July 13, 2006
Town Board of Cohocton
Cohocton, NY 14826
Re: Fire Protection
Cohocton Town Board Members:
Enclosed is an account of a 900 acre fire in California started by a wind turbine failure. If you research this fire, you will note that airplanes and helicopters were used to fight this fire. How many of these firefighting tools do we have now? How many will be in place prior to the industrializing of Cohocton with the placement of wind turbines of this size.
If you take note of how the fire started, it will be realized that spewing hydraulic oil was the cause. How many helicopters and planes can you buy with the $160,000 a year from UPC?
Flames lap Oak Creek Pass
The fire was caused by burning debris from a wind turbine that caught fire due to a malfunction.
June 3, 2006 in Tehachapi News
Flames that marched across the hills of Oak Creek Pass on May 26 brought firefighters from several jurisdictions to battle the area’s first large-scale fire of the season. The fire began about 2:10 p.m. west of Tehachapi-Willow Springs Road approximately one mile south of Oak Creek Road and burned approximately 900 acres of desert brush and grass.
The fire was 40 percent contained by 10 p.m. According to Kern County Fire Department inspector Tony Diffenbaugh, 241 firefighters battled the fire. “Crews were assisted by airtankers, helicopters and bulldozers, however, the air operation was halted after about two hours due to high wind conditions,” he said. Diffenbaugh also said that rugged terrain along with the high wind conditions hampered containment efforts. He said firefighters constructed a fire break approximately seven miles long and used Tehachapi-Willow Springs Road to stop the spread of the fire. “Several spot fires on the east side of Tehachapi-Willow Springs Road that were started by wind blown embers were quickly extinguished by firefighters,” Diffenbaugh said.
He said that several structures in the area, including homes and wind energy producing equipment, were threatened by the fire. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity overnight aided firefighters in their efforts to secure the perimeter of the fire. Diffenbaugh said that by 7 a.m. on May 27, the fire was 80 percent contained. He said firefighters stayed on remained on the fire until May 28 until the fire is completely controlled. “The reduction in the final acreage of 787 is due to more accurate mapping performed by the KCFD Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Unit,” Diffenbaugh said. “Using GPS equipment, GIS personnel mapped the entire perimeter of the fire.” He said that by using a specialized computer program, the information was converted into a highly accurate map of the fire.
The fire was caused by burning debris from a wind turbine that caught fire due to a malfunction. The firefighting operation was conducted under the command of KCFD Battalion Chief Hiedi Dinkler. California Department of Forestry, United States Forest Service, CCI fire crew and Los Angeles County Fire Department assisted with the fire. Contributing writer Nick Smirnoff contributed to this article.
Web link: http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/viewarticle.php?cat_id=383&post=16666
Sincerely,
Robert C. Strasburg II
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Saturday, July 08, 2006
July 7, 2006 letter on the Upcoming Open Public Meeting by Robert C. Strasburg II
Cohocton Town Board
Cohocton, NY 14826
Re: Upcoming Open Public Meeting
Dear Town Board Members:
At your last regular meeting you stated that you are going to schedule a public meeting in which you are going to have professionals attend to answer specific questions concerning the proposed installation of the wind turbines.
As one opposed to this wind turbine program as it has been proposed, I have contributed to the effort to enlighten residents of particular concerns that establish my belief that these turbines as proposed are wrong for Cohocton. I have clearly identified areas where I believe the management of this program misses the mark.
Rather than a presentation of how “pretty” these things are, or a promotion filled with puff and sweet smelling powder, please make a diligent effort at presenting the entire picture. I have five areas that are central to my concern that I ask you to have professionally addressed at this public meeting:
The first is the economics. I would ask that you have a professional level presentation as to what the actual cost will be per kilowatt hour to produce this wind generated power. I ask that the analytical evaluation include all government subsidies, the tax savings from the P.I.L.O.T. program, N.Y.S.E.R.D.A incentives. Tax savings from accelerated depreciation and the actual cost paid to UPC for each kilowatt hour of generated electricity. I ask that this cost be compared to the traditional methods currently employed to produce electricity.
Since we are presented to be “co-investors” for the “good of our energy needs” with UPC on this program that is supposed to be good for Cohocton, Steuben County, the School, the State, and the Nation, I ask that you insist that UPC have available at this meeting in paper and electronic copy, a certified copy of the same business plan they are showing their financial investors. If we are truly investors, asked to invest in the future energy needs of our area with UPC, this should not be an unreasonable request. Surely we should be entitled to view this written Business Plan just as the other investors.
Included in this first analysis, I request an analytical financial evaluation in a percentage form, the actual amount of total yearly income to UPC that the proposed $160,000 to our Town represents. This will go a long way in showing the return on our investment in this program.
The second specific professional presentation that I am asking you to provide is a responsible explanation from both an economic and insurance advisor as to why a letter of credit, rather than a surety bond would be sufficient to protect the Town of Cohocton and its residents from liability and loss in the event of a bankruptcy on the part of UPC. Please ask this professional to explain the differences between a letter of credit and a surety bond.
