With a close eye on potential revenues, the Herkimer County Legislature [1] unanimously approved a preliminary agreement with Iberdrola Renewables [2] that could lead to construction of about 80 wind turbines, each producing 2 megawatts of electricity, the Utica Observer-Dispatch [3] reported.

In its approval resolution, the county legislature stipulated various conditions for its approval. It would receive an upfront payment of $400,000 for Iberdrola's Hardscrabble project, which includes the municipalities of Fairfield and Norway, and $364,000 for the Jordanville project, which includes Warren and Stark. The county also would accept a prorated portion of payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT), which will not cover any substations turned over to a third party.

Property owners who permit Iberdrola to locate on their land would receive annual payments of $5,000 to $6,000 per turbine. The wind power developer would have to make full disclosure of any payments the company makes to municipalities and community organizations. 

Finding willing landowners and access to power grids are the next challenges. But perhaps the biggest concern at this point, particularly to the Jordanville project, is its location near historic sites. Nicole Dillingham, interim director of Otsego 2000 [4], said the Jordanville project would have a negative impact on at least 92 historic sites in the region, including the Glimmerglass Historic District.

It is also unclear whether the project's supplemental environmental impact statement, which is currently under public review, will meet the requirements of previous court rulings.