Cohocton Officials Blow Off Landowners

Cohocton landowners who have leased their land to FirstWind (the windfarm developer) will have to start complaining to someone new. The Cohocton Town Board has announced via press release that they will no longer be answering complaints regarding the wind farm from people who have entered lease agreements with the developer.

The decision primarily stems from the complaints of Hal Graham, who leased his property to FirstWind and has been very vocal, and has filed complaints with the Code Enforcement Officer, the Town Board, state elected officials, and FirstWind itself.

Did Graham honestly believe that the wind turbine(s) placed on his property would play "Bali Ha'i" during the day, remain silent at night, and emit the sweet smell of lavender? Of course not. His best recourse now would be to take his royalties from FirstWind and use them as a down payment for land in Hartsville or Prattsburgh, two towns who are watching the circus in Cohocton unfold very carefully.

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Reason #245 to Oppose Wind Farms

A wind farm tower in Altona, New York collapsed on Friday, forcing Noble Environmental Power officials to shut down the entire farm. There were no reports of injuries and the cause is yet unknown (but I suspect high winds). Nearby residents report hearing what sounded like a loud explosion around 9:30am. Courtesy of the Associated Press.

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Wind Farm Developer Threatens Lawsuit

Prasttsburgh officials denied a building permit to EcoGen, a wind farm developer trying to start a project in the town. This move follows in the footprints of the Town of Hartsville, which just set a one-year moratorium on development by E.ON. in their town. Both of these moves have everything to do with recent complaints from Cohocton residents, who have been describing the noise generated from their new turbines as "unbearable" and "like a jet engine".

EcoGen claims that the permitting process is actually just a courtesy and not required by law. John Leyden, Prattsburg Town Attorney, claimed that EcoGen wanted the permit (or a permit waiver) at the conclusion of the Town meeting, otherwise they would file suit against the town. That's not exactly the way to gain favor with the town's residents.

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Hartsville Board Blocks Windmill Project

Bob Clark of the Hornell Evening Tribune reports that the Hartsville Town Board has issued a moratorium on any wind project development. The move is a sound one by the Board, who have now ensured that German developer E.ON doesn't circumvent the town's interests in the project.

E.ON has prepared and presented a draft Environmental Impact Study and presented it to the Board. The one year moratorium will provide the Board and the Town's residents ample time to review the study. Also of concern, the Board noted, were the possible ramifications of property value drops due to wind farm construction.

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