The third presentation I would like the Town Board to personally present is their justification as to why they have proposed this wind turbine industrialization of Cohocton when it is in direct violation of our Town Comprehensive Plan.
The fourth area I would ask that you address is the specifics of how the Town thinks they can influence a private property by allowing a setback of only 500 from a property line when the turbines influence extend 1500 out as a result of you proposed law. How is someone going to be able to build closer to their property line if they want to? Will you have provision to make the wind company take down the turbine and place it 1500 ft. from this new building? I would like an answer presented as to why the Town Board thinks this will not be an issue for expensive lawsuits against the Town in the future? If you are going to reduce the use of these private properties, shouldn’t each private landowner that you put in this situation be entitled to a reduction in taxes? You are taking properties that are zoned residential, overlapping them with an industrial influence and restricting their currently zoned use. What if a landowner wants to subdivide and sell his property as building lots later? Do you see what this 1500 extension outward from these turbines does in this situation?
The fifth area of presentation I think you need to present is that of fire protection preparedness. I have brought this subject up before and it has been spun into a supposed disrespect of the fire department from me. This is not the case. I support the fire department, both publicly and financially. You are putting these volunteers into a situation where they do not have the equipment necessary to respond effectively and in a timely manner to the HAZMAT issues these turbines bring with them. I would like to see a presentation how the Town is prepared to help these good men and women fight a 500 gallon hydraulic oil fire 265 ft in the air at the hub of these turbines? They will need more than courage and ingenuity; they need tools to be effective.
There is millions of dollars worth of timber growing on these side hills. I am not saying that these fires will burn down these trees. I am saying that a simple ground fire sweeping through a forest can damage trees in such a way that although they may stand and grow for years to come, the damage sustained during fire can deteriorate their quality as potential timber producing trees. How many good boards can you get out of a tree that is hollow from fire damage?
This pseudo-environmentalist wind turbine program has the potential to devastate the very environment it is purported to protect if you allow negligence and lack of preparation prior to its installation. Again, please … no fluff; present us with a credible report of how you will deal with preparing our fire department. How are you going to pay for the new tools they need prior to these turbines being put up? Maybe UPC will donate a silver plated bucket to our firefighters inscribed with the words “I think I can” along with a sling shot big enough to launch this bucket 265 ft in the air filled with some foam to fight the oil fire. I use humor to emphasize this point, but … it is not funny. Your lack of attention to this point so far demonstrates just how unprepared you are and are apparently willing to remain.
Although I am positioned in what seems to be an adversarial stance against the Town Board, I would like to offer justification for being so. If you correctly recall, at the January 23rd Open Public Meeting that was held at the school, I stood up and asked several questions. At first, I was accommodated with polite but vague answers. Because I was not satisfied with the responses given, I pressed further with more pointed questions that were without a doubt well within my right to ask, being I have been a resident in this Town for eighteen years. My more pointed questions led to not just vague answers at that point, but rather a consciences effort to silence me.
I take no ego trip in calling public officials to accountability, instead I consider it my civic duty that was given to me as a benefactor of sacred privileges from those that have given their lives in military service to secure and protect them. My relatives, and probably yours, died to insure that we would have the freedom to live in a Country where our government would have the solemn responsibility to represent the people fairly. As you know, one of the checks in this democratic society we live in is for each citizen to call their government to accountability. This maintains balance and preserves stability.
I submit respectfully and without malice: You have been credited in public by the wind turbine supporters for all your hard work on this project, yet when I questioned Wayne Hunt as to his personal understanding of the economic issues surrounding this project, he had no answers. I challenge you to present to the residents of Cohocton a balanced presentation of all facets of this wind turbine program. Show us that you are seeking to be diligent to protect, preserve, enrich and honor our American way of life. Protect the rights we have and do not allow your Town to become the victim of a corporate enrichment scheme. It goes without saying that you are obligated to present us with a fair, open, transparent and professional assessment of this issue at the up and coming public meeting.
I have challenged Wayne Hunt and Jack Zigenfus to come out into the public and debate these points with me in a respectful point by point discussion and have been declined. If your position is defendable, come out and defend it in public, point by point with me. You can put all the shows on you want in which the public is not allowed to participate to try to promote this program, require that we submit our responses in writing which are never addressed, but each time you do you are losing credibility. As a citizen, I demand that you present us with a fair, balanced program in which both sides are represented. I call on those members of the Town Board that are conscientious, to exercise your responsibility to reign in other members who have left the principles of democracy and have replaced them with a self seeking agenda. This is not what the blood of your forefathers was spilled all over the world on foreign soil for.
This in not “LONG, LONG AGO … IN A KINGDOM NOT SO FAR AWAY ON THE ISLE OF LIVING” as portrayed by a misinformed and deceived supporter of “Yes!” in The Valley News, this is Cohocton in the here and now where there is no dictatorial King (or at least there is not supposed to be). Some are resentful at my aggressive stance on this issue. I am only aggressive in direct response to the dictatorial stance of my government.
