Acting Locally-Impacting Globally

Alternative Energy in Wayne County Is our future in the wind?

The Alternative Energy Task Force of Wayne County Wind Power Technology and Siting Issues

Presentation Outline i. About the Alternative Energy Task Force ii. New York’s Current Energy Mix iii. Why Wind Power? iv. Community Concerns and Siting Issues v. Conclusion i. About the Alternative Energy Task Force ii. New York’s Current Energy Mix iii. Why Wind Power? iv. Community Concerns and Siting Issues v. Conclusion

About The Alternative Energy Task Force of Wayne County

The Alternative Energy Task Force of Wayne County Formed in 2006 as a not-for-profit organization. Based in Lyons, New York. Comprised of local community members. Our Mission Statement: Formed in 2006 as a not-for-profit organization. Based in Lyons, New York. Comprised of local community members. Our Mission Statement:

“Our mission is to determine ways to deploy alternative energy solutions in the Wayne County area that will benefit our communities. Our goals include reducing and controlling costs, fostering cooperation and promoting economic growth.”

Activities:Activities: Advocate for clean energy at the local, New York State Legislative, and US Congressional levels. Actively educate opinion leaders and the public about the benefits of clean energy. Promote alternative solutions to Municipal, School and public/private entities (i.e. Sodus, Newark School districts, Sodus Village Water, Community Wind Project, Parker-Hannafin (Lyons). Serve as the leading voice for clean energy through the media and informational website. Serve as a conduit for “Green” business opportunities for our region through networking activities and ongoing communications. Communicate and affiliate with like minded organizations to enhance our knowledge and understanding, and to strengthen our ability to promote alternative energy solutions (i.e. ACENY). Advocate for clean energy at the local, New York State Legislative, and US Congressional levels. Actively educate opinion leaders and the public about the benefits of clean energy. Promote alternative solutions to Municipal, School and public/private entities (i.e. Sodus, Newark School districts, Sodus Village Water, Community Wind Project, Parker-Hannafin (Lyons). Serve as the leading voice for clean energy through the media and informational website. Serve as a conduit for “Green” business opportunities for our region through networking activities and ongoing communications. Communicate and affiliate with like minded organizations to enhance our knowledge and understanding, and to strengthen our ability to promote alternative energy solutions (i.e. ACENY).

ii. New York’s Current Generation Mix ii. New York’s Current Generation Mix

Information courtesy of ACENY

Impacts of Current Generating Practices Sulfur Dioxide "Acid rain” Carbon Dioxide " Global warming” Nitrogen Dioxide " Smog” Health Impacts " Asthma,Mercury poisoning, etc.” Safety and Security Concerns Sulfur Dioxide "Acid rain” Carbon Dioxide " Global warming” Nitrogen Dioxide " Smog” Health Impacts " Asthma,Mercury poisoning, etc.” Safety and Security Concerns Information courtesy of ACENY

NYS Coal Power Plants NYS Coal - Air pollution: * 19,772,092 tons of carbon dioxide (climate change) * 25,379 tons of nitrogen oxides (smog) * 121,160 tons of sulfur dioxides (acid rain) * 762 pounds of mercury (neurological damage) 60 percent of mercury in Northeast comes from regional sources NYS Coal Power Plants NYS Coal - Air pollution: * 19,772,092 tons of carbon dioxide (climate change) * 25,379 tons of nitrogen oxides (smog) * 121,160 tons of sulfur dioxides (acid rain) * 762 pounds of mercury (neurological damage) 60 percent of mercury in Northeast comes from regional sources Information courtesy of ACENY

