Wind Power - Rochester, NY area 

RochesterEnvironment.com

Considering Wind Power as a major renewable energy  source for our area.    

Page Contents: Wind Power NewsLinks | Discussions |Education | Resources |Groups Against Wind | Groups For Wind |

 

Because the federal government will not make comprehensive rules for the placement of wind turbines around the country, providing us with one of the best sources for renewable energy, most town councils have been given this critical role for each of their communities.  How are they doing? 


My photo of Steel Winds project in Lacawanna, NY.

This is one of the hottest topics in our area because of the important of renewable energy and the reluctance of many to embrace it when wind farms threaten their region.  Not all communities are against one of the most important energy sources for dealing with Global Warming, but enough to keep this issue in the news. 

Find out all information, news, and resources pertaining to wind generators in and around Rochester, New York.  Hopefully, my wind power page will help present all sides of the issue and elevate the debate to discussions about Global Warming and not NYMBY (not in my back yard).

(Above scripts from Dynamic Drive)

 

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Wind Power Discussion

Rochester area information or discussions pertaining to the placement and use of wind power in our area. 

  • If Your Grid Is Dirty If you are getting your power from a dirty electric grid, you are using dirty power. In other words, if your electric lamp is plugged into a system that is powered somewhere along your power line with a power generator that pollutes or emits greenhouse gases into our atmosphere (or otherwise harms our environment), your lamp is using dirty power. (Presently, we New Yorkers get 18% of our power from coal; 17% from hydroelectric, 1% wind, 1% biomass, 1% solar, 1% solid waste, 12% oil, 29% nuclear, and 22% natural gas.)  more...
  • Energy A Moral Issue: As we turn on our lights, run our air conditioners, and charge our gadgets we do so mostly by burning coal. Coal pollutes and adds dramatically to manmade global warming. So, when we decide not to conserve electricity or not to allow a renewable energy source near our home, we condemn many to the hazards of mountain top removal. That wind turbine won’t be in our backyard, but that blasted mountain top which tailing will pollute that wants and disfigure the lands will be in somebody else’s backyard. Morally, though, we all live in the coal fields because we use the power of coal and won’t allow a better power source to run our lives. more...
  • Sacrificing Beauty In their efforts to preserve the aesthetics of their community under the looming threat of renewable energy, the folks over at Cleveland’s city council may be ‘throwing the baby out with the bathwater.’ In their haste to get in front of the potential problems a new energy infrastructure might entail, they maybe be crippling our ability to keep our way of life. OK, that’s a bit strong, but let me go on. more...
  • The Question of the Day It’s shouldn’t be a question, we should be changing our energy attitudes. This is the question of the day, will the economic crisis experienced world-wide slow down renewable energy growth? It’s too bad that it’s framed as a question, when it should be framed as an opportunity: Our present economics and reliance on fossil-burning fuel have failed us, now it’s time to change our economies so that our economies reflect their effect on our environment and all governments should be focusing on wind and solar power for our future energy needs—even oil and coal companies should devote their monies to making solar and wind power work (which, I know is heresy.) more...
  • Renewable Energy, Not Nuclear Although there are many nuclear plants around the world, one Chernobyl-like incident will chill any Global Warming argument used in favor of using nuclear power. Man is prone to error, despite the efforts of the best and brightest who build and maintain our nuclear power plants. For, when you think about it, they have to be the best given the consequences of a nuclear error. Also, nuclear plants take a long time to build (meaning paperwork), a lot of insurance, and lots and lots of water to cool the plants—not to mention the warmed waters discharges which affect fish life. more...
  • Drill, Baby, Drill? Do we really want to drill oil in the off-shore waters of the Untied States? Does the “Drill, Baby, Drill!” chant (at the Republican Convention) reflect a wise, long-term solution to “our nation’s addition to oil”—as President Bush put it? Or, is it one of those positions we used to take when we were five years old, where we wanted what we wanted it, when we wanted it, put our hands over our ears and wouldn’t listen to anything else? more...
  • Our Generation’s Responsibility Tragically, our media has not brought to the forefront the importance of the new rage in gas drilling in New York State. And, the public doesn’t seem to care where they get their fossil fuels, just as long as fuel prices remain low. That’s too bad because this issue—natural gas drilling in the wide-spread Marcellus Shale—could have a big impact on our air, land, and water quality. more...