Sincerely,
Robert C. Strasburg II
Cohocton, NY 14826
Re: Upcoming Open Public Meeting
Dear Town Board Members:
At your last regular meeting you stated that you are going to schedule a public meeting in which you are going to have professionals attend to answer specific questions concerning the proposed installation of the wind turbines.
As one opposed to this wind turbine program as it has been proposed, I have contributed to the effort to enlighten residents of particular concerns that establish my belief that these turbines as proposed are wrong for Cohocton. I have clearly identified areas where I believe the management of this program misses the mark.
Rather than a presentation of how “pretty” these things are, or a promotion filled with puff and sweet smelling powder, please make a diligent effort at presenting the entire picture. I have five areas that are central to my concern that I ask you to have professionally addressed at this public meeting:
The first is the economics. I would ask that you have a professional level presentation as to what the actual cost will be per kilowatt hour to produce this wind generated power. I ask that the analytical evaluation include all government subsidies, the tax savings from the P.I.L.O.T. program, N.Y.S.E.R.D.A incentives. Tax savings from accelerated depreciation and the actual cost paid to UPC for each kilowatt hour of generated electricity. I ask that this cost be compared to the traditional methods currently employed to produce electricity.
Since we are presented to be “co-investors” for the “good of our energy needs” with UPC on this program that is supposed to be good for Cohocton, Steuben County, the School, the State, and the Nation, I ask that you insist that UPC have available at this meeting in paper and electronic copy, a certified copy of the same business plan they are showing their financial investors. If we are truly investors, asked to invest in the future energy needs of our area with UPC, this should not be an unreasonable request. Surely we should be entitled to view this written Business Plan just as the other investors.
Included in this first analysis, I request an analytical financial evaluation in a percentage form, the actual amount of total yearly income to UPC that the proposed $160,000 to our Town represents. This will go a long way in showing the return on our investment in this program.
The second specific professional presentation that I am asking you to provide is a responsible explanation from both an economic and insurance advisor as to why a letter of credit, rather than a surety bond would be sufficient to protect the Town of Cohocton and its residents from liability and loss in the event of a bankruptcy on the part of UPC. Please ask this professional to explain the differences between a letter of credit and a surety bond.
The third presentation I would like the Town Board to personally present is their justification as to why they have proposed this wind turbine industrialization of Cohocton when it is in direct violation of our Town Comprehensive Plan.
The fourth area I would ask that you address is the specifics of how the Town thinks they can influence a private property by allowing a setback of only 500 from a property line when the turbines influence extend 1500 out as a result of you proposed law. How is someone going to be able to build closer to their property line if they want to? Will you have provision to make the wind company take down the turbine and place it 1500 ft. from this new building? I would like an answer presented as to why the Town Board thinks this will not be an issue for expensive lawsuits against the Town in the future? If you are going to reduce the use of these private properties, shouldn’t each private landowner that you put in this situation be entitled to a reduction in taxes? You are taking properties that are zoned residential, overlapping them with an industrial influence and restricting their currently zoned use. What if a landowner wants to subdivide and sell his property as building lots later? Do you see what this 1500 extension outward from these turbines does in this situation?
The fifth area of presentation I think you need to present is that of fire protection preparedness. I have brought this subject up before and it has been spun into a supposed disrespect of the fire department from me. This is not the case. I support the fire department, both publicly and financially. You are putting these volunteers into a situation where they do not have the equipment necessary to respond effectively and in a timely manner to the HAZMAT issues these turbines bring with them. I would like to see a presentation how the Town is prepared to help these good men and women fight a 500 gallon hydraulic oil fire 265 ft in the air at the hub of these turbines? They will need more than courage and ingenuity; they need tools to be effective.
There is millions of dollars worth of timber growing on these side hills. I am not saying that these fires will burn down these trees. I am saying that a simple ground fire sweeping through a forest can damage trees in such a way that although they may stand and grow for years to come, the damage sustained during fire can deteriorate their quality as potential timber producing trees. How many good boards can you get out of a tree that is hollow from fire damage?
This pseudo-environmentalist wind turbine program has the potential to devastate the very environment it is purported to protect if you allow negligence and lack of preparation prior to its installation. Again, please … no fluff; present us with a credible report of how you will deal with preparing our fire department. How are you going to pay for the new tools they need prior to these turbines being put up? Maybe UPC will donate a silver plated bucket to our firefighters inscribed with the words “I think I can” along with a sling shot big enough to launch this bucket 265 ft in the air filled with some foam to fight the oil fire. I use humor to emphasize this point, but … it is not funny. Your lack of attention to this point so far demonstrates just how unprepared you are and are apparently willing to remain.
Although I am positioned in what seems to be an adversarial stance against the Town Board, I would like to offer justification for being so. If you correctly recall, at the January 23rd Open Public Meeting that was held at the school, I stood up and asked several questions. At first, I was accommodated with polite but vague answers. Because I was not satisfied with the responses given, I pressed further with more pointed questions that were without a doubt well within my right to ask, being I have been a resident in this Town for eighteen years. My more pointed questions led to not just vague answers at that point, but rather a consciences effort to silence me.
