than they are in reality. The claim is contained in a new book, Windfarm Visualisation: Perspective or Perception,
by the architect Alan Macdonald, whose company, Architech, specialises in computer- generated images. A separate study by the University of Stirling found serious flaws in the images that are presented as part of a visual impact assessment in the planning process.
Macdonald said the accepted practice was for a photograph of the landscape where the turbines are to be sited to be taken on a camera with a 50mm lens. This is then “stitched together” with other 50mm shots to create a long, shallow panorama on an A3 page.

Link to original from

BLACKROD AND HORWICH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION GROUP



Below are three photo simulations  from BP's SDEIS.

link here to view all photo simulations of Cape Vincent  for  BP/ Acciona.
 Many of the turbines in the simulations are depicted in such a way that they are barely visible.


BP's Cape Vincent Wind Complex ~ Update

This story dated 07/11/2012  from Generation Hub ~ Re: BP's Plans for Cape Vincent, NY
~~~

BP Wind Energy North America Inc., through its Cape Vincent Wind Power LLC subsidiary, is developing the Cape Vincent Wind Farm in Jefferson County, N.Y., though the project is basically on hold right now as the state works through a change in its Article X permitting program.

BP Wind Energy is one of a number of companies that recently filed proposals for power generation and transmission projects with the state of New York under Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Energy Highway initiative. The New York Power Authority is handling the proposals for a task force appointed by the governor. The task force is taking public comment on the proposals until July 31, then will release an action plan this fall.



Link to original written by Barry Cassell

NYS Public Service Commission in the Pocket of Corporatists

I found the following on a website called~


BREAKING ALL THE RULES FORUM




http://batr.org/reactionary/071512.html


NYS Public Service Commission in the Pocket of Corporatists

 SARTRE
(admnistrater )

The corporatist culture of lobbyist Jack Abramoff is alive not only on K Street, but in the offices of the New York State Public Service Commission. The long awaited report on the rules for electric generation siting demonstrates that the industrial wind lobby is on speed dial to the agency tasked to regulate their power facilities. In the new gilded age of robber barons, the "public servants" at the PSC earn their stripes as capitalist tool lackeys. Damn the public interest, the expedited approval of projects is guaranteed. Money influence trumps sound science, property rights, municipal home rule and health & safety.

After submitting exhausting documentation and constructive comments that urged minimum industry manufacturers own standards, protective noise restrictions and siting distances to ensure the public health and safety, and meaningful citizen participation involvement in permitting approval; the permanent Siting Board for Article X ignored all improvements to their draft regulations.


SARTRE – July 15, 2012


link to original

Call for a moratorium on wind development in Canada

by Dan McLean
 www.bayshorebroadcasting.ca
14 July 2012
~~~~

Wind Concerns Ontario is joining the call for a moratorium on wind turbine development.

President Jane Wilson says it only makes sense since Health Canada announced it is going to study the impact turbines have on the health of people living near them.
Wilson says it is unacceptable for the Ontario government to continue to approve projects when they are not able to measure the noise from these turbines.
Researchers will assess residents’ blood pressure and take other physical measurements, and measure noise levels both inside and outside some homes.
Some people complain that exposure to low-frequency noise and vibrations from turbines can lead to sleep disorders, headaches, depression, anxiety and even blood pressure changes.
Wilson is glad to hear researchers will actually visit the homes of people affected by the turbines.

The study will take about two years to complete.
Wilson hopes the study will find wind turbines should not be set so close to residential homes.
She also hopes there will be compensation for people affected by wind turbines.

The McCann evaluation of Cape Vincent's economic report


  This weeks most viewed post

 The McCann  evaluation of Cape Vincent's economic report  .

Michael S. McCann, McCann Appraisal, LLC.  found that after completing his review of the subject location, it was clear that numerous homes in the Cape Vincent area will be adversely impacted, and the best available evidence indicates that value loss of 25% to 40% or more will occur to homes within approximately 2 miles of the turbines. This impact is not expected to be uniform, and some losses may well be lower and others higher.

His full report can be read at this link 

Saturday, July 14, 2012

TURBINE ~ RATS!

The wind industry and corruption seem to go hand in hand.
If I were to use the words industrial wind and rats in the same sentence most likely you would think  I was referring to wind developers.


