Wind farm implementing Earth Day ideals

The 40th anniversary of Earth Day is a timely reminder that Acciona Energy's St. Lawrence Wind Farm is a local opportunity to act on Earth Day's global ideals.

The St. Lawrence Wind Farm will provide for the annual electricity needs of up to 26,500 homes with clean renewable power. Through avoided emissions, the project is estimated to result in annual reductions of approximately 138 tons of nitrogen oxides, 391 tons of sulfur dioxide and substantial quantities of other pollutants.

In addition, the project will offset approximately 92,697 tons of carbon dioxide greenhouse gases annually. By offsetting air pollutants and greenhouse gases, the project will provide significant benefits to environmental resources and human health.

In the case of St. Lawrence Wind Farm, being earth friendly is also good for local economic development.The project will provide valuable payments to participating landowners, will significantly increase property tax revenue for local tax jurisdictions and will create more than 150 temporary and six to eight permanent jobs.

Acciona Energy is grateful for the opportunity to work with the residents of Jefferson County to act on Earth Day's ideals and, in the process, contribute to local economic development.

Tim Conboy

Cape Vincent

The writer is project development manager St. Lawrence Wind Farm ACCIONA Energy North America.