I take no ego trip in calling public officials to accountability, instead I consider it my civic duty that was given to me as a benefactor of sacred privileges from those that have given their lives in military service to secure and protect them. My relatives, and probably yours, died to insure that we would have the freedom to live in a Country where our government would have the solemn responsibility to represent the people fairly. As you know, one of the checks in this democratic society we live in is for each citizen to call their government to accountability. This maintains balance and preserves stability.
I submit respectfully and without malice: You have been credited in public by the wind turbine supporters for all your hard work on this project, yet when I questioned Wayne Hunt as to his personal understanding of the economic issues surrounding this project, he had no answers. I challenge you to present to the residents of Cohocton a balanced presentation of all facets of this wind turbine program. Show us that you are seeking to be diligent to protect, preserve, enrich and honor our American way of life. Protect the rights we have and do not allow your Town to become the victim of a corporate enrichment scheme. It goes without saying that you are obligated to present us with a fair, open, transparent and professional assessment of this issue at the up and coming public meeting.
I have challenged Wayne Hunt and Jack Zigenfus to come out into the public and debate these points with me in a respectful point by point discussion and have been declined. If your position is defendable, come out and defend it in public, point by point with me. You can put all the shows on you want in which the public is not allowed to participate to try to promote this program, require that we submit our responses in writing which are never addressed, but each time you do you are losing credibility. As a citizen, I demand that you present us with a fair, balanced program in which both sides are represented. I call on those members of the Town Board that are conscientious, to exercise your responsibility to reign in other members who have left the principles of democracy and have replaced them with a self seeking agenda. This is not what the blood of your forefathers was spilled all over the world on foreign soil for.
This in not “LONG, LONG AGO … IN A KINGDOM NOT SO FAR AWAY ON THE ISLE OF LIVING” as portrayed by a misinformed and deceived supporter of “Yes!” in The Valley News, this is Cohocton in the here and now where there is no dictatorial King (or at least there is not supposed to be). Some are resentful at my aggressive stance on this issue. I am only aggressive in direct response to the dictatorial stance of my government.
Sincerely,
Robert C. Strasburg II
Research wind farms' effects
We all know that Rochester is surrounded by great scenery and none is better than the area to our south — at least for now.
Some of the small towns in the Southern Tier are working on wind farm projects, which will consist of hundreds of enormously tall (400-foot) towers with wind turbines at the top. These wind towers will be erected on the top of the high hills, destroying the beauty of the area.
These projects are being heavily subsidized by our tax dollars and are supposed to be the answer to our energy problems. However, there are many issues related to wind turbines: actual efficiency of wind power; health issues; who really will profit from them; environmental issues; decline in property values; and, not the least, desecration of the beautiful scenery.
Let's find better ways of solving energy problems without destroying the beauty around us.
JUDITH BROWN IRONDEQUOIT
Some of the small towns in the Southern Tier are working on wind farm projects, which will consist of hundreds of enormously tall (400-foot) towers with wind turbines at the top. These wind towers will be erected on the top of the high hills, destroying the beauty of the area.
These projects are being heavily subsidized by our tax dollars and are supposed to be the answer to our energy problems. However, there are many issues related to wind turbines: actual efficiency of wind power; health issues; who really will profit from them; environmental issues; decline in property values; and, not the least, desecration of the beautiful scenery.
Let's find better ways of solving energy problems without destroying the beauty around us.
JUDITH BROWN IRONDEQUOIT
Friday, July 07, 2006
July 6, 2006 OPEN LETTER TO ALL IN THE TOWN OF COHOCTON by Robert C. Strasburg II
I attended the Cohocton Planning Board meeting tonight and was able to have a conversation with Councilman Wayne Hunt after the meeting. If you remember in our open public meetings I recounted the story of an earlier conversation with Wayne as to why he was pushing for these turbines in our Town. He told me, “for the revenue”. I asked him, what revenue? He then told me that “well … we do not know”. Tonight when I talked to Wayne, the story has changed.
Let me break away for a minute and explain something. I have known Wayne Hunt for many years now because he works at the local hardware and he has been a lot of help to me and is very knowledgeable in his industry. As you all know, we have been “sparing” with each other over this issue of wind turbines. Tonight I was able to make him understand that my sparing with him has nothing personal attached to it. We disagree on this issue, but that is as far as it goes. I make no personal attacks against him as a person; it is his judgment relative to managing this wind turbine project I am calling into question.
Wayne was touting the supposed revenue that we would get from these turbines and now that UPC has released what we will actually get from the IDA brokered agreement on the P.I.L.O.T. funds, the truth is out. The income we stand to receive as a Town is far from what Wayne had hoped, and now his story has changed. Since the money from the P.I.L.O.T. funds is so minimal, he now is touting another story. He is still committed to these wind turbines, but it is now because “it is the right thing to do for energy”.
I am not going to deviate off into why this is such a ludicrous position to take. If you are interested in seeing if these turbines will make any significant contribution to solving our energy needs, please go to http://www.windaction.org/documents/1415 (download PDF file at bottom and read) and http://www.savewesternny.org/pdf/Schleede-BigMoney-20050414.pdf for detailed reports on the subject. The point of this letter is to alert this Town to a real problem we have. Now remember, this is not a personal attack against Wayne Hunt. This is a revelation of truth.
