The Energy Committee voted 11-4 to send the legislation to the Assembly floor for consideration.
"This is a major step forward in our effort to protect the current and future training needs at Fort Drum. I appreciate the strong support from members on both sides of the aisle at the committee meeting," Assemblywoman Jenne said. "It is clear we can protect the needs of our military without having a significant impact on our goal of reaching the state's renewable energy goals."
The legislation is co-sponsored by fellow committee members Assemblyman Michael Blake, D-Bronx; Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, D-Bronx;Assemblymember Pamela Hunter, D-Syracuse; Assemblymember Felix Ortiz, D-Brooklyn; Assemblywoman Christina Pellegrino, D-Babylon/Oyster bay/West Islip as well as Assemblymember Aravella Simotas Simotes, D-Queens; Assembylmember Monica Wallace, D-Lancaster; and Assemblymember Jaime Williams, D-Brooklyn.
Assemblywoman Jenne noted approximately 10 new wind farms have been proposed or are under construction around Fort Drum and their impact on training operations, which translates to troop readiness, cannot be ignored.
"Soldiers at Fort Drum and from all over the country depend on the training capabilities here. It's critical to our country's national defense to ensure these training opportunities continue with as little hindrance as possible. We can and will continue to lead the state in generating renewable energy in the North Country while supporting our military's needs. This legislation does just that," according to the assemblywoman.
The legislation will allow the state to continue to move toward its green energy goals and still protect the low-level flight training air space around Fort Drum, creating the opportunity for future activity and growth at the installation.
The moving blades of wind turbines already operating in Lewis County within proximity of Fort Drum have created interference with air traffic control and Doppler weather radar, according to the assemblywoman.
Assemblywoman Jenne has noted the construction of any additional wind projects in close proximity to Fort Drum would significantly degrade radar data that is used to assist pilots training in the area.
The bill approved by the Energy Committee would eliminate any state incentives for the development of wind turbines within the area that could interfere with Fort Drum's radar systems but maintain the incentives for the development of wind-generated energy outside the Fort Drum radar and training area.
The legislation would impact areas:
• within 10 miles of the Wheeler-Sack Army airfield;
• within 15 miles of the Montague Doppler Weather Radar KTYY in the town of Lowville in Lewis County, excluding the area within a 15-mile radius east of the line traveling due north and due south from the intersection of County Road 27 and County Road 28 in the town of Lowville;
• within five miles of the Wheeler-Sack Army airfield restricted airspace in St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis counties;
• within five miles of the boundary of the Wheeler-Sack Army airfield class D controlled airspace with the exception of that controlled airspace in Lewis County; and
• within the enclosed area beginning at the intersection of Route 11 and Route 26, north on Route 11 to Route 56, south on Route 56 to the border of the Adirondack Park and then west along the border of the state park back to a point due east of the Route 11 and Route 26 intersection and then west to the intersection of those two highways.
The temporary ban on subsidies would give Fort Drum officials the time and space they need to fully determine which proposed projects are compatible with their training needs, Assemblywoman Jenne noted.
The legislation includes a 15-year sunset provision that would enable the military to count on the installation's viability and provide quality training to soldiers who can be rapidly deployed as needed. It also allows time for technological leaps and advancements that could allow for the co-location of energy developments around Fort Drum in the future.