Today’s Reality NYS Oil Power Plants 12 percent of NYS electricity comes from oil- fired power plants * 32 million barrels of oil per year * 87 percent from foreign sources * 10.6 million tons of CO2 (climate change) * 46,000 tons of SO2 (acid rain) * 12,000 tons of NOX (smog) NYS Oil Power Plants 12 percent of NYS electricity comes from oil- fired power plants * 32 million barrels of oil per year * 87 percent from foreign sources * 10.6 million tons of CO2 (climate change) * 46,000 tons of SO2 (acid rain) * 12,000 tons of NOX (smog) NYS Nuclear Power Plants 29 percent of NYS electricity comes from 6 nuclear power plants * Still no viable means of disposal * Security presents safety and cost issue NYS Nuclear Power Plants 29 percent of NYS electricity comes from 6 nuclear power plants * Still no viable means of disposal * Security presents safety and cost issue Information courtesy of ACENY

Cost to Ratepayers of Imported Fuels for Electricity – 2004 (8.7 billion total) Fuel Type Amount Used Cost $ Coal 10.3 million tons $561 million Oil 31.4 million barrels $1.7 billion Electricity 18.8 billion kilowatt hours $2.3 billion Natural Gas 241 billion decatherms $2.1 billion Information courtesy of ACENY

NY Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) NY State policy goal of 25 percent renewable electricity by 2013 established by Governor Pataki and the NYS PSC Currently percent - mostly from hydropower Environmental benefits: * Improved air quality: 5 – 7 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides (smog), sulfur dioxides (acid rain) and carbon dioxide (climate change). * Avoided resource use. Every kilowatt of wind power will displace coal, oil, or gas generated electricity. NY Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) NY State policy goal of 25 percent renewable electricity by 2013 established by Governor Pataki and the NYS PSC Currently percent - mostly from hydropower Environmental benefits: * Improved air quality: 5 – 7 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides (smog), sulfur dioxides (acid rain) and carbon dioxide (climate change). * Avoided resource use. Every kilowatt of wind power will displace coal, oil, or gas generated electricity. Information courtesy of ACENY

iii. iii.Why Wind Power?

Global Cumulative Installed Capacity Global Cumulative Installed Capacity Wind Power is Growing Worldwide 1. Germany: 18,428 MW 2. Spain: 10,027 MW 3. USA: 9,149 MW 4. India: 4,430 MW 5. Denmark: 3,122 MW Wind Power is Growing Worldwide 1. Germany: 18,428 MW 2. Spain: 10,027 MW 3. USA: 9,149 MW 4. India: 4,430 MW 5. Denmark: 3,122 MW Global Capacity Has Increased By 25 Percent Last Year Alone!

Why Wind Power? Emissions Free * No Pollution Fuel Free *Energy Independence Predictable Price *Not subject to outside factors Economic Development Tool Why Wind Power? Emissions Free * No Pollution Fuel Free *Energy Independence Predictable Price *Not subject to outside factors Economic Development Tool Information courtesy of ACENY

Job growth from wind power * Temporary (construction) and full-time (operation and maintenance) positions come from wind farms * For every turbines installed, one operation-and maintenance job is created * In addition to direct jobs created, projects also support job creation within the community through the provision of goods and services (ex. lodging, meals, supplies, etc.) * Phase I of the Maple Ridge project (120 turbines) created 400 construction jobs. When entirely finished in 2006 with 195 turbines, the project will create full-time jobs Job growth from wind power * Temporary (construction) and full-time (operation and maintenance) positions come from wind farms * For every turbines installed, one operation-and maintenance job is created * In addition to direct jobs created, projects also support job creation within the community through the provision of goods and services (ex. lodging, meals, supplies, etc.) * Phase I of the Maple Ridge project (120 turbines) created 400 construction jobs. When entirely finished in 2006 with 195 turbines, the project will create full-time jobs Information courtesy of ACENY

Other economic benefits * Wind power operating costs are relatively fixed. * Wind power fixed prices help keep other prices lower during electric price increases * Supplemental income to landowners, frequently farmers, in the form of lease payments * Keeps energy dollars in state: currently 5 percent of power generated in state comes from fossil fuels purchased out of state Other economic benefits * Wind power operating costs are relatively fixed. * Wind power fixed prices help keep other prices lower during electric price increases * Supplemental income to landowners, frequently farmers, in the form of lease payments * Keeps energy dollars in state: currently 5 percent of power generated in state comes from fossil fuels purchased out of state Information courtesy of ACENY