As a business man, I made the statement to Wayne Hunt that we as co-investors with this Wind Company ought to be entitled to see the Wind Company’s Business Plan, just as any other investor they have is entitle to. He looked at me puzzled and said, Bob, you can’t got to General Motors and ask for their business plan can you?” I said, Wayne, I am not a co-investor with General Motors. Wayne said, “how are we co-investors with the Wind Company?” Now, if you did not understand what is revealed by his last question to me, please go back and re-read his question. My heart fell inside me and a cold feeling of utter disbelief engulfed my entire soul.
This man, as good a person as he is, is so far out of touch with the realities of this entire issue, I now sincerely doubt his ability to effectively contribute to the leadership of this Town. If we are not co-investors with this Wind Company, then I ask you, what are we? We are investing our Town, all we have worked for, the sacred beauty of this area, our privacy, our small Town culture, and all for a cause that these wind turbines insignificantly affect … our need for electricity.
When one figures all the government subsidies (corporate welfare), the tax savings to the Wind Company created by the accelerated depreciation of these turbines, the revenue created for the Wind Company when they sell the electricity generated, the .02 per kilowatt hour kickback from N.Y.S.E.R.D.A., as best as I can tell, this Wind Company is in line to make over $25,000,000.00 per year off phase 1 and 2 of their program in our Town. Out of that they want to offer us 6/10ths of 1% of this revenue, or $160,000. L
I questioned Wayne on his understanding of the income stream for this Wind Company and folks, I am sad to tell you … this man has no clue! Remember, this is nothing personal. This man, as much as I like him as a person, is operating well outside of his league here. I challenge any Board member, either from the Town Board or the Planning Board, or any resident to ask Wayne his understanding of the income stream and how it breaks down in components of government subsidies, and what the true cost per kilowatt hour of this electricity really is. He cannot tell you! He is the self appointed leader of this parade and he is willfully void of understanding on the entire subject. This is nothing short of a corporate enrichment scam surpassing that of ENRON! It is not that he cannot see it, he does not want to!
Now I understand why all our effort to bring true facts to the surface about property value, the need to protect our Town from the liabilities these turbines bring with a well thought out plan and proper cash bonding, setbacks that do not devalue our properties nor restrict our future use of them, have all gone unnoticed by him. He has no interest in them. He is marching to the beat of a different drum as he leads his parade.
Wayne Hunt is committed to forcing these 400 ft. tall living abortions on our hills with insufficient safeguards and his mind is made up … the facts do not matter to him. He calls sound science and proven principles of good business practices including proper planning, “fools gold off the internet”. He will not debate me in public; he will not sit down in front of his constituents and defend his position. Wayne Hunt is an asset to the local hardware, but a liability to our Town in the position he is in. Wayne is the kind of man personally that I cannot help but like, but he does not belong in the position he is in as Councilman and he will never get my future vote for office. Cohocton ... we have a very serious problem with this man in office.
Sincerely,
Robert C. Strasburg II
Let me break away for a minute and explain something. I have known Wayne Hunt for many years now because he works at the local hardware and he has been a lot of help to me and is very knowledgeable in his industry. As you all know, we have been “sparing” with each other over this issue of wind turbines. Tonight I was able to make him understand that my sparing with him has nothing personal attached to it. We disagree on this issue, but that is as far as it goes. I make no personal attacks against him as a person; it is his judgment relative to managing this wind turbine project I am calling into question.
Wayne was touting the supposed revenue that we would get from these turbines and now that UPC has released what we will actually get from the IDA brokered agreement on the P.I.L.O.T. funds, the truth is out. The income we stand to receive as a Town is far from what Wayne had hoped, and now his story has changed. Since the money from the P.I.L.O.T. funds is so minimal, he now is touting another story. He is still committed to these wind turbines, but it is now because “it is the right thing to do for energy”.
I am not going to deviate off into why this is such a ludicrous position to take. If you are interested in seeing if these turbines will make any significant contribution to solving our energy needs, please go to http://www.windaction.org/documents/1415 (download PDF file at bottom and read) and http://www.savewesternny.org/pdf/Schleede-BigMoney-20050414.pdf for detailed reports on the subject. The point of this letter is to alert this Town to a real problem we have. Now remember, this is not a personal attack against Wayne Hunt. This is a revelation of truth.
As a business man, I made the statement to Wayne Hunt that we as co-investors with this Wind Company ought to be entitled to see the Wind Company’s Business Plan, just as any other investor they have is entitle to. He looked at me puzzled and said, Bob, you can’t got to General Motors and ask for their business plan can you?” I said, Wayne, I am not a co-investor with General Motors. Wayne said, “how are we co-investors with the Wind Company?” Now, if you did not understand what is revealed by his last question to me, please go back and re-read his question. My heart fell inside me and a cold feeling of utter disbelief engulfed my entire soul.
