Rebuttal Testimony on Wind Energy Facility Siting

Strategic Insights -

The New York State Public Service Commission has received rebuttal testimony from David Meyer, a Senior Manager at Comsearch, in response to pre-filed testimony submitted by Cesar D. Perez on behalf of Madison County. The testimony centered on alleged impacts to microwave paths at the Mutton Hill Tower Site, related to the proposed 100-Megawatt (MW) wind energy facility in Madison County. Meyer's testimony challenges several conclusions made by Perez and Microwave Networks, Inc., claiming that their analysis is factually and technically incorrect.

Key Takeaways:

  • David Meyer, Senior Manager at Comsearch, submitted rebuttal testimony to challenge pre-filed testimony by Cesar D. Perez on behalf of Madison County.
  • Meyer's analysis indicates that the risk of RMUT 1 and RMUT 2 turbine blades impacting the Fresnel Zone of the MUT to POM link is VERY LOW once the turbine is installed and operational.
  • Meyer disagrees with Microwave Networks' conclusion that RMUT 4/Turbine 6's blades will "severely invade" the First Fresnel Zone of the MUT to FN2 link, stating that the analysis disregards the actual geometric clearance between the swept blade path and the Fresnel zone.
  • Meyer used the Pythagorean Theorem to calculate the positive clearance between Turbine 6 and the MUT to FN2 link, finding a clearance of approximately 16 meters.
  • The rebuttal testimony includes an attached diagram showing the geometric relationship between the turbine and the microwave beam path.

Statistics:

  • The proposed 100-Megawatt (MW) wind energy facility is located in Madison County, New York.
  • The facility will have a hub height of 117 meters and a blade diameter of 158 meters.
  • The Fresnel Zone Radius is 7.34 meters.
  • The horizontal off-path distance is 61.99 meters.
  • The centerline height of the microwave signal at the turbine location is 34.4 meters above ground level.
  • The calculated distance between the hub and microwave centerline is 103.27 meters.

Sources:

  • STATE OF NEW YORK OFFICE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SITING Application of Hoffman Falls Wind, LLC for a Major Renewable Energy Facility Siting Permit
  • Rebuttal Testimony of David Meyer, Senior Manager, Comsearch, submitted on August 12, 2025
  • Microwave Networks' reports, including the preliminary and final reports (attached as DMM Item 164 and DMM Item 151, respectively)
  • Exhibit B: Diagram showing the geometric relationship between the turbine and the microwave beam path