Guess again, wind farms may produce intermittent, undependable, and expensive power but they also produce rats. Wind farms are rat farms.


Wildlife experts have warned that the proliferation of industrial wind and the increasing bird and bat kills will result in a spike in the numbers of disease-carrying mosquitoes and crop-destroying insects. But there is another problem arising from the decreased number of raptors, rat infestations.
In California where wind turbines are killing Raptors by the thousands, and decreasing numbers to the point that some species may become extinct ,the rat population is thriving so well, that people’s homes near the wind developments are becoming infested with the disease carrying rodents.
Predators such as snakes seem to have disappeared as well; one theory is that the vibrations scare the snakes away. Without the predators to keep the rodents in check it is rapidly becoming a concern.
California's smaller San Gorgonio Pass wind farm has reported that rats are becoming so prevalent and bold that they move right into area homes and establish nests.

One resident reported that they have caught at least 40 rodents in their Painted Hills home this year. The rodents have nested in their kitchen cabinets, snacked on food in the pantry and left droppings in their laundry room. It's the worst infestation they have ever had; the rats are multiplying like rabbits.
The wind industry believes that there is no evidence to prove that the increase in rodents is related to wind development.
Since coyotes, are the only natural predators left this could lead to a proliferation of coyotes as well.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Bp Billboard Vandalized

July 5,2012
A major billboard for BP, the official fuel and gas provider of the Olympics, was vandalized in London as part of a protest against environmental practices of the British petroleum company.

UPI reports some environmental groups are encouraging acts of "brand piracy," including spreading black oil paint on major billboards promoting the company's Olympic sponsorship. The six-paneled billboard above sits on Cromwell Road, a major traffic route in central London.

Grindstone Island - Bird and Bat Migration - Biodiversity Research Institute



The Bio Diversity Research Institute was awarded a contract by the USFWS's Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Program.  The purpose of the grant is to identify areas that require special protection

This video was filmed and produced to document BRI’s Monitoring effort focused on songbirds and bats on Grindstone Island   
     





Link here to the Biodiversity research website

Exclusive Video: Wind turbine catches fire during storms

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Wolfe Island ~ Wind

  Rethinking wind farms 9
Tuesday, July 10, 2012





After arguing long and loud that their families' health has been put at risk by the Ontario government's pursuit of green energy in form of wind farms, our local opponents of the turbines must be feeling some sense of satisfaction and vindication today.

Last year, the Ontario government halted development of offshore wind farms like the ones off Kingston's shoreline, pending more scientific research into the effects on the health and well-being of those who live and work in their flickering shadows.

And now the federal government has announced that it will pursue such studies. Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq announced on Tuesday that Health Canada and Statistics Canada will investigate the turbines and the health concerns related to their presence.

Proponents of green energy suggest the real ailment of those complaining about the turbines is a powerful case of NIMBYism, and that the “farms” are less noisy and disturbing than living near a busy highway.

Opponents hate even the term “farms,” arguing the word itself paints a bucolic, pastoral picture of what are really rural industrial developments. For those living beneath the turbines, the list of fears is compelling
It's not just the “insidious, life-deadening noise,” as one letter-writer to the Whig put it, but the fluctuations in air pressure and the vibrations that cause breathing problems, digestive issues, anxiety, headaches, struggles with concentration and disrupted sleep. And then there's the horrifying thought that the windmills could also cause learning disabilities in their children.

The turbine debate is fraught with political dangers for Ontario's government. Rural opposition to the projects have wounded the Liberals deeply at the ballot box.

Some who don't live among the turbines can't truly understand the fears of those who do; it's easy to look across the water as they spin lazily in the sunshine and think only of the greener Earth we'll leave to our children.

Meanwhile, there are many who oppose the green energy development for economic reasons alone. The province has spent billions on developing renewable energy sources with little, it seems, to show for it. Even Ontario's environmental commissioner suggested last month that the province's green energy campaign was misfiring, suggesting the focus be put on conservation, not generation.

But these are academic debates for the people who fear for their families' safety. Janet White of Wolfe Island once told a public meeting that her family were “the lab rats in this green experiment.” Now the government scientists are going to weigh in. If they find any substance to the health concerns, it will likely mean the end of these projects. But it might be too little, too late for Ms. White and her community.
-The Whig-Standard