 

Power Naturally - "Power...NaturallySM has been developed as a logo or brand for all of NYSERDA's renewable energy programs. Most of NYSERDA's renewable energy initiatives are part of the New York Energy $martSM program, which is designed to support certain public-benefit programs during the transition to a more competitive electricity market." Utlity Scale - Large Wind

Wind Power Education

Learn about the issue of Wind Power with online sites and articles.

  • New Do's and Don'ts for NY's Wind Power Companies New York's Attorney General wants to fight dirty business in clean energy. As the alternative energy industry grows in New York, Andrew Cuomo said he wants to make sure wind power companies don't have undue influence on local government officials. (Oct 31, 08) http://www.rochesterhomepage.net/
  • Bloomberg wind proposal “worth studying,” says New York AREA - NEW YORK - New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance (New York AREA) Chairman Jerry Kremer Wednesday said New York City Mayor Bloomberg’s proposed windmill power plan for New York City is “one worth studying.” (Aug 21, 08) New York State News on the Net!
  • Offshore wind power project will make Ontario a global leader – Daily Commercial News Construction challenges posed by Ontario’s largest offshore wind development are an opportunity to harness building expertise in this area, says the project’s president. “A signature project like ours will help put Ontario into the global sphere of renewable energy,” says John Kourtoff, Trillium Power president and chief administrative officer. “There is an opportunity to not just set up a construction and supply chain for North America but it could help Europe as well.” (Jan 28, 08) Daily Commercial News – Reporting on the Canadian Construction Industry since 1927
  • Some looking to wind to restrain energy costs — Wind turbines are being considered on a small scale in various towns.- (June 25, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
  • Wound Up Over Windmills - "Upstate New Yorkers are up in arms about widespread plans to install wind farms. In some cases, they're fighting the green power plants with scare tactics more often associated with the anti-nuclear lobby. The whole state of New York is experiencing such a serious power crunch that Gov. George Pataki has taken drastic measures to help combat energy-supply problems and decrease the Empire State's ecological footprint." from Wired News: Top Stories
  • TheStar.com - City to test wind farm City to test wind farm Could an offshore wind farm help solve the city's power shortage? Toronto Hydro will test out the idea this spring - Someday in the not-too-distant future, Torontonians may be able to stand on the Scarborough Bluffs and see as many as 30 big wind turbines turning, two kilometres out in the waters of Lake Ontario. Toronto Hydro plans to start testing the lake winds this spring, setting up a tower to support an anemometer — a device that measures wind speed. If the results are favourable, the company will consider building a 60-megawatt wind farm offshore — enough electricity to power 20,000 homes.
  • Tilting at Windmills Local Environmentalism is Undermining One of Our Best Options for Slowing Global Warming - by Bill McKibben - "Finally, American environmentalists have a chance to get it right about wind power. News broke this week of plans for the first big wind energy installation in the Adirondack Park. Ten towering turbines would sprout on the site of an old garnet mine in this tiny town. They'd be visible from the ski slopes at nearby Gore Mountain, and they'd be visible too from the deep wild of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness, one of the loneliest and most beautiful parts of New York's "forever wild" Adirondack Forest Preserve, the model for a century of American conservation. In fact, it would be hard to imagine a place better suited to illustrate the controversy that wind power is causing in this country." --from Common Dreams | News & Views
