“Not in my backyard, especially if that backyard is Lake Erie.”
That is the message officials of the Town of Evans has made in response to a proposal that wind towers be built in Lake Erie.
The Evans Town board is so opposed to the idea that they passed a resolution opposing a New York Power Authority proposal to construct wind towers in Lake Erie at their meeting last Wednesday (May 5) night.
The resolution reads as follows:
“While the Town of Evans council members encourage and welcome job-creating economic development projects, business expansions, and new businesses in the township that are consistent with our community values, enhanced quality of life, and present no harm to the unique characteristics of this township that we all cherish, however; we feel this project is inconsistent with our community goals and so we strongly oppose the New York Power Authority plan for the placement of wind turbines in the East Basin of Lake Erie.”
“Our future lies in that lake and the beaches that accompany it,” said Supervisor Francis Pordum. “We do not want wind turbines out there.”
The proposed project is to be between 120 and 500 megawatts, and will also include a landing site and on-land transmission lines to a NYISO Transmission System interconnection.
Resident Tom Marks spoke out in opposition of the proposed turbines, presenting a list of 21 cons of the wind towers, including negative impact on property value, tourism and taxes, to the board.
“They are not what we need in the Great Lakes, especially Lake Erie,” Marks said. “I hope very strongly you will oppose this proposal and pass this resolution.”
The town would receive no financial benefit from this proposal because all facilities involved would be exempt from local and real property taxes. The board went on to state they feel the construction of these turbines would have a negative impact on tourism destinations and the farming community.
“In an economy where people are losing their jobs and schools are closing, they want to spend money on alternative energy when we have it right in our backyard (Niagara Falls)?” asked Councilman Keith Dash.
District 12 Erie County Legislator Lynne Dixon spoke on the potential negative impact on fisheries in the area as well as the mating habits of Lake Erie fish.
Not everyone in attendance was against the idea of wind turbines in Lake Erie.
“Now, I’m neither for them nor against them honestly,” said resident Dick Hammer. “Before we go so far as to really turn them down, we should really take a look at the pro sides of them in our community.”
This proposed project would be the first fresh-water, off-shore based wind project in the country.
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