This man, as good a person as he is, is so far out of touch with the realities of this entire issue, I now sincerely doubt his ability to effectively contribute to the leadership of this Town. If we are not co-investors with this Wind Company, then I ask you, what are we? We are investing our Town, all we have worked for, the sacred beauty of this area, our privacy, our small Town culture, and all for a cause that these wind turbines insignificantly affect … our need for electricity.
When one figures all the government subsidies (corporate welfare), the tax savings to the Wind Company created by the accelerated depreciation of these turbines, the revenue created for the Wind Company when they sell the electricity generated, the .02 per kilowatt hour kickback from N.Y.S.E.R.D.A., as best as I can tell, this Wind Company is in line to make over $25,000,000.00 per year off phase 1 and 2 of their program in our Town. Out of that they want to offer us 6/10ths of 1% of this revenue, or $160,000. L
I questioned Wayne on his understanding of the income stream for this Wind Company and folks, I am sad to tell you … this man has no clue! Remember, this is nothing personal. This man, as much as I like him as a person, is operating well outside of his league here. I challenge any Board member, either from the Town Board or the Planning Board, or any resident to ask Wayne his understanding of the income stream and how it breaks down in components of government subsidies, and what the true cost per kilowatt hour of this electricity really is. He cannot tell you! He is the self appointed leader of this parade and he is willfully void of understanding on the entire subject. This is nothing short of a corporate enrichment scam surpassing that of ENRON! It is not that he cannot see it, he does not want to!
Now I understand why all our effort to bring true facts to the surface about property value, the need to protect our Town from the liabilities these turbines bring with a well thought out plan and proper cash bonding, setbacks that do not devalue our properties nor restrict our future use of them, have all gone unnoticed by him. He has no interest in them. He is marching to the beat of a different drum as he leads his parade.
Wayne Hunt is committed to forcing these 400 ft. tall living abortions on our hills with insufficient safeguards and his mind is made up … the facts do not matter to him. He calls sound science and proven principles of good business practices including proper planning, “fools gold off the internet”. He will not debate me in public; he will not sit down in front of his constituents and defend his position. Wayne Hunt is an asset to the local hardware, but a liability to our Town in the position he is in. Wayne is the kind of man personally that I cannot help but like, but he does not belong in the position he is in as Councilman and he will never get my future vote for office. Cohocton ... we have a very serious problem with this man in office.
Sincerely,
Robert C. Strasburg II
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Who are these Cohocton Wind Watch people??? by John Bose
Question: Who are these Cohocton Wind Watch people???
Answer:*We are citizens, landowners, taxpayers, voters and neighbors of Cohocton
· We are people who have seen how a well-meaning town board, wasted millions of taxpayers’ dollars because they believed a flawed financial plan that said the “Fast Ferry” was a good idea. They didn’t question the plan or who sponsored it.
· We are people who came here by choice not by birth. We love the area with all its’ natural beauty and quiet.
· We respect our neighbors rights to do what they want as long as it doesn’t interfere with our rights. Rights are not a function of longevity.
· We are for clean safe power. We do not believe wind turbines are either clean or safe. Unwanted noise is every bit a form of pollution as smoke from a coal burning power plant.
· We know wind turbines make noise, lots of noise. Why would a turbine company in Wisconsin offer to buy six parcels of land that were deemed to be uninhabitable after sound tests were performed. Some of us have heard these giants first hand; some have heard tapes of their noise. And yet others know that any time a wind company is willing to buy land because their turbines are too loud that they must be making some big time noise.
· Most of us think that the wind power industry is just a Government Welfare scheme. It’s another way for the Government to make us think they’re doing something to help our energy problem. If wind power were a good idea there wouldn’t need to be a mandate for the GRID to pay for it. If it were a good idea there wouldn’t need to be millions of dollars spent for grant money. The law makers would have us believe that more gun control laws would keep guns from the hands of the bad guys, this hasn’t worked so far has it? Throwing good taxpayer dollars into wind power won’t work either. In order for wind power to be a viable source of energy it must be constant and reliable, neither is true of wind power. Government welfare is never a good thing.
· We heard we would get free electricity, that wasn’t true. We were told turbines weren’t loud, that wasn’t true either. No oil or coal will be saved either. Worldwide thousands of windmills have yet to replace a single fossil fuel plant. We don’t like to be lied to.
John Bose
Answer:*We are citizens, landowners, taxpayers, voters and neighbors of Cohocton
· We are people who have seen how a well-meaning town board, wasted millions of taxpayers’ dollars because they believed a flawed financial plan that said the “Fast Ferry” was a good idea. They didn’t question the plan or who sponsored it.
· We are people who came here by choice not by birth. We love the area with all its’ natural beauty and quiet.
· We respect our neighbors rights to do what they want as long as it doesn’t interfere with our rights. Rights are not a function of longevity.
· We are for clean safe power. We do not believe wind turbines are either clean or safe. Unwanted noise is every bit a form of pollution as smoke from a coal burning power plant.