  •  Windmills of controversy -- timesunion.com - The benefits of generating green power in the Adirondacks outweigh the drawbacks - First published: Sunday, May 22, 2005 - If there's one topic on which environmentalists are likely to agree, it's the promise of so-called green power. Indeed, when Gov. Pataki proposed to have New York use renewable sources, such as wind and solar, to generate 25 percent of the state's energy needs, the environmental community was quick to applaud him. Albany, N.Y. -- timesunion.com
  • Wind Energy Part of a Sustainable Future -May 11, 2005 — By Dr. David Suzuki, an op/ed  - Recently, I wrote an editorial in New Scientist magazine about the "not-in-my-backyard" approach some people and groups have adopted in regards to wind farms. It caused quite a fuss. ENN: Environmental News Network
  • Windmills in New York State: Read two Essays from the Democrat and Chronicle: Essay #1 Wind farms would mar N.Y. landscape - By Tom Golisano - (June 9, 2005) — As upstate New Yorkers, we are very fortunate to live in an area with numerous clean, beautiful lakes and miles of pristine, rolling countryside. Many of us take advantage of these magnificent surroundings in a variety of ways: as nature lovers, hikers, campers, hunters, property and business owners, to name a few. Something is being planned that will take away much of what we enjoy about our Finger Lakes region. That something is called "green power," in the form of the planned construction of dozens of wind farms. --Essay #2: Renewable power worth a sacrifice - By Bob Siegel - (June 9, 2005) — Many property owners in Springwater, Prattsburgh and elsewhere are questioning the wisdom of siting wind generators in such a picturesque region. Some feel that the scenic and rural quality of their towns will be endangered by these large machines. The Sierra Club is sympathetic to these concerns and believes that developers and officials need to listen carefully to the underlying issues. Were it not for the backdrop against which these concerns must be viewed, we would be supporting these citizens in their struggle. However, a much deeper threat to the future of our region and our planet compels us to urge people to approach these projects with an open mind. We are experiencing an unprecedented rate of climate change due to the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide. Massive killer heat waves, flooding, wildfires, acidification of oceans and lakes, migration of plant and animal species to cooler regions that leads to crop failures and widespread increases in infectious tropical diseases such as malaria and West Nile virus are now with us. Left unchecked, these will get much worse.
  • The call of the wild  CROSS RIVER — As a boy in Belfast, Danny Martin hiked the hills of Black Mountain that sheltered his home in Northern Ireland's capital. At that height, where the lapwings and the curlews made their nests, he would lie in the heather and feel such harmony with the heavens, he recalls, that it was like receiving Communion at early morning Mass. Now, as a 58-year-old man in America, Martin still pursues the panorama near his home at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation — where hawks ascend on thermal winds and again bring him eye to eye with the ethereal. --THE JOURNAL NEWS
  • New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment "Article X expired January 1, 2003. After that date, electric generating project developers must obtain all appropriate local and state permits and approvals, and undergo environmental review subject to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law). Project developers (if it is an electric corporation as defined in Section 2(13) of the Public Service Law) must also obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN), pursuant to Section 68 of the Public Service Law."

