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MONTPELIER, Vt.—A citizens' group opposed to a wind farm planned for Sheffield has appealed to the Vermont Supreme Court.

more stories like thisLawyers for Ridge Protectors argue that the Vermont Public Service Board, which approved the project in August, did not show how it would be an economic benefit to the state or its residents.

The board granted Massachusetts-based UPC Wind approval for 16 wind-power turbines on a ridge line in Sheffield, with 32 conditions, including noise limits from turbine operations and a UPC sponsored wildlife management plan.

WELLSBORO — The Tioga Preservation Group has filed an appeal in Tioga County Court to try to block plans to construct a wind farm with more than 120 turbines on Armenia Mountain starting in the spring.

The appeal was filed by the group Jan. 17, asking that the judge “nullify” the preliminary conditional approval granted to AES Armenia Mountain Wind LLC, by the Tioga County Planning Commission Dec. 12, group member Frank Piccolella said.

Nearly a dozen environmental groups are suing the federal Department of Energy, accusing it of harming the environment, not doing its homework and not complying with federal laws. At issue is the designation of a high-transmission electricity corridor that has raised the ire of environmentalists and green-power supporters, including Lt. Gov. John Carney.

The District Attorney, New York State Inspector General and the New York State Attorney General have started investigations related to members of the Burke Town Council and its wind ordinance, and similar issues across New York State. My office is currently examining concerns brought to my attention," Franklin County District Attorney Derek Champagne said. "The State Inspector General has asked to have information forwarded to her office." Complaints of impropriety caught the attention of the District Attorney. "A number of citizens have contacted my office regarding Burke and other towns and their wind energy regulations," Champagne said. "Because of the on-going investigation, I really can't comment on specifics." Champagne and Assistant Attorney Glenn MacNeill attended a meeting in New York City on Thursday to discuss the issue with state officials. ...Residents in Burke have raised questions about the ethics of town board members regarding their actions on the proposed ordinance regulating wind power.

"It's clear from a careful reading of the reports by UPC Wind and the two independent sound experts, including MEDEP's own consultant, that the methodologies employed by UPC Wind to predict sound levels and in surveying sound at the operating wind plant were flawed," said IWA Executive Director Lisa Linowes.

The Steuben County Supreme Court, by Decision dated January 9, 2008 has made a ruling in the Town of Cohocton wind turbine case.

In the matters of Cohocton Wind Watch and James Hall et al. against Canandaigua Power Partners et al, and two related cases, acting Supreme Court Justice Marianne Furfure has determined that with one exception in one case, the petitioners in each of the three pending lawsuits have standing to proceed with the actions. In addition, Judge Furfure denied the respondents' motion to dismiss the cases, finding that the petitioners did not violate the stature of limitations and that the petitioners did not fail to exhaust their administrative remedies by not appealing a decision of the Town's Code Enforcement Officer to the Town's Zoning Board of Appeals. Finally, Judge Furfure declared that all of the individual property owners whose lands are to be a part of the wind turbine projects are necessary parties to the actions.

Judge Furfure has given the petitioners additional time to serve some of the landowners with copies of the petition in the actions, and has given counsel for the respondents sixty days in which to serve their answers to the petitions upon counsel for the petitioners.

Dated: January 10, 2008

David P. Miller
111 N. Main St.
Naples, NY 14512

(585) 374-2130