AES Updates Somerset Planning Board

Town of Somerset Planning Board had their monthly meeting on April 13th, and in attendance was Gary Edwards of AES Somerset. Mr. Edwards was there to give an update on AES activities to the planning board.
The first item discussed was the two towers that AES has up to monitor wind activity in the Town for a possible windmill farm that AES Corporation is considering. The permits for the towers will expire in September and need to be renewed if AES wants to continue studying the wind.
Mr. Edwards was asked about the status of Windmill Farm being considered by AES. He said that AES is partnering with a company called ACCIONA on wind projects across the Country. AES priorities currently have AES working on wind projects in Texas and on two Windmill farm projects in New York State. One is at Marble River in Clinton County and the other at WETKILL in Madison County.
When asked about plans for building a wind farm here in Somerset, Edwards said, the company is still studying it and “No project has been approved or sent to the (AES) Executive Board for approval”
When asked about sharing current wind data being collected and sent to their partner ACCIONA, Edwards said that was proprietary information of AES and could not be shared. Edwards and the planning Board members did discuss earlier wind information released by the company that put the average “wind capacity” at 25%. That meant that on average for the year the wind turbines would produce only 25% of their generating capacity. Mr. Edwards agreed that 25% capacity is about the “floor level of economic viability”. Planning board members pointed out that previous discussions with AES and others indicated that 30% of capacity is the preferable wind conditions needed to justify building a Wind farm.
It was noted that the Town Board had approved a motion to go forward with the Empire Wind Energy with further discussions on “next steps” with that company. In previous meetings with Empire Wind Energy, they had mentioned getting wind data was important. That probably means putting up another tower to see if there is enough wind to make the investment worth while for the Town.
If for AES the “economic viability” was near the floor, then we want to be careful how much DEBT the Town incurs if Somerset decides to build 20 to 40 windmills of their own. The other Big Question in any wind farm deal is if the Town actually benefits? At 30% wind capacity the Town could make good money to offset other losses or provide better services for the people. However at 25% wind capacity we may only cover costs to operate and have ZERO net left over to help the Town.
If AES has not approved their wind project to go forward, than the Town should be sure before we buy into the “Polly Anna” promises being made without any true study to support the claims. A responsible Town Board will hopefully, investigate thoroughly and safeguard the future of our Town and not leave us with 20 to 40 large white albatrosses that cost the Town money instead helping to grow the Town or improve its future as some have claimed.