Towns discuss wind projects

HAMMOND — Meetings to discuss proposed wind energy laws in Hammond and Morristown on Wednesday ended with more questions than answers.

Questions about health risks, the effect on property values and benefits to the town were asked over and over again, before the silent town boards.

"There's so much information right now," Hammond board member Ronald E. Tully III said. "There's hard evidence that can go either way."

The facts are that the two towns are part of a wind corridor that stretches into Oswegatchie and each has been working toward a wind energy law that suits its needs.

Morristown has been trying to put the horse before the cart with its proceedings.

"The point is, they are talking to the east and west," Morristown Wind Energy Committee Chairman Peter A. Paquette said. "We want to be ahead of the game."

Although PPM Energy of Portland, Ore., which is part of the Spanish company Iberdrola SA, gave a presentation at a town meeting several years ago, the town of Morristown has not been approached formally by any companies yet, said L. Kay Davis, code enforcement officer for the town.

In Hammond, however, many feel the horse is now desperately trying to catch up.

Since 2005, PPM Energy has tested wind speed in Hammond. There is a test tower along county Route 6, and plans to install two more have stalled because of a moratorium, which recently expired.

If there was a consensus at the meeting in Hammond Wednesday, it was to renew the moratorium.

About 50 people were packed into the Hammond Library for the meeting. Copies of the 30-page proposed law were passed out and more than 10 people spoke, expressing a broad range of opinions.

"I'm for (wind energy), but I agree with the moratorium," one person said. "We don't have the info we need and there are potential pitfalls."

Board members mostly were quiet, although they tried to answer as many questions as they could.

Two board members have recused themselves for conflicts of interest, and at least one resident, William F. Hadlock, said he has been offered money by Iberdrola for an option to lease his land.

He said that about seven other residents have been contacted as well. Paul C. Copelman, a communications manager with Iberdrola, said that the company had contacted several residents and that obtaining options to lease land was a typical part of the early stages of development.

Mr. Hadlock, along with a few others in the town, said he wants the board to move forward with the law as fast as possible.

"Sure they might still be around later," Mr. Hadlock said. "But they'll have signed with someplace else."

Mr. Tully said the next step for the board will be a fact-finding mission.

"We need to step back and evaluate the concerns," he said. "I have no opposition for the moratorium, but I need to confer with my constituents."

There will be a meeting in Hammond at 7:30 p.m. Monday to discuss the law and possibly extend the moratorium.