· We know wind turbines make noise, lots of noise. Why would a turbine company in Wisconsin offer to buy six parcels of land that were deemed to be uninhabitable after sound tests were performed. Some of us have heard these giants first hand; some have heard tapes of their noise. And yet others know that any time a wind company is willing to buy land because their turbines are too loud that they must be making some big time noise.
· Most of us think that the wind power industry is just a Government Welfare scheme. It’s another way for the Government to make us think they’re doing something to help our energy problem. If wind power were a good idea there wouldn’t need to be a mandate for the GRID to pay for it. If it were a good idea there wouldn’t need to be millions of dollars spent for grant money. The law makers would have us believe that more gun control laws would keep guns from the hands of the bad guys, this hasn’t worked so far has it? Throwing good taxpayer dollars into wind power won’t work either. In order for wind power to be a viable source of energy it must be constant and reliable, neither is true of wind power. Government welfare is never a good thing.
· We heard we would get free electricity, that wasn’t true. We were told turbines weren’t loud, that wasn’t true either. No oil or coal will be saved either. Worldwide thousands of windmills have yet to replace a single fossil fuel plant. We don’t like to be lied to.
John Bose
Gary and Pat Struck Statement
P.O. Box 52
Cohocton, New York 14826
(585) 534-5581
http://cohoctonwindwatch.org
cohoctonwindwatch@gmail.com
CWW stands for Cohocton Wind Watch. But what does it really stand for? The CWW is a source of documented information for the good of all. We are a group of concerned citizens who have worked extremely hard, in a short period of time, to uncover critical information to protect everyone in this community, including the lease owners of these wind turbines.
It is obvious that we are opposed to the construction of wind turbines, but if they have to come, then they should be built properly and safely for all.
Those of us who are directly affected by the construction of wind turbines, are concerned first, for our own safety and the safety of others, second, depreciating land value, third, the view shed of this beautiful part of the country we call home. No doubt those of you living in the valleys and village will not be affected as drastically as those living on top of these hills next door to the turbines. However there will be an effect for all.
It is unfortunate that we are considered the bad guys, when all we're doing is uncovering important information and asking questions that no one seems to have answers to. Maybe wind energy is too new to have answers for. If that's the case then lets slow down until we can get better answers.
Gary and Pat Struck
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Harness Wind Power
07-05-2006%2010.rtf%3B20.rtf%3B39AM.rtf
Harnessing wind power
BY ELMER PLOETZ
NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Frank Tatar has taken his inspiration from the old windmill in Wood-lawn, near the Ford Stamping Plant
Built for $1.6 million in 1984, the 120-foot turbine stood for about 4V4 years without ever generating a commercial kilowatt.
Tatar, an 88-year-old inventor of the American garage variety, figured there had to be a better way. And for the past 20 years, he has been pursuing it in his Blasdell shop.
"Propeller mills have so many moving parts, thaf s why they break down," Tatar says of the 300-foot-high turbines that are popping up around the state. "Ours is a wind panel. It's quite different".
Specifically, it is 'Vertical axis" wind power.
Tatar has built and patented a turbine behind his shop on the appropriately named Electric Avenue that looks like a silo, about 20 feet high and 40 feet in diameter.
Its key is a bank of neodymium iron boron magnets — the strongest kind of magnet in the world — that essentially lift the panels over the generating device the same way maglev (magnetic levitation) trains are lifted off railroad tracks to reduce resistence.
Then, it's a matter of letting the wind catch the panels — or wind sails — to rotate the device and generate electricity.
Tatar figures he has spent about $1.2 million on the project, money raised from selling his Windfall Fjiergy stocks and from his own savings. He ran a novelty production company out of the site for years before retiring.
The project is attractive in several areas. He says the towers could be anywhere from 100 to 200 feet high, reducing the impact on the landscape by propeller towers.
They operate on less wind than propeller turbines, he says, and could be used at industrial and commercial sites to provide on-site power without having the environmental impact of the taller "horizontal axis" projects.
One of his models is priced at $695,000, compared with about $1.5 million for most of the turbine towers today.
(read more from above link)
Harnessing wind power
BY ELMER PLOETZ
NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Frank Tatar has taken his inspiration from the old windmill in Wood-lawn, near the Ford Stamping Plant
Built for $1.6 million in 1984, the 120-foot turbine stood for about 4V4 years without ever generating a commercial kilowatt.
Tatar, an 88-year-old inventor of the American garage variety, figured there had to be a better way. And for the past 20 years, he has been pursuing it in his Blasdell shop.
"Propeller mills have so many moving parts, thaf s why they break down," Tatar says of the 300-foot-high turbines that are popping up around the state. "Ours is a wind panel. It's quite different".
Specifically, it is 'Vertical axis" wind power.
Tatar has built and patented a turbine behind his shop on the appropriately named Electric Avenue that looks like a silo, about 20 feet high and 40 feet in diameter.
Its key is a bank of neodymium iron boron magnets — the strongest kind of magnet in the world — that essentially lift the panels over the generating device the same way maglev (magnetic levitation) trains are lifted off railroad tracks to reduce resistence.
Then, it's a matter of letting the wind catch the panels — or wind sails — to rotate the device and generate electricity.
