Flat Rock Wind Power Project Awarded NYSERDA Grant
Press Release: Gov. Pataki Announces $17 Million for Five State Wind Farms.
August 20, 2002
STATE OF NEW YORK
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
GEORGE E. PATAKI, GOVERNOR
Press Office
518-474-8418
212-681-4640
http://www.state.ny.us
FOR RELEASE:
IMMEDIATE, Tuesday
August 20, 2002
GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES $17 MILLION FOR FIVE STATE WIND FARMS 315 Megawatts of New Capacity Will Boost Energy Security and Protect Environment
Governor George E. Pataki today announced that the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will provide more than $17 million to support the development of five wind farms throughout upstate New York. The wind farms will add 315 megawatts of electric capacity to the power grid without contributing any emissions. The total value of the five wind farms is estimated at more than $375 million.
Local land owners and municipalities in the primarily rural areas of the State where the farms will be developed will benefit economically through new jobs and direct payments for land leases to accommodate the wind turbines.
"These wind farms and our aggressive approach to developing indigenous renewable resources are emblematic of New York State's commitment to protecting the environment and preserving our natural resources for future generations," Governor Pataki said. "Clean energy technologies like wind farms will help New York State and the nation accommodate the growing demand for electricity in an environmentally responsible manner that avoids air pollution. Wind power has the added benefit of diversifying the energy mix that powers the Empire State and boosting energy security by reducing our need for imported energy."
Once operational, the five wind farms will generate enough electricity to power as many as 315,000 homes. At the same time, the wind farms will avoid annual emissions of more than 650 tons of nitrogen oxides, 1,300 tons of sulfur dioxide, and 400,000 tons of carbon dioxide; or about the equivalent of removing 80,000 cars from the State's roadways. With most of these projects, there is the potential to expand the sites to add a total of more than 100 megawatts of additional capacity in the future.
NYSERDA President William M. Flynn said, "New York State can potentially develop thousands of megawatts of wind power within our borders, and these projects represent a significant step in that direction. These new wind farms may also help State-owned facilities comply with Governor Pataki's executive order for procuring 10 percent of their power from renewable resources by 2005 and 20 percent by 2010."
State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty said, "New York State is a national leader in the development and use of clean energy technologies, helping to reduce pollution, improve air quality and protect public health and our environment. The effort to support wind farms is another example of Governor Pataki's commitment to increasing New York's use of renewable energy, which is essential to making significant reductions in harmful emissions."
PSC Chairman Maureen O. Helmer said, "These green energy projects are the kinds of positive initiatives the Commission contemplated in approving the Systems Benefits Charge to jump start renewable investment in the energy sector. All New Yorkers win because such projects attract investment in the State, add significantly to our energy mix while minimizing impacts on our environment, and increase competition in the wholesale market to help hold down wholesale energy prices."
The wind industry is becoming increasingly popular and competitive in New York State. Once constructed, wind turbines have very little impact on existing land use practices and can readily co-exist with dairy and other farming activities in the predominantly rural communities where they are being constructed. As evidence of the growing interest in wind in New
York, the five projects receiving funding were selected through a competitive process that saw nine proposals submitted to NYSERDA by seven different companies seeking to develop more than 450 megawatts of new wind capacity.
NYSERDA will award the $17 million pending successful negotiations with each of the 5 developers and upon completion of the site development. The selected projects include:
1. $5 million for Atlantic Renewable Energy Corporation (AREC) to develop a 100- megawatt wind farm in Lewis County. The project entails installing as many as 68 wind turbines that are rated at 1.5 megawatts each.
2. $4.5 million for Global Wind Harvest, Inc. to develop a 75-megawatt wind farm in Steuben and Yates Counties. This project will use as many as 50 wind turbines rated at 1.5 megawatts each.
3. $3.1 million for York WindPower, Inc. to construct and operate a 51-megawatt wind farm in Chautauqua County. York WindPower will install as many as 34 1.5- megawatt wind turbines for this project.
4. $2.5 million for Global Winds Harvest, Inc. to develop a 40.5-megawatt wind farm in Otsego County. For this project, as many as 27 wind turbines rated at 1.5 megawatts each will be installed.
5. $2 million for Zilkha Renewable Energy to develop a 50-megawatt wind farm in Erie County. As many as 34 1.5-megawatt wind turbines will be installed to complete this project.
NYSERDA previously provided $5 million to Canastota Windpower and $2 million to PG&E National Energy Group to construct and operate wind farms in the Towns of Fenner and Madison (Madison County) respectively. These two farms currently generate a total of 41.5 megawatts of electricity, with the farm in the Town of Fenner, which is currently the largest on the East Coast, generating 30 megawatts.
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