The unknown often causes unwarranted fears, and that seems to be the case when it comes to putting wind turbines in Lake Ontario.
It doesn't have to be that way, if the New York Power Authority would release basic information about proposals it is reviewing.
Right now, all the public knows is that the authority received five proposals from wind developers to put turbines in the New York waters of Lake Ontario or Lake Erie.
The authority is analyzing the bids and plans to announce selections by the end of 2010 or in early 2011. Until then, the authority says it won't release any information in order to evaluate the bids objectively and fairly.
Consequently, shoreline residents, environmentalists, wind proponents and opponents are needlessly left in the dark. It's reasonable to expect the authority to keep certain information, such as financial data, secret in a competitive bid situation. But at a minimum, the authority could release the names of the bidders, the areas of the lakes the bids target, and the number of turbines. State law would not prevent that.
An authority spokeswoman said that body doesn't want to be influenced by the public in making its selection, which is followed by a two-year review process. To its credit, the authority has promised to have even more opportunities for public input than the law requires.
Meanwhile, a Wayne County citizens group already is lobbying Monroe legislators to take a position against the turbines. That's way premature until bids are selected and more information is known. Monroe legislative leaders have smartly agreed. It could be, of course, that none of the bidders is even targeting the shoreline off Monroe County.
More information could allay unwarranted fears, or give citizens notice to start educating themselves on the issue. Opening up the process now would add credibility in the long run.
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