SCCC forges green business alliance

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — Sullivan County Community College (SCCC) has joined forces with the Hudson Valley Technology Development Center (HVTDC) and the Hudson Valley Center for Innovation (HVCFI), to offer support services for the acceleration of cleantech and green technology in Sullivan County.

Both the HVTDC and HVCFI are represented on the SCCC campus in Loch Sheldrake by on-site manager Rich Harbison, who has a career in computer and semiconductor technology dating back to 1965. Harbison’s most recent mentoring activity for the HVCFI has focused on strategic development and deployment of the recently introduced prototype of the AEROCITY urban wind turbine, a small-scale wind turbine that delivers electricity to the building on which it is installed.

HVTDC/HVCFI and SCCC established this partnership with the goal of directing sustainable/green business ventures to the planned Green Technology Commercial Park to be located on the college campus. In addition, with its green-related educational programs and course offerings, SCCC says it will be able to provide technology firms with qualified students who could intern with these companies as well as potentially become full-time employees.

Sullivan partnership backs gaming expansion

MONTICELLO, NY — The president of the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development has written to Senator John Bonacic to express support for the senator’s attempt to pass legislation that would allow for increased forms of gambling at the racino at Mighty M Gaming, and at the new Concord project when that comes on line.

In the letter, Tim McCausland wrote that competition from Pennsylvania gaming venues was part of the reason for the need to expand the types of gaming machines involved. He wrote, “Without question, the ability of gaming consumers to simply cross the Delaware River for expanded video gaming in the Poconos has materially affected the racino operations at Monticello Raceway.”

He added, “Just as there are few casinos that only have slot machines, New York racinos that only have video slots are becoming less competitive—because they are less attractive to the gaming consumer.”

Bonacic has said his proposal would bring an additional $175 million in revenue to the state.

Currently, only video games that are similar to slot machines are allowed at racinos. If Bonacic’s bill passes, electronic forms of other games of chance such as black jack and roulette would be allowed.

Marcy South line recommended for NYRI

ALBANY, NY — If the controversial powerline proposed for New York State is built at all, it should follow the route of the existing Marcy South line, which runs through the middle of Sullivan County and eight other counties in the state.

That was the recommendation from the staff of the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC). In a letter sent on November 25, assistant council Steven Blow said the main route proposed by the company that wants to build the line, New York Regional Interconnect (NYRI), is not the best route.

The letter said that if no suitable alternate route could be found, staff would “support route segments that stay parallel and alongside the New York Power Authority’s existing Marcy South transmission right of way.” The staff reports to the commission, which is responsible for making the final decision.

PA gas drilling fees to increase

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board is expected to raise gas drilling fees at its meeting on December 16. The current fee, which was put into place when the Oil and Gas Act was passed in 1984, is $100 per well.

According to the board, horizontal drilling in the Marcellus Shale “presents new and expanded environmental considerations that the department must evaluate in order to assure that the natural gas is recovered in the most environmentally sound manner.”

According to the executive summary of the rulemaking notice, “The review of the water management plan requires additional Department staff time, beyond the review of a typical gas well permit application, because it requires staff to evaluate water intake information associated with the hydraulic fracturing of the shale, including review of the management, treatment and discharge of the wastewater.”

To pay for the additional cost on Marcellus Shale applications, the new cost of a permit will start with a base fee of $900 per well, with an additional $100 per 500 feet of well bore drilled past 1500 feet. The new fees should become effective in the spring of 2009.

Wayne DA in rollover accident

CARBONDALE TWP, PA — Wayne County District Attorney Michael Lehutsky has been cited for a crash in which he was involved in a rollover.

State police cited Lehutsky for not wearing a seat belt and for leaving his lane of traffic.

On December 1 at 7:35 a.m. on Route 6 just across the county line in Susquehanna County, Lehutsky became distracted and lost control of his car. According to a statement from Lehutsky, the car hit an embankment and rolled over several times. He said he suffered some bangs and bruises but was otherwise unhurt.

He said just prior to the accident, while trying to deal with some scattered papers in his car, he unclicked his seatbelt while trying to untangle it, which was not a good way to go into a rollover situation.

The DA wrote, “Hopefully, my bad example can serve as a reminder to everyone else this Christmas season. With so many things going on, it’s very easy to get distracted and it only takes a fraction of a second to end up in trouble. Take your time, pay attention and arrive alive so you and your family have nothing but happy memories of the holidays.”