Economic Development Wind farms bring economic development to communities through Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs) In Madison County for instance: * $150,000 per year is paid to the Town of Fenner * $60,000 per year is paid to Town of Madison and school district Other business developments receive property tax breaks: from (IDAs) and other governmental entities: * utility plants, * manufacturing facilities, and * non-profit organizations Economic Development Wind farms bring economic development to communities through Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs) In Madison County for instance: * $150,000 per year is paid to the Town of Fenner * $60,000 per year is paid to Town of Madison and school district Other business developments receive property tax breaks: from (IDAs) and other governmental entities: * utility plants, * manufacturing facilities, and * non-profit organizations Information courtesy of ACENY

iv. Community Concerns & Siting Issues iv. Community Concerns & Siting Issues

Aesthetics Beauty is in eye of beholder: "Some see “kinetic art” "Some see “industrial giants” Turbines generally viewed from significant distance Layout of wind farm can mitigate viewshed impact Aesthetics Beauty is in eye of beholder: "Some see “kinetic art” "Some see “industrial giants” Turbines generally viewed from significant distance Layout of wind farm can mitigate viewshed impact

Information courtesy of ACENY

Shadow Flicker Sun low in sky; sunbeam interrupted by rotating turbine blade *Seasonally dependent Ice Shedding *Small pieces of ice may be thrown; larger pieces typically drop within blade length from tower – not Thrown *Worldwide—no case of injury known Shadow Flicker Sun low in sky; sunbeam interrupted by rotating turbine blade *Seasonally dependent Ice Shedding *Small pieces of ice may be thrown; larger pieces typically drop within blade length from tower – not Thrown *Worldwide—no case of injury known Information courtesy of ACENY

Minimizing Impacts Noise, shadow flicker and ice shedding issues can all be minimized by proper setbacks and turbine siting. Minimizing Impacts Noise, shadow flicker and ice shedding issues can all be minimized by proper setbacks and turbine siting.

Property Value Impacts: Bard Center for Environmental Policy study, May, 2006: ” The report finds no measurable effects of windmill visibility on property values.” Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP) study, May, 2003: “The statistical analysis of all property sales in the view shed and the comparable community provides no evidence that wind development has harmed property values within the view shed. There is no valid empirical support for claims that wind development will harm property values.” Phoenix Economic Development Group study, October, 2002: “Views of wind turbines will not negatively impact property values. Based on a nation-wide survey conducted of tax assessors in … areas with wind power projects, we found no evidence supporting the claim that views of wind farms decrease property values.” Property Value Impacts: Bard Center for Environmental Policy study, May, 2006: ” The report finds no measurable effects of windmill visibility on property values.” Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP) study, May, 2003: “The statistical analysis of all property sales in the view shed and the comparable community provides no evidence that wind development has harmed property values within the view shed. There is no valid empirical support for claims that wind development will harm property values.” Phoenix Economic Development Group study, October, 2002: “Views of wind turbines will not negatively impact property values. Based on a nation-wide survey conducted of tax assessors in … areas with wind power projects, we found no evidence supporting the claim that views of wind farms decrease property values.”

v. Conclusions

Adding wind power to New York’s electric grid offers substantial benefits, particularly to rural NY communities. While there are siting issues to be considered, all are surmountable. Early public education, dialogue and involvement are essential to successful projects. Adding wind power to New York’s electric grid offers substantial benefits, particularly to rural NY communities. While there are siting issues to be considered, all are surmountable. Early public education, dialogue and involvement are essential to successful projects. Information courtesy of ACENY

Resources Alliance for Clean Energy New York American Wind Energy Association National Wind Coordinating Committee Resources Alliance for Clean Energy New York American Wind Energy Association National Wind Coordinating Committee

Wayne County can become 40-50% green county by 2013 with your help! Acting Locally-Impacting Globally Wayne County can become 40-50% green county by 2013 with your help! Acting Locally-Impacting Globally