Wind farms will spoil Thousand Islands-Lake Ontario area

To begin with, wind energy is anything but cheap or inexpensive, nor does it diminish our use of fossil fuels. If the government subsidies given to foreign wind companies were instead spent on delivering energy efficient light bulbs to every home in America we wouldn't need to have humongous white monsters from sea to shining sea. When the landscape of this region is so altered as to be seen from 40 and 50 miles away, it affects everyones property and lives, not just a few. It has already effected the price of real estate in Cape Vincent and they are not even here yet. Progress is NEW technology, not old technology and the turbines coming to the north country are definetely old tech. The only fossils we need to reduce here are those that sit on our Cape Vincent town board.

Well said, Cape Lady! Two misinformed readers responded to this article on the WDT site. It amazes me that people like Nelson can actually think the wind power scam is progress and his buddy, quadgator, thinks it will reduce our reliance on foreign oil. Perhaps you will consider posting your comments on the Watertown Daily Times site.

I disagree. The only problem with the way wind farms are being set up now is that the towns and counties have no control and are letting businesses profit off their resources. Please back up with facts insane statements like "wind energy is anything but cheap or inexpensive, nor does it diminish our use of fossil fuels.' Maybe not 'cheap' but definitely, if done right, can be used as an alternate energy source.
My main point is this. They are not an eyesore to everyone, my grandmother for one, and many others that I know actually love to drive out to Lowville to see the Maple Ridge Wind Farm. I have also, not here, but on other boards seen comments suggesting there are health hazards. This is blatantly false. I drive and work around hundreds of turbines daily, and I never hear them, nor do they cause any disturbance in terms of flickering. I have seen research that explains a possible flicker shadow - or low hum,- for at most 15 minutes a day.

Compared to the alternative, "Keep on trucking," wind farms and solar energy, combined with hydro power, are definitely the intelligent and forward thinking way to go.

By the way, your light bulb idea is insane.

They love to drive to lowville, so they don't live there or have to deal with the windtowers am I correct. While I too do not live in the area, I think windtowers are not the great investment some say they are, and if more electricity is needed, why are go generation plants being shut down? There is actually too much electricity for the system to handle.

Well, at least Henderson does not have to worry about windtowers now. The election results are in and the badguys won, what an amazing town up there that they would vote the people in that they do, a former supervisor who is likely going to be on the town board to get a windtower on his property, and his common law wife, or whatever she is, the town clerk. Take a look in the local paper and see what the develper said today. He is saying electricity, will be available to the school, town offices, etc. I do not see how that is possible.

But I think God I do not live there, it seems to be a very nasty place, especially to live.

Cape Lady wrote:

To begin with, wind energy is anything but cheap or inexpensive, nor does it diminish our use of fossil fuels. If the government subsidies given to foreign wind companies were instead spent on delivering energy efficient light bulbs to every home in America we wouldn't need to have humongous white monsters from sea to shining sea. When the landscape of this region is so altered as to be seen from 40 and 50 miles away, it affects everyones property and lives, not just a few. It has already effected the price of real estate in Cape Vincent and they are not even here yet. Progress is NEW technology, not old technology and the turbines coming to the north country are definetely old tech. The only fossils we need to reduce here are those that sit on our Cape Vincent town board.

Just the truth, can you type in English next time, I think you were trying to say something, but it was lost in translation.

If you do not live there, than you do not know,so stop saying how awful it is. I work in Lowville and I am from Henderson, both have their good and bad aspects, and that has nothing to do with Wind Farms. Too much electricity? Seriously? Do you understand the debate?

while I do not follow the events all the time, I have friends in Henderson, and I hear alot of the things that go on there. The primary election will put in office, or may, a former town supervisor who has the only cell tower in town, who has the town clerk living with him, who has signed an easement with a windfarm developer and who raised taxes by almost 550 percent a few years ago. And he was voted back into office. He is the one that allowed his girlfriend and others to go after a scoutmaster and put him on trial for a project? What kind of town is Henderson? What kind of people do that to other people, and this guy was put back into office?
Not to mention the other person who won the supervisor spot, who has voted no over and over again for the last two years as I understand it.

as I have said, glad I do not live there.

Cape Lady wrote:

To begin with, wind energy is anything but cheap or inexpensive, nor does it diminish our use of fossil fuels. If the government subsidies given to foreign wind companies were instead spent on delivering energy efficient light bulbs to every home in America we wouldn't need to have humongous white monsters from sea to shining sea. When the landscape of this region is so altered as to be seen from 40 and 50 miles away, it affects everyones property and lives, not just a few. It has already effected the price of real estate in Cape Vincent and they are not even here yet. Progress is NEW technology, not old technology and the turbines coming to the north country are definetely old tech. The only fossils we need to reduce here are those that sit on our Cape Vincent town board.

You give rumor, hear say, and out right lies for your reasons. As someone who was born there, I am glad schmucks like you stay away. Good riddance.

