Renewable energy has been a growing concern over the past few years nationwide and here at home.

Renewable energy concerns prompted a seminar on energy conservation in Herkimer today. Local residents gathered to voice their concerns and learn more about reusable resources.

Renewable energy concerns prompted a seminar on renewable energy in Herkimer today. Local residents gathered to voice their concerns and learn more about reusable resources.

Brian Hugwick, Geophyscist, “As New York state...and we have to accommodate for that.”

On the top of the agenda the use of wind farms a topic that has been raising both concern and promise over the past few months. Small steps are being taken in the process of building windmills in the town of Manheim in Herkimer county.

Board members in that town passed an ordinance that says town residents will have a say if or when the windmills are built. Among the opposition concern over decreasing property value but some say the benefits far outweigh the downsides.

Wind farms are popular in states with large populations like California and Texas and they are gaining a lot of momentum in New York.

Governor Pataki has jumped on the renewable energy bandwagon instituting a policy that twenty five percent of government municipal energy be renewable within the next two years.