Monday, December 17, 2007

Opposition December 18, 2007 Letter to SCIDA PILOT for UPC Windfarm Prattsburgh

Mike Doyle
George Connors
Rick Weakland
John Sirianni
Michael Nisbet
Douglas Malone
Philip Roche
Jim Sherron

Steuben County IDA
7234 Route 54 North,
Bath New York 14810

To the SCIDA Board:

Prior to entering into a PILOT Agreement with Windfarm Prattsburgh, the SEQR Review should be complete, with all potential impacts being mitigated. However prior to the announcement of this public meeting, UPC, the developer of Windfarm Prattsburgh, did not have a transmission route in place. Therefore, it is not possible that all potential impacts have been mitigated.

What follows are the reasons why it is not appropriate to enter into a PILOT agreement with Windfarm Prattburgh:

UPC/Windfarm Prattsburgh does not have a transmission plan in place. NYSERDA informed us three years ago that the DEIS would have the transmission route and that was not the case. Instead, the FEIS contained a plan that showed transmission lines crossing the land of residents in Prattsburgh who had not signed easements. To date it has not been possible to obtain a completed transmission plan and we have been told that one does not exist.

Now through our own investigation we have discovered that UPC plans to use an entirely different route, a route for which they do not have all the signed easements they need. The new route will cross a trout spawning stream and will require the involvment of the Fish and Wildlife and the DEC, yet the public has not been notified.

Criteria for IDA projects are outlined in Article 18-A of New York General Municipal Law. Under the General Act, the IDA must undertake projects that create public benefit. Projects should result in direct new investment and stimulate additional investment beyond the initial project as well as increase employment. There is also supposed to be demonstrated public support for the project.

An IDA is supposed to consider capital investment and jobs, with priority given to businesses creating full-time permanent jobs that pay starting hourly wages at 135% of the current New York State minimum wage or higher.

At no time has the public been shown evidence that the cost of this project’s environmental impact is worth the benefits. The SCIDA has spoken in broad generalities, but has not once given details on wind data that the company possesses from its meteorological studies.

In addition, the public has repeatedly drawn SCIDA’s attention to a GE Energy report commissioned by NYSERDA[5] where it is stated clearly that “Their effective capacities…..are about 10%, due to both the seasonal and daily patterns of the wind generation being largely “out of phase” with the NYISO load patterns. This does not take into account down time for icing and blade failure. SCIDA has ignored this report.

There has been no demonstration of public support for this project besides a group that was formed by an employee of Windfarm Prattburgh – rather the opposite has been the case.

There has been no demonstration of the ways that this project would benefit the taxpayer and the local tax base over the long term.

There is no demonstration of any positive impact of the project on the county and overall regional economy.

The project is not necessary to meet critical community needs – it will not lower electric bills, nor will people’s specific electrical needs be met.

SCIDA has deliberately ignored the project’s impact on the tourist industry. SCIDA has also ignored the impact on seasonal and recreational homes which presently account for 40 percent of the tax base of the Town of Prattsburgh.

Since the inception of this project SCIDA and the company have been claiming that only 6-8 jobs full time jobs will be created. This will not make a significant contribution to local employment.

Additionally, the public has repeatedly asked what kind of jobs these will be – will they be skilled – will they have benefits – and will local people be able to fulfill these jobs?

As far as capital improvements are concerned, it is stretching it a bit to say that the windmills bring the same improvement to this area as a factory or plant. A factory building can be sold and reused as something else. Windmills can be used for one thing and when their technology is obsolete they have to be torn down.

Repeatedly we have been told that results of meteorological studies are proprietary. We do not know if SCIDA has even seen these results. In addition, SCIDA has not looked at the existing wind plants around the world for data. Mark Landler in a November 23, 2007 article published in the New York Times, writes about Anders Nyberg, political adviser in the Ministry of Enterprises, Energy and Communications for Sweden who explained their agreement with Denmark regarding wind. Denmark, which cannot use the intermittent wind energy that wreaks havoc with its grid, exports this energy to Sweden, which uses it to move underground water into reservoirs so that eventually it can make electricity from hydro. We do not have a hydro plant to which intermittent wind energy can be transmitted, so what is this area going to do when the surges to the grid prove impossible to manage?

UPC has agreed to fix roads that it damages. However, the public does not know WHEN these roads will be fixed. How long will residents need to wait after the damage is done? Who will be responsible for damage to residents’ vehicles?

With respect to the contract with the Town of Prattburgh, what proof is there that UPC will have its complete project built during the time when the benefits per megawatt hour are the greatest? The first two years of the contract, UPC has proposed to give the town of Prattsburgh $7500 per megawatt hour and $6700 per megawatt hour. At this time they do not have a contiguous line from turbines to substation and consequently may not be able to build the bulk of their project. So the amount that will go to the town is not clearcut at this time.

What gives SCIDA the right to make a PILOT that involves a project that is partly in the Town of Italy? This question has been asked repeatedly, but you have ignored it. You have allowed one wind developer to bully the Town of Italy by suing it. Even though Italy won the lawsuit, it cost them $90,000 to defend themselves.

Allowing these towers to be placed so close to the property lines means that next door neighbors to wind towers do not have the use of all their land for future building, or just for walking and enjoying. This amounts to an illegal taking.

Ruth and Terry Matilsky
6724 Baker Road, Prattsburgh, NY 14873
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Many people have asked to be included as signers of this letter. We have listed their names, and in some cases their brief comments.

…….Please feel free to add my signature to the bottom of your letter.

