Tompkins County, NY In Support of Wind Energy Project

Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted on 6/13/07

Vote: Unanimous

Source File: http://www.tompkins-co.org/emc/docs/02windresolution.doc

Text:

Environmental Management Council
RESOLUTION NO. 02-2007
RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING county support for the Enfield energy wind project

WHEREAS, the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2007 states that global greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 70% between 1970 and 2004, that global greenhouse gases will continue to grow, and that emission reductions could help offset the projected growth of greenhouse gas emissions if adopted in the near future, and

WHEREAS, Local government actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency provide multiple local benefits by decreasing air pollution, reducing energy expenditures, and saving money for county government, its businesses, and its citizens; and

WHEREAS, on April 4, 2001, Tompkins County adopted Resolution No. 69 of 2001 to participate in the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Campaign, a project of the International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from county government operations by 20% by 2008 compared to 1998 levels, and

WHEREAS, wind energy can provide an important means of local generation of renewable energy, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from county operations and to help meet the goals of the Local Action Plan, and

WHEREAS, each municipality and local government can and should play a role in addressing the crisis of climate change, and

WHEREAS, John Rancich of Enfield has formed Enfield Energy to develop the potential for wind energy in the southwestern portion of Tompkins County, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that

a. The Tompkins County Environmental Management Council is in full support of developing wind energy in the county through the Enfield Energy Project, pending the successful completion of a full SEQRA Environmental Impact Statement, and assurance that the project will not interfere with the county’s public communications system;

b. The Tompkins County Environmental Management Council recommends that the County Legislature offer its support for the Enfield Energy wind project;

c. The Tompkins County Environmental Management Council recommends that the County Legislature should explore possible options to provide capital financing to assist with the development of the Enfield Energy wind project; and

d. The Tompkins County Environmental Management Council recommends that the County Legislature should explore possible options to obtain long-term renewable energy contracts from Enfield Energy as a way of supporting the local development of renewable energy.