Windmills on the water

Hanover discusses offshore wind energy project

HANOVER - The New York Power Authority wants to build a utility-size wind farm in Lake Erie. They're calling it the Great Lakes Offshore Wind (GLOW) Project.

NYPA President Richard M. Kessel released, in December 2009, a request for proposals for the development of offshore wind power projects in the two Great Lakes that border New York state.

Hanover Town Supervisor Katherine Tampio announced she received notice that a company - Lake Erie Wind LLC - has filed an application to acquire an underwater land lease from New York state at the town board meeting Monday. The request stems from the state's push for an offshore wind farm.

"It's kind of a preliminary part of this process," Tampio said. "I can't imagine that New York state would approve the application at this point until New York Power Authority awards the bid."

It's preliminary, but the offshore wind project is steadily progressing toward fruition.

The correspondence also calls attention to a 20-day period of public comment prior to the state making any decision on the lease. Tampio encouraged any residents interested in commenting on the application for the land lease to contact her.
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