Wind Farms: Local Planning and Zoning Issues
Is The Topic of the Cattaraugus County Planning Board Annual Meeting
- News Release from the Cattaraugus County Department of Economic Development Planning & Tourism
- Contact: (716) 938-9111 ext. 2369
- Released: May 19, 2006
The Cattaraugus County Planning Board will hold its Annual Meeting on June 14, 2006 at the Randolph Volunteer Firemen's Reception Hall, 70 Main Street, Randolph, New York. Daniel A. Spitzer, Esq., Partner, Hodgson Russ LLP, Buffalo, New York, will be the Keynote Speaker.
In September of 2004, the New York State Public Service Commission adopted a renewable energy policy called a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) that is designed to increase the amount of electricity generated from renewable resources in New York State. The RPS goal, to be reached by the end of 2013, is to increase the proportion of electricity sold to consumers that is generated from renewable resources from its current level of 19% to 25%. Renewable resources in the RPS include wind, solar, hydroelectric, biomass, biogas, and ocean or tidal power. Wind power is the fastest growing of these alternative energy sources.
Cattaraugus County is considered to have a high potential for wind farm development. In fact, wind studies are currently underway in several Towns across the County. The results of those studies will determine the feasibility for wind farms in those Towns. Planning and zoning issues associated with these large-scale developments need to be addressed now to assure that sound land use principles are followed.
Mr. Spitzer, as Keynote Speaker, will discuss the planning and zoning issues associated with large-scale wind farm development. He brings vast experience to the discussion, as he concentrates his practice in a variety of issues affecting municipalities such as zoning, land use conflicts, requirements of the State Environmental Quality Review Act, complying with historic preservation guidelines, and other matters.
The meeting will begin at 5:00 pm with registration and Hors d'oeuvres, followed at 6:00 pm by the Annual Dinner (buffet at a cost of $14.00 per person), the Keynote Speaker at 7:00 pm and adjournment at 8:30 pm. Reservations are required and can be made through Margaret Puszcz, Stenographic Secretary, at 938-9111 Ext. 2312.