TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013
BP Wind Energy has failed to meet several state requirements in its preliminary scoping statement for the proposed Cape Vincent Wind Farm and used a half-century-old map for its turbine site plan, according to state Department of Public Service staff.
“The mapping included in the PSS is seriously out-of-date United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic quadrangles published circa 1958,” the department’s staff said, recommending that BP use the most recent 2012 edition. [Watertown Times]
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
OVERVIEW
In DEC’s opinion, and
as evidenced below, the PSS filed by CVWP is not in the form that it will appear
in the application – making review difficult; and although replete with
redundancies, is also lacking in reasonably available and necessary
information, while containing a host of items needing further clarification.
The PSS does not contain any Exhibits using the numbering system in the regulations,
but rather uses its own alphabetic nomenclature with subparts, repeating some
of the same information and statements from section to section. It also appears
to DEC that the PSS is, for the most part, very general in nature, lacking in
specificity of important local elements to this particular project, and devoid
of “as much information as is reasonably available concerning the proposed
facility”. Many of the Applicant’s responses to comments and questions raised
during consultations remain unanswered, or simply state that they will be addressed
in the application. Clearly, the PSS is not in compliance with either the
intent or spirit of the requirements of 16 NYCRR § 1000.5 especially Subsection
(l)(1 through 8), which are intended to allow for a meaningful discussion
between the Applicant, the public, affected agencies, and other stakeholders
toward development of the Application.
Another important point about this article is the fact it made the front page and the headline stretched across the breadth of the page.
ReplyDeleteThis article and headline that BP Failed will likely be picked up by news services and get more play nationally.
In the battle for the hearts and minds of State officials, today's news story will hurt BP as much as the reviews by DEC and DPS.
In my opinion the map provided by Bee Pee is outright fraud and a violation of the intent of the Article X public information program. In this day and age a seventh grade school kid with a smart phone could come up with a currant map of a Korean missile base showing a bowl of rice on a table. WTF?
ReplyDeleteAt least the WDT made this a headline story -- as it should be.
ReplyDeleteThis substantiates the competence of Supervisor Hirschey our town board and Richard MacSherry our planning board and the score of volunteer committee workers who have been saying these things all along. The DA, HW dems and the GK citizens for fair government have tried hard to slam our public officials and say they don't know what they are doing. DA wants to take back the Cape and give it to Bp. The citizens of Cape Vincent would be very wise to re-elect these public officials until the wind situation is resolved. This is no time to put our government in the hands of inexperienced young pro wind pups who have never attended a town meeting unless accompanied by their parents.
ReplyDeleteI can't help think that this headline would never had occurred without the State's critique and the State's critique would never had occurred under Justin Taylor and Clayton's Vichy government. These events in Cape Vincent were shaped by the persistence and dedication of a tribe of great pains in the asses.
ReplyDeleteHail to those in Clayton, Orleans, Lyme and Brownville who are contemplating rising up to engage the enemy, Iberdrola. By being a pain in the ass you will all do a great service to your community and the Thousand Islands region. Rise up!
7:13
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind that their map may have been prepared specifically for the residents of Little Appalachia. It had to be understood by doddering old diaper hangers who are full time residents of Cape Vincent. I think it may have been intended as a duel purpose map also showing only those who have a right to vote.
7:32
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind that you do have a right to your opinion regardless of how hard people like Justin Taylor might try to suppress and mock your opinion or bully you around. If you love the Thousand Islands dedicate this one summer of your lives to attending Town of Clayton Meetings and helping the Clayton officials to protect one of the coolest towns in America. Also, tell Justin to relax his comment rules. If you buy into the you can't see them from the river lie, you will be very sorry in the future.
IF YOU ARE A SEASONAL RESIDENT OF THE GOLDEN CRESCENT AND THOUSAND ISLANDS YOU BETTER REALIZE THAT DARREL AUBERTINE THE NEW YORK STATE AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER WANTS TO TAKE BACK CAPE VINCENT AND GIVE IT TO BRITISH PETROLEUM.
ReplyDeleteREGISTER TO VOTE IN THE GOLDEN CRESCENT AND THOUSAND ISLANDS.
Here's a question. does this rebuke by the state mean the PSC does not accept the PSS, or are they simply unhappy with it?
ReplyDeleteBP doesn't seem to care much who likes or dislikes their actions,so the real issue is will the PSC force them to resubmit,or can BP simply address all the complaints in their application,or during the review hearing?
According to a previous response by the PSC, to a Town of Cape Vicent letter, no-one can force BP to include anything in their PSS. If that is the case all this reprimanding, criticizing,and describing of all their shortcomings, will simply provide BP with all the sufficient, pertinent info to move confidently on to the next phase.
BP has claimed they have six wind farms in progress throughout the United States and it appears from doing a little Google searching that all of them are in trouble and are not progressing well.
ReplyDeleteThis is more than likely the reason BP has decided to dump their wind division.
BP should do the right thing and terminate the Cape Vincent project before this process does more damage to BP’s reputation and significant harm to Cape Vincent.
Cape Vincent Town Board 1, BP 0.
ReplyDeleteBP go home!
Mr. Lee reported on the Department of Public services economic concerns. And, there are many.
ReplyDeleteThe Town of Orleans followed by the Town of Cape Vincent prepared extensive wind turbine economic reports which addressed "reliance on tourism resources and attractions as an economic mainstay" as well as negative impacts on home values and loss of overall town value. A spokesman for voters for wind which operates under the advisement of a Bp community organizer stood up in a town meeting and claimed that the Cape Vincent economic study was all wrong. The wind leasing holding chairman of the Cape planning board did not publicly acknowledge the economic study prepared by a committee appointed by is own supervisor. The Cape economic study should be re-visited as part of Bp's application and the experts on property value and other economic impacts should be recalled. At the time one well known around the world appraiser said most homes in Cape Vincent could expect a 40% or more loss in value.