To this point we have been among those fortunate enough to call this wonderful place among these southern tier hills our home. From the most majestic lake front homes to the small cabin in the woods for all who choose to live here in the Finger Lakes region of New York we share a respect for this land. It is such a tragedy to see the incessant greed that fuels these new age pirates. Their inhumanity, their debauchery, their desecration of the beautiful landscape, and their outright villainous thievery reflected in the greed that feeds their souls while robbing ours.
Laurie Hill 8561 Route 15 Springwater, New York

By all means you have my permission Bruno Bosso........(Baker Road)

Joan and John Myers, John E. Myers Sharon Hobson Kevin Smith, Block School

I would like it if my name was added to the list of people opposed to this project.

Many of the land owners leasing property for the turbine sites do not reside on this land therefore the only impact to them is the monetary value of the lease. There is no visual or any other impact to them. The studies have indicated the impact on adjacent property owners. There is no information or safeguards for the properties, though not adjacent, but in very close proximity. My property value will definitely drop if these towers are allowed. Who would want to buy recreational property with these monstrosities next door? Michael Costello 359 Sandoris Circle Rochester, NY 14622

I think your letter sounds great as is.You can add my name to the letter you present to SCIDA.
Bob Allison, Baker Road, Prattsburgh

I definitely give you my approval and permission to put my name on this document. I hope this does not fall on deaf ears like so many other issues that SCIDA has ignored in the past. Please keep me informed as to the affect this may have on SCIDA. Thanks. Keep up the good fight!
Stephen J. Rowan
Claire Quadri P.O. Box 223 Westfield, New York 14787

Carl and Nancy Wahlstrom Symonds Road Prattsburgh New York
Anne Britton Brandon, NY
Timothey Yancey Martinsburg, NY
Gordon Yancey Martinsburg, NY
Rick Beyer Martinsburg, NY
Jeff Beyer Martinsburg, NY
Bill and Phyllis Hickey 5375 Hoghlands Drive in the Town of Italy
Rich and Carol Ann Joki, 11639 Davis Road Prattsburgh
Charles E. Koster 10812 County Road 7 Prattsburgh NY

We own the property that adjoins the UPC property up on Rosey Hill Rd. I have recently been informed that Harold [McConnell, Town Supervisor]assisted in putting the sale of that property to UPC together. This project will have a huge impact on us as they are to start construction of buildings there and drill a well. (According to the DEC) We are very concerned about the future of our well too, with the possibility of a collapse when they start blasting for the towers. Thank you Tim Gargana for Scott, Jean, Craig, and Evan Gargana

Brad Jones and Linda Jones 3996 Donley Road, Naples, NY 14512

Please include me in any correspondence involving the destructive issues "revolving" around wind farms, turbines, towers, atrocities...what ever you want to call them. Including the lying and sleezy actions on the part of developers and some politicians...lets quit this game and send them home!! Gratefully signed,Patricia E. Lynch1062 Edgemere Dr Rochester, NY 14612

I own the land that covers the intersection of Yates, Steuben and
Ontario Counties. The address is Thomas MacAllister, 6295 Edson Road, Italy Valley NY.....The land in Prattsburgh (Steuben) and Naples
(Ontario) is land locked with no real address. . . I agree with the email to the SCIDA Board. I have attended Italy meetings but cannot attend the Prattsburgh Meeting.

Of course you can add our signatures to your letter. Mr and Mrs Thomas Brickler 3460 Potter Hill Rd Cohocton, NY 14826

We support all you say in your letter. Albert & Deborah Wordingham 6142 Cook School Rd. Prattsburgh, NY 14873

Please add my name to the list of people who oppose this windfarm project. From the inception, this entire proposal has been led by a group which has questionable motives for implementing it. I most vehemently OBJECT to this and to the cabal which has facilitated entry of these "investors". Due to work and personal obligations I will not be able to voice my opposition in person; however I do give permission to add my name to the document listing owners against it.
Krystyna K. Loeffler 11470 Davis Rd. and 29 Spring Hill 14450

YES, PLEASE SIGN OUR NAMES
SUE MILLEAND PAUL MILLER 7170 ROUTE 53 PRATTSBURGH

Jim, Judi and Blair Hall, Whiting Road, Prattsburgh

Alice and Saul Sokolow, Cayward Hill Road, Prattsburgh

Please include me in any correspondence involving the destructive issues "revolving" around wind farms, turbines, towers, Gratefully signed, Patricia E. Lynch 1062 Edgemere Dr.Rochester,

Bill and Phyllis Hickey
property at 5375 Hoghlands Drive in the Town of Italy

Please sign us as Carol Ann Joki and Rich Joki 11639 Davis Road

I definitely give you my approval and permission to put my name on this document. I hope this does not fall on deaf ears like so many other issues that SCIDA has ignored in the past. Please keep me informed as to the affect this may have on SCIDA. Thanks. Keep up the good fight!
Stephen J. Rowan 10227 Allis Rd, Prattsburgh, NY.

Nicely done, and please include my name in support of this letter. John Servo Black Lock Road Prattsburgh

Yes...please add:

Donna Farrington
10521 Rosey Hill Rd.
Prattsburgh, NY

Todd Sharrow
10521 Rosey Hill Rd.
Prattsburgh, NY

Wayne and June Sharrow
10621 Rosey Hill Rd.

Put my name on your letter Richard J Henrie & Katerine e Henrie
Caroline and Al Muscianese Cook School Road Prattsburgh

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