 

Wind Power Resources

Various Online Resources that promote the use of Wind Power.

  • Wind-Works by Paul Gipe An on-line archive of articles and commentary primarily--but not solely--on wind energy.
  • EERE: Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program Home Page Wind Energy Topics - Wind energy uses the energy in the wind for practical purposes like generating electricity, charging batteries, pumping water, or grinding grain. Large, modern wind turbines operate together in wind farms to produce electricity for utilities. Small turbines are used by homeowners and remote villages to help meet energy needs. -- from U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
  • BWEA - The UK's leading renewable energy association The British Wind Energy Association is the trade and professional body for the UK wind industry. Formed over 26 years ago, and with over 310 corporate members, BWEA is the largest renewable energy trade association in the UK. Wind has been the world's fastest growing renewable energy source for the last seven years, and this trend is expected to continue with falling costs of wind energy and the urgent international need to tackle CO2 emissions to prevent climate change. Our primary purpose is to promote the use of wind power in and around the UK, both onshore and offshore. We act as a central point for information for our membership and as a lobbying group to promote wind energy to government. We research and find solution to current issues and generally act as the forum for the UK wind industry. We have a professional staff of twelve at our Islington offices and an annual turnover in excess of one million pounds.
  • American Wind Energy Association  . . . Clean Energy for our Environment and Economy The American Wind Energy Association (AWEATM) promotes wind energy as a clean source of electricity for consumers around the world. AWEA is a national trade association that represents wind power plant developers, wind turbine manufacturers, utilities, consultants, insurers, financiers, researchers, and others involved in the wind industry -- one of the world's fastest growing energy industries. In addition, AWEA represents hundreds of wind energy advocates from around the world.
  •  Photographs of Buffalo New York, Western New York Windmills There are new windmills for power generation on top of a hill near Java, New York - 35 minutes southeast of Buffalo. They are about 100 feet tall. The first photo is from about 5 miles away, so you get an idea of how big they are.
  • REPP: WIND --Renewable Energy Policy Project - REPP's goal is to accelerate the use of renewable energy by providing credible information, insightful policy analysis, and innovative strategies amid changing energy markets and mounting environmental needs by researching, publishing, and disseminating information, creating policy tools, and hosting highly active, on-line, renewable energy discussion groups.
  • Canadian Wind Energy Association Wind is the fastest growing source of electricity in the world. Across Canada, electricity generated from wind is powering homes and businesses in a clean, reliable and efficient manner. The Canadian Wind Energy Association supports the appropriate development of wind energy in Canada. Our goal is to encourage investment in wind energy for 10,000 MW by 2010, providing 5% of Canada’s electricity.
  • NREL: National Wind Technology Center The National Wind Technology Center, located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains near Boulder, Colorado, is a world-class research facility managed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy. NWTC researchers work with members of the wind energy industry to advance wind power technologies that lower the cost of wind energy through research and development of state-of-the-art wind turbine designs.
  • Windpower Monthly News Magazine: Windpower Monthly is the world's leading wind energy news magazine -- a uniquely independent information source on the world's fastest growing renewable. Articles on political, industrial, environmental and technical developments in the global wind energy arena. National news updates which analyse, inform and put the news in focus reported in every issue, along with regular charting of market forces, thought provoking editorials and incisive analyses of business and economic trends. In short, critical and agenda-setting journalism.
  • New Wind Energy New Wind Energy™ from Community Energy, Inc. is electricity supplied from newly developed wind resources. New wind turbines are the fastest growing and most cost-effective renewable energy technology, producing electricity with no fuel and no pollution. Community Energy, Inc. was formed by people committed to protecting our environment, and to the development and promotion of NEW clean, renewable energy. Community Energy, Inc., brought the first commercial wind turbines online in Pennsylvania in December 1999, and is currently working to bring the largest wind farm east of the Mississippi online in 2002.
  • Small Wind in New York This page provides information specific to public policies, incentive programs, wind resources, and organizational resources for installing and operating a small wind turbine in New York.
  • The Alliance for Clean Energy New York's mission is to promote the use of clean, renewable electricity technologies and energy efficiency in New York State, in order to increase energy diversity and security, boost economic development, improve public health, and reduce air pollution.
  • Northeast Sustainable Energy Association The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) is the Northeast’s leading organization of professionals and concerned citizens working in sustainable energy and whole systems thinking. NESEA facilitates the widespread adoption and use of sustainable energy by providing support to industry professionals and by educating and motivating consumers to learn about, ask for, and adopt sustainable energy and green building practices. NESEA accomplishes this through its Building Energy conference and trade show, K-12 resources, an advocacy network, high profile public events such as the Tour de Sol and the Green Building Open House, its chapters and members, and its Sustainable Yellow Pages.
  • Town of Hamlin/Wind Towers: This page is dedicated to news and information regarding the possible development of large-scale wind-energy generation systems in the Town of Hamlin
  • Maple Ridge Wind Farm : Tug Hill, New York "Tug Hill is in many respects the ideal location for New York's largest wind energy project. This site consists of approximately 12,000 acres of hilltop pasture and feed-crop land at an average elevation of 1600-1800 feet. Tug Hill is an ancient geologic formation that lies just downwind of the eastern shore of Lake Ontario, separated from the Adirondacks to the east by the Black River Valley. At a maximum elevation of 2000 feet above sea level, the Tug Hill plateau experiences strong lake-effect weather patterns and has long been known for its exceptional wind resource."
  • Clean Energy States Alliance Eighteen states across the U.S. with established clean energy funds or programs have banded together to promote clean energy technologies. The Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) is a nonprofit organization comprised of members from 16 clean energy funds and two state agencies; it provides information and technical services to its members and works with them to build and expand clean energy markets in the United States.
  • Wind Energy Resource Center at Filters Fast "Wind energy is renewable energy that is harnessed from wind power. Wind turbines harness wind energy and use it to generate electricity. Small wind turbines help generate electricity for towns and even individual homes. Commercial wind turbines are usually part of wind farms that provide power to electric grids. In the United States during 2008, 1.3% of all electricity was generated from the wind. Texas, Iowa, California, Oklahoma, and Minnesota were the states that generated the most wind power in 2008. " --from Refrigerator Water Filter, Water Filter, Air Filter, Pool Filter, HVAC Filter, Filters Fast

