October 7, 2008

KONST INTRODUCES TWO MEASURES ON BEHALF OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES

Erie County Legislator Kathy Konst (D-Lancaster, Elma) is calling for a comprehensive, statewide energy policy that takes into account the unique needs of every level of government and provides a local voice to the siting of energy generation facilities.

In a resolution she introduced October 2, 2008, Konst noted that a state law which streamlined the siting permit procedure - Article X of the Public Service Law - expired on December 31, 2002.

"The development of renewable energy and associated businesses, including large-scale and small-scale wind energy, the cultivation of willow, switch grass and other bio-mass raw materials, ethanol and bio-diesel processing, alternative fuel filling stations, waste-to-energy methane facilities and bio-fuel engine conversion shops are showing great potential for growth and for lessening the nation's dependence on foreign oil," Konst said.

"Since Article X expired in 2002, no new power generation facilities have been built within New York State, with the exception of wind energy generation facilities commonly known as wind-farms," Konst added. "Wind farms have been sited via local zoning and the review of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

Konst stated that there are various proposals that have been put forth by the Governor and State Legislators that would renew and revise Article X of the Public Service Law. Some would preempt local authority over the siting of wind-farms in favor of the "streamlined" state siting policy for all energy generation facilities.

"As proposed, an energy facility siting board, which does not include any locally elected officials, may ignore any local law (including zoning laws) they choose, giving local governments virtually no role in the siting process of any energy generation facility that will be placed within their jurisdictions," Konst said. "This cannot be allowed to happen."

Another measure benefitting local communities, particularly in rural areas of New York State, was introduced by Konst. The resolution asks state leaders to direct the New York State Department of Public Service, the Office for Technology and the Empire State Development Corporation to develop a statewide telecommunications policy that:

• Encourages the development of infrastructure supporting the expansion of broadband Internet and cellular phone service in rural regions of the state.
• Stimulates competition among Internet service providers to reduce costs to both business and residential users statewide.
• Expands free access to wireless broadband in public facilities.

"Grant programs such as Empire State Development Corporation's Wired Buildings Program should be expanded with specific funding outlays for rural broadband development," Konst concluded.

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