LIMESTONE, N.Y. – Change is on the wind in the Village of
Limestone and Town of Carrollton.

Both municipalities are looking into providing cheaper
electricity service to residents by utilizing windmill energy.

Limestone mayor Ralph Bottone told The Era Friday government
officials in the village have already submitted a letter of intent
stating their interest in the program to Empire State Wind Energy
out of Oneida, and expects Carrollton officials will soon do the
same.

Once that has been completed, Bottone said, representatives from
Empire State will come out and determine if building a windmill
energy system locally is feasible.

Bottone said he and other officials have been in contact with
Empire State for the better part of a year, and there has been talk
of building five to 15 windmills in the Limestone area. The
windmills would produce the energy, or electricity, which is then
transmitted through a pre-existing “electricity grid,” he said.

“It will be like building a big electric outlet for the village
of Limestone and (town of) Carrollton,” Bottone said, adding
residents would pay Empire State for their electricity service.

He went on to say representatives from Empire State were in
Limestone last Tuesday, sharing information about their services
during Limestone’s regular meeting. During that presentation, it
was reported some New York residents using windmills saw a 60
percent savings in electricity costs after the switch.

Many of the initial costs to get the system started will be
borne by Empire State, Bottone said; lines and poles will be used
through National Grid – the current provider used by residents
currently. Bottone explained that Empire State is owned by Tom
Golisano, who also owns the Buffalo Sabres hockey team, and the
company receives large tax incentives to spend the money necessary
to set these systems up.

“The cost to taxpayers is practically nothing,” Bottone
said.

If all goes as planned by local officials – meaning the Empire
State representatives determine wind mills are feasible for use in
the area and then the concept is approved at a public hearing –
windmills could be up and running near Limestone in 24 months,
Bottone said.

He went on to say the last public meeting for the village was
publicized and he hoped they would see a sizable crowd interested
in the new energy proposal, but unfortunately, less than 10
residents attended the last meeting. Bottone said he hoped more
residents would show an interest in the subject as the process
unfolds and attend the public hearing when it is slated.

In addition, Bottone said Limestone and Carrollton officials are
also looking into expanding the water and sewer systems to help
defray utility costs to residents.

He said officials are most concerned right now with cutting
utility costs for their residents, and at the same time, want to
bring the small, rural communities into modern times.