Broome County wind farm critics: Costly tax break, few jobs for exported electricity

An ex-county legislator said a 124-megawatt wind installation approved for eastern Broome represents nothing but a burden for taxpayers.
Jeff Platsky | Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin

A former Industrial Development Agency director said he’s outraged that Broome County residents are being asked to pick up part of the tab for an electric generation project whose output will likely flow to metro New York.

Stephen Herz said the 124-megawatt wind installation approved for the two towns will satisfy downstate’s growing need for electric generation while representing nothing but a burden for Broome taxpayers, who are being asked to forgo $30 million in property, sales and mortgage taxes.

Herz, an ex-county legislator representing Windsor and Sanford, said the amount is a lot to sacrifice in return for two employees from project sponsors.

Project coordinator Chris Stanton said it was possible for some of the juice generated by the installation to flow to Broome customers, but it’s difficult to determine where exactly the electricity will go.

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