Albany -- The New York State Public Service Commission Wednesday authorized the construction and operation of wind energy generating projects capable of generating 127.5 megawatts of electricity in the Towns of Cohocton and Avoca in Steuben County. In addition to granting Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity authorization, the Commission will impose conditions on the Cohocton and Dutch Hill projects to ensure safe, reliable and adequate service using the wind turbines as proposed by Canandaigua Power Partners, LLC and Canandaigua Power Partners II, LLC.

Public comment was solicited regarding proposed facilities.  The Commission considered comments received concerning: the reliability and characteristics of the wind turbines to be installed; the design, layout and accessibility of the proposed transmission and substation facilities; the potential for adverse effects on access to and operation of the bulk transmission system; and proposed right-of-way management practices and design standards.  An evidentiary hearing was held on June 6, 2007, in the Town of Bath.  The proposed facilities will have a combined electric generating capacity of 127.5 megawatts to power approximately 45,000 homes on an average annual basis.