february 2004 We began holding public forums in the Hilltowns of western Albany County. The first two forums were held at the Knox Reformed Church, in February and November of 2004. We also held a field trip to the Fenner Wind Farm, to allow people to experience first-hand what utility-scale wind turbines are like.
early 2005 We applied for and were granted funds from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority(NYSERDA) to work on predevelopment activites for a community wind project in rural Albany county. The Statement of Work for this proposal includes finding suitable sites for a community-owned project, conducting a resource assessment for the site, forming a community wind focus group, doing environmental work for the project, and writing a business prospectus. The prospectus will be used by a community group to seek the financing that will be necessary to actually construct the project. The emphasis is on a utility-scale wind project that is modest in size (10 MW or less) and owned by a community-based group, such as a local LLC or a municipality.
2005- march 2006 Additional public meetings were held in Knox (at the Octagon Barn), Renselaerville (at Conkling Hall and at the Huyck Preserve) and Berne (at the First Reformed Church).
november 6, 2005 A community focus group was formed. Members of the greater Hilltown community were invited to become members of this group that would begin to study in detail the issues associated with a community owned wind project. A list of issues that those at the meeting identified as being important or of concern to the community was compiled and this list formed the basis for future meetings of the focus group.
january 22, 2006 An overview of the site prospecting work was presented.
february 12, 2006 A site for the wind resource assessment was selected based upon community input.
august 8, 2006 We began the permitting phase for the meteorological tower, which will be sited in Knox. A presentation was made at the Knox Town Board's monthly meeting at their request . This was to provide the Board and any interested community members information relative to the project. An overall project description and detailed information about the next steps in the project were presented. A representative from NYSERDA was also present at this meeting.
* held local presentations and forums *organized field trip to Fenner Wind Farm*applied for and received NYSERDA grant*formed community focus group *circulated survey on community attitudes toward wind energy *developed list of potential sites*measured resource at specific site *began assessment of potential negative impacts *assessed potential benefits*began work on business prospectus