Let's interrupt the series of 3 ( 1, 2, 3, for those with counting issues) stories about Pickens' latest plan to make oodles of (more) cash off his Natural Gas and Wind holdings (one of which I had tried to respond to, but unfortunately it appear this site has comment moderation on, and my comment has not been approved yet)with some real news.

A month ago, NYS Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced that an official investigation has been opened with regards to the tactics used by First Wind/UPC Wind and Noble Environmental Power in getting their turbines placed in New York.

TITLE....Establishes the New York state task force on wind generating facilities siting and permitting policies

04/19/07 REFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
01/09/08 REFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SUMMARY:

ALESI, FLANAGAN, MORAHAN, PADAVAN, RATH, SEWARD, YOUNG
Establishes the New York state task force on wind generating facilities siting and permitting policies to study the need to implement a uniform statewide policy regarding the siting and permitting of wind energy production facilities; further establishes an 18 month moratorium upon the siting and permitting of wind energy production facilities; repeals such provisions effective December 31, 2008.

January 31, 2008

Dear Local Government Official:

As you may know, two bills have been introduced in the state Legislature that would re-authorize Article X of the Public Service Law which is designed to streamline the siting review and approval process for major electric generating facilities. (A brief summary of the proposed provisions is shown on Page 2). Wind farm projects that meet certain thresholds established for power plants are included in these proposals, with the process governed by a statewide siting board.

The New York Legislature ended its regular session Friday without passing legislation that would allow expedited siting of power plants. Utilities, power producers and the New York Independent System Operator have said the measure is needed to attract investment in plants and avoid electricity shortages.

The legislature could possibly take up the matter again as early as July, when he expects lawmakers will reconvene for a limited, special session. At issue is the Article X law, which provided a single process for obtaining all permits, and guaranteed a one-year limit to the review process. Article X also gave the state authority to override local objections to plants.

WASHINGTON The landmark U.S. law to fight water pollution will now apply only to bodies of water large enough for boats to use, and their adjacent wetlands, and will not automatically protect streams, the U.S. government said on Tuesday.

Environmental groups said they fear the new policy will muddy the purpose of the federal Clean Water Act and put many smaller bodies of water at risk. Democrats in Congress have introduced legislation mandating protection of creeks, estuaries and other watersheds.

I have obtained a copy of Bethany's "final" wind report. You can download it at http://www.effierover.com/downloads/ReportFinal.pdf

Don't know at this time if the town will offer it on their website (they usually do) or what the general reaction is.

FAIRFIELD - Attorneys representing the towns of Fairfield and Norway and wind energy company Atlantic Renewable are in the midst of working on completing a draft environmental impact statement in connection with the proposed windmill project in the towns.

Attorney Bernard Mewlewski of Saratoga, representing the towns in the matter, said taking public comments on any environmental concerns is part of the process.

The committee is writing their preliminary report to be presented to the Planning Board. The intent is to prove the work done so far in order to approve an extension to the moratorium. This is needed in order to collect more facts.

HARTSVILLE - Billionaire Tom Golisano is back in the wind game.

Steve Dombert - a frequent critic of the planned Airtricity development - Friday said Golisano has formed a new company and hired an engineer to develop community-based wind farms.

“We’re going to rejoin the battle,” Dombert said of the formation of Empire State Wind Energy.

Golisano first joined the wind debate while exploring a run for New York governor, then became involved with a community-based wind farm project in Perry. He also visited Hartsville and had considered lending his considerable financial support to development of a wind farm there.

MONTPELIER, Vt. -- The developer of a wind project that has been rejected by the Vermont Public Service Board says wind power has no future in Vermont right now.

"Wind power in Vermont is dead," Matthew Rubin said in an interview on Vermont Public Radio Wednesday.

Rubin said his opinion was based on findings and decisions by the board and the administration of Gov. Jim Douglas, who has said he was opposed to industrial wind turbines on Vermont's ridge lines.