Farm land perfect for wind-energy developers

By SUZANNE MOORE, Staff Writer

PLATTSBURGH — Completing a wind-farm project takes between three and five years.

"One of the first things you have to do," said Zilkha Renewable Energy Director of Development Patrick Doyle, "is to confirm you have a good wind source."

Zilkha is one of a number of wind-energy developers that have targeted areas in the towns of Ellenburg and Clinton for a project.

The firm began gathering wind data from meteorological towers last fall. And it has taken options to lease properties on both sides of the 230 KB line that runs more or less along the town line between Ellenburg and Clinton.

"We’re in a central, windy location," Doyle said.

The project would produce power that would be fed into that line. Zilkha has applied to the New York Independent System Operator to make the connection from a maximum 80 towers.

Not yet set in stone, the final design could include wind towers in both Ellenburg and Clinton or in just one town or the other.

Zilkha is pursuing projects in five regions of the United States, in a total 12 states.

"The main areas of interest to us are western New York and the North Country," Doyle said. "These are areas where there’s a significant farming presence, so there are lots of open fields, which are conducive to wind energy."

Zilkha is still conducting studies to confirm the wind-energy potential in the North Country.

Once in hand, that data is used to decide where to place the towers.

"A very important part of that is sufficient setbacks from roads, residences, wetlands ..." Doyle said.

There are no plans to erect windmills in the Adirondack Park, he added.

Review of the preliminary layout takes place with state agencies and from an engineering perspective. Then the firm takes an even closer look at environmental impact and begins to fine-tune its plan.

"And at that point, we look at the permitting process," Doyle said.

"The New York Power Authority and System Operator have to be satisfied the project will operate reliably within the (power) grid."

Several meetings on the project would take place to invite public input, Doyle said.

He said it’s "reasonably likely" that two of the companies now scouting out the Ellenburg/Clinton area will combine forces for the project.

"We’re open to that," he said.

Six weeks ago, Zilkha broke ground on the Maple Ridge Wind Farm on Lewis County’s Tug Hill.

Formerly called Flat Rock, the project took six years to get off the ground, Doyle said; its first phase should be operational sometime this year with another to follow in 2006.

Before long, Zilkha will be acquired by Goldman Sachs, an investment bank "that has a significant interest in power generation," said Doyle.

He doesn’t anticipate the change in leadership will alter plans in the North Country.

Zilkha will shortly be sending out a newsletter to residents of both Ellenburg and Clinton, updating them on the process.

It was this developer that hosted last fall’s tour of wind farms in Madison County, which it doesn’t own and didn’t develop but felt offered a good look at such a system.

Soon, said Doyle, a visit to the under-construction Maple Ridge project will likely be offered.

He expressed approval for the cautious approach North Country towns are taking to this new venture.

"They’re open, but they’re asking the questions.

"It’s appropriate that town officials take the time they need to get comfortable and acquire information on wind development."