2006

FOR RELEASE:       Immediate
CONTACT:              Jean Donovan at 1-866-NYSERDA,
                              ext. 3516 or jmd@nyserda.org

PILOT PROGRAM TO HELP LOCALITIES ADDRESS WIND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT OFFERED BY NYSERDA
Regional Planning Councils Will Provide Increased Technical and Educational Services to Local Governments as a Result of Pilot Program

Albany, NY  (June 22, 2006) - A one-year pilot program to support the State's regional planning councils in their efforts to assist municipalities with land use issues related to wind energy development is being funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

Peter R. Smith, President and CEO of NYSERDA states, "Wind project development is a recent advancement that localities have had to contend with; and often local governments do not have the resources to adequately address land use issues associated with the development. NYSERDA is offering a pilot program to train and assist regional planning councils so that they can provide information and assistance to local municipalities that face zoning and planning issues associated with wind project development."

New York has many geographic regions that have the requisite resources for wind development, and municipalities that become home to these projects face several challenges. They must deal with siting and logistics related to large construction projects; understand this new technology and its development in their community; as well as contend with procedural and related land use issues.

While some wind development information is available to localities, such as the "Tool Kit" on NYSERDA's www.powernaturally.org website, many municipalities seek direct assistance and information from New York's regional planning councils. This assistance is required as many planning, zoning, and other town boards responsible for making land use decisions lack the staff and needed educational materials to make informed decisions on this important matter. NYSERDA's  pilot program will provide technical training and assistance to planning councils so that they may better provide wind energy information and assistance to municipal boards, elected officials, industrial development agencies, code enforcement offices, and other municipal staff. The end result will allow regional planning councils to be more responsive to the needs of municipalities and provide them with up-to-date, reliable, and accurate information on wind development.

The first meeting and workshop for regional planning councils on wind issues was held in April of 2006 in Albany.

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