 

Groups Against Wind Power in our area

Several local groups have formed to fight the placement of wind power in our area

 

Groups For Wind Power in our area

Several local groups have formed to support wind power in our area.

  • Yes! Wind Power for Cohocton Yes! Wind Power for Cohocton is a group of concerned citizens who support the UPC Wind Turbine Project proposed for our community. We are dedicated to presenting the truth and offering dialogue in order to provide the best information and considerations for our citizens and our community.
  • Advocates for Prattsburgh Our position is not against wind power, but against the inappropriate siting of these industrial wind towers.
  • Citizens for Wind Energy - Perry, NY It is our purpose to enjoin members of the public to support wind generated turbines through positive communication regarding the benefits of wind energy.
  • Wind Energy News "Global warming from CO2 is a problem faced by all on our planet earth.Wind Energy is a vast resource that will greatly reduce the impact of burning fossil fuels. Converting as little as 20 percent of potential wind energy to electricity could satisfy the entirety of the world's energy demands. Wind energy is growing fast for the following reasons: it is abundant, cheap, inexhaustible, widely distributed, clean and climate benign. No other energy source has this combination of attributes."
  • Alternative Energy Task Force of Wayne County
  • Maple Ridge Wind Farm : Tug Hill, New York "Why Tug Hill? Tug Hill is in many respects the ideal location for New York's largest wind energy project. This site consists of approximately 12,000 acres of hilltop pasture and feed-crop land at an average elevation of 1600-1800 feet. Tug Hill is an ancient geologic formation that lies just downwind of the eastern shore of Lake Ontario, separated from the Adirondacks to the east by the Black River Valley. At a maximum elevation of 2000 feet above sea level, the Tug Hill plateau experiences strong lake-effect weather patterns and has long been known for its exceptional wind resource."
  • Wind Action Group " Education - Develop information that will allow thoughtful, informed decisions on the future of wind power in our region, and offer an opportunity for all interested individuals and groups to fully express and explore their concerns; and Advocacy - Investigate issues relevant to developing wind energy in WNY, and advocate for and promote ways of developing Buffalo Niagara’s wind resource that maximize the benefits to the public. The Wind Action Group was formed by Buffalo's Green Gold Development Corporation, in collaboration with Erie County, and a number of other public and private organizations, based on a recommendation from Wind Energy Initiatives for Greater Buffalo. This study was produced by Masters of UrbanPlanning students under Dr. Ernest Sternberg of the UB School ofArchitecture & Planning."