Wind Development - Wind Energy Toolkit

The Wind Energy Toolkit is a resource for communities preparing for possible wind development. The decision to pursue the construction of a wind farm rests with each individual locality. Therefore, it is important that local officials become familiar with all aspects of wind development.

• Download the Wind Energy Toolkit

The reports and documents in this tool kit are intended to provide objective information necessary for anyone concerned with wind development in their community. The Wind Energy Toolkit contains information about the process for siting wind energy facilities in localities in the state and all of the considerations that go into the decision-making effort.
The tool kit is now available on CD. If you would like a copy, or you have comments or questions about wind, please contact Jeff Peterson at  jmp@nyserda.org

Additional Sources of Information

Local Planning

• Additional current local government plans, laws and technical documents from the Genesee Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council
• WindPower Facility Application and Regulations for the Town of Lebanon, Madison County, NY

New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) Interconnection Requirements

The NYISO is a not-for-profit corporation regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commision to manage New York's electricity transmission grid – a 10,775-mile network of high voltage lines.  It is governed by a 10-member Board of Directors whose members come from the power industry, environmental organizations, and the fields of finance, academia, technology, and communications. The members of the Board, as well as all employees, are independent; they have no business, financial, operating or other direct relationship to any Market Participant or stakeholder.
Under a unique form of shared governance, representatives from stakeholder groups discuss, debate and vote on issues directly affecting the NYISO’s operations, reliability and markets. The three committees – Management, Operating, and Business Issues – are supported by several subcommittees, which are made up of individuals from five major sectors of the marketplace: Transmission Owners, Generation Owners, Other Suppliers, End-Use Consumers, and Public Power and Environmental Parties.

• Visit the NYISO planning Web page

Land Acquisition

• Farmers’ Guide to Wind Energy: Legal Issues in Farming the Wind

General Information

From time to time wind turbine manufacturers issue service bulletins in relation to their products. GE Energy site contains information on "Ice Shedding and Ice Throw -- Risk and Mitigation," and "The Case for Wind, GE Energy's Perspective.

• Visit GE Energy's Wind Information Bulletins

The new Maple Ridge project on the Tug Hill Plateau is the largest wind farm on the East Coast, involving Lewis County and the Towns of Martinsburg, Harrisburg, Lowville, and Watson. As a key negotiator in reviewing, assessing, and finally seeing the project through to completion, attorney Richard Graham offers his insights, experience and thoughts about lessons learned.

• Read the full questions and answers with attorney Richard Graham

Environmental Stakeholder Roundtable on Wind Power: June 16, 2009

• Agenda
• Presentations:
  • Daniel A. Driscoll: Wind Roundtable Driscoll Presentation
  • NYSDEC Role in Wind Project Review
  • Jeff Deyette: The Role of Wind Power in Our Energy Future
  • Jim Newman: Comparative Wildlife Effects Presentation
  • Thomas Bourgeois: Impact of wind generation on CO2 emissions in New York State
  • Thomas E. Brown: Statement
• Consolidated Questions and Responses: NYSERDA requested that interested parties submit questions prior to the Roundtable. These questions were consolidated and provided to panel members for consideration as they prepared remarks. Responses to the questions are offered in the attached document. In most cases, people are directed to the Wind Toolkit of external sources that have more in-depth information.

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