Sorry, I am not as well educated as you are..

I do understand the debate, believe me. Cogeneration plants in the area have shut down, because their electricity is not needed. If windtowers are so wonderful, then they should be placed down state where the wind also blows, and where the electricity will be sent. If you saw a recent letter in the paper put there by a developer, he seems to say that everything will be wonderful, electricity for the school, town , etc. I don't think so. None of us have all the answers, I know I don't, but I would rather not find out the answers to the questions about the negative effects of these towers, by actually having them put in that town and to have those that live there have to deal with them, if they do not want to. Henderson town government does not play by the rules, more so then most governments, and the people in that town should be scared as hell about all of this. But it seems they are not, any more then all the other things that go on there that they pay the taxes for.

To be honest, it sounds like it is you who does know what goes on in that town. If your remark about rumours and the like was directed at me, I do my best to get the facts, as best one can from a town government such as that town has. By your remarks, it really seems you have no idea what goes on there, anymore then those who live there.
I guess my main point is, is that the towers will be up and running before anyone wakes up, similar to other things that have happened there.

No sense in arguing about it, no sense in even taking about it, there is nothing anyone can do I believe.

Everyone agrees on the need for green energy. Earth Day was 40 years ago and now we are just getting on the save the planet bandwagon? Lowville and Henderson are worlds apart, and while towers may be fine for Lowville, Henderson and the coastal areas along the eastern area of the lake, should be unspoiled, as rresidential use is more suited then industrial. Why not fill the adirondeck park with towers since no one lives there? The developer in Henderson wants the law rewritten so there are minimal setbacks from residences, and be allowed to put them anywhere with no overlays in Ar-40. That sounds pretty selfish doesnt it? Its kinda like importing garbage into Rodman from out side the 3 county area. Who needs it? Why not keep the garbage and the towers, which are also garbage, closer to the places that need the power and generate the garbage?

And why spoil a beautiful part of the country, Henderson and right up to the cape with towers that will benefit only a few at the expense of the entire area.?

Greed.

and despite all of our feelings, and comments, the decision will be made rather towers are put in Henderson by a town board and then a planning board that has consistantly shown in the past that both do pretty much what they want, for the benefit of a very few people in that town. What goes on in that town government is the stuff nightmare are made of. so I guess I will be silent on the issue from now on. If you have kept up with what goes on there, and how things are done, you quickly realize that that town is lost, in more ways then one. There are too many town officials who have a hand in the pot, to keep the towers out I believe.

"Lowville and Henderson are worlds apart, and while towers may be fine for Lowville, Henderson and the coastal areas along the eastern area of the lake, should be unspoiled, as rresidential use is more suited then industrial."

I do not think Wind Towers "spoil," anything.

I think you type to many things about the town board and such with out any facts, on this site at least, that is what I have said and am saying. You have posted 4 posts since my last, and not one has any shred of any evidence or actual facts, just someone blasting some where (Henderson's town board and governing bodies,) and something,(wind towers) you have no idea about.

I do think Henderson could be run better, and I do think some are trying to do what they think they can, to change it.

I know of at least one land owner who told the Wind Farm people, "No, under not circumstances." Only to be told they would use eminent domain if necessary.

So, I am worried about the way it is going, I just do not like general statements blasting Wind Energy or Henderson, and I will defend them, that is all.

I, as I have stated, have lived and was born in the area, and I am aware of some of the shenanigans (though, if you think the like is not happening else where you are greatly misinformed) happening in Henderson.

Wind mills are certainly a good alternative energy source and what really is nice is that they look a lot better than electrical wires and poles draping our streets, country landscape and shorelines. There is nothing uglier than a telephone pole and its wires.

sarah
apparently you are anot aware that power lines are neccesary for the wind turbine. Here is a link to what the power lines look like for turbines.
http://www.windaction.org/pictures/13834
really nice huh?

Weird, a post from a anti wind energy site. BIAS!!!!!

NIMBY people are ignorant. Would you prefer a nuke plant or a wind farm in your area?

I mean, it is not that simple, but it deserves a closer look.

What I think is the problem is towns do not take control, they allow wind farm businesses to come in and get the profit. If the towns would take the initiative, they could have control, or more of it, than they previously have, and can get a bigger share of the profits, instead of them going strictly to the land owners and businesses, which limits its flowing back to the community.

Anyone complaining about side effects, i.e. noise or flickering is exaggerating, I have been around a wind farm for the last year and a half out here near Lowville, and I know for a fact those are not concerns. They are not concerns with the citizens, and they are not concerns with drivers. They are also not concerns of those that own the property the turbines are on.

As far as landscape and how they look to the eye. That is debatable, but so are trees and woods. many people would rather see skyscrapers and cement. Some want to see nothing but wilderness. There has to be a middle ground.

Anyone thinking anything can stay the way it always was is naive.