Tatar figures he has spent about $1.2 million on the project, money raised from selling his Windfall Fjiergy stocks and from his own savings. He ran a novelty production company out of the site for years before retiring.
The project is attractive in several areas. He says the towers could be anywhere from 100 to 200 feet high, reducing the impact on the landscape by propeller towers.
They operate on less wind than propeller turbines, he says, and could be used at industrial and commercial sites to provide on-site power without having the environmental impact of the taller "horizontal axis" projects.
One of his models is priced at $695,000, compared with about $1.5 million for most of the turbine towers today.
(read more from above link)
WAYLAND PASSES LAW REGULATING WIND ENERGY TAX EXEMPTION by Michelle King/staff writer
Wayland- With wind farm companies proposing plans nearby, the Town of Wayland is thinking ahead.
On June 19, the town board had a public hearing and passed Local Law No. 1 on the issue of tax exemption for wind companies.
“The local law is giving us the authority to be a part of the exemption status when a company comes into town, and they apply for an exemption in relation to wind farms and energy,” town Clerk Beverly L. Robinson, said. “By passing it, it entitles us to take part in deciding whatever exemption they may be entitled to because if you don’t pass it you don’t have a say, and the local school district will. It allows the township a say into how much of an exemption a town can get.”
Traditionally, what happens is a wind turbine company will inform the municipality they would like to do business in the town. After that, they may request a break in taxes, Robinson explained.
Local Law No. 1 has already been filed with the state Secretary of State in Albany.
“Their main goal was to enhance the town and protect them at the same time,” Robinson said. “To not discourage people with alternative energy, but at the same token we have to watch out for the people in the town.”
In addition, Local Law No. 2 regarding wind farm development is in the works. According to the draft, it will include specifics on creating a six-month moratorium if a wind farm company proposes a plan. A public hearing for the second law will be at 7 p.m. July 17 at the town hall.
The law presently outlines a rationale for the moratorium. For example, section two states: “The activity affected by this moratorium is to temporarily prohibit the project review, issuance of permits or construction of any wind powered electricity generating facilities within the Town of Wayland.”
Robinson said the town is trying to be proactive on the issue.
“We are trying to get all the ducks in a row,” she said. “In case a company does come, they will have everything in place for protection of the town and yet will be welcoming a new enterprise at the same time.”
Although no companies have recently presented a wind energy farm for the town, Robinson said several years ago one did just that. The initiation and surrounding townships, such as Cohocton, has prompted the board to pass the local laws, she added.
Another highlighted reason for Local Law No. 2 is environmental and health concerns of wind energy.
Under section three, the mission statement reads: “This moratorium is necessary to preserve and protect the health and safety and welfare of residents of the Town of Wayland, and to enable town officials to comprehensively address the issues involved with the development of residential, commercial and industry wind powered electricity generating facilities.
If development of this type of facility were allowed to proceed during the duration of this moratorium, irreversible damage to the health and safety of residents, adverse environmental impacts, and/or development not in consonance with the town’s comprehensive plan may occur, it continues.
On June 19, the town board had a public hearing and passed Local Law No. 1 on the issue of tax exemption for wind companies.
“The local law is giving us the authority to be a part of the exemption status when a company comes into town, and they apply for an exemption in relation to wind farms and energy,” town Clerk Beverly L. Robinson, said. “By passing it, it entitles us to take part in deciding whatever exemption they may be entitled to because if you don’t pass it you don’t have a say, and the local school district will. It allows the township a say into how much of an exemption a town can get.”
Traditionally, what happens is a wind turbine company will inform the municipality they would like to do business in the town. After that, they may request a break in taxes, Robinson explained.
Local Law No. 1 has already been filed with the state Secretary of State in Albany.
“Their main goal was to enhance the town and protect them at the same time,” Robinson said. “To not discourage people with alternative energy, but at the same token we have to watch out for the people in the town.”
In addition, Local Law No. 2 regarding wind farm development is in the works. According to the draft, it will include specifics on creating a six-month moratorium if a wind farm company proposes a plan. A public hearing for the second law will be at 7 p.m. July 17 at the town hall.
The law presently outlines a rationale for the moratorium. For example, section two states: “The activity affected by this moratorium is to temporarily prohibit the project review, issuance of permits or construction of any wind powered electricity generating facilities within the Town of Wayland.”
Robinson said the town is trying to be proactive on the issue.
“We are trying to get all the ducks in a row,” she said. “In case a company does come, they will have everything in place for protection of the town and yet will be welcoming a new enterprise at the same time.”
Although no companies have recently presented a wind energy farm for the town, Robinson said several years ago one did just that. The initiation and surrounding townships, such as Cohocton, has prompted the board to pass the local laws, she added.
Another highlighted reason for Local Law No. 2 is environmental and health concerns of wind energy.
Under section three, the mission statement reads: “This moratorium is necessary to preserve and protect the health and safety and welfare of residents of the Town of Wayland, and to enable town officials to comprehensively address the issues involved with the development of residential, commercial and industry wind powered electricity generating facilities.
If development of this type of facility were allowed to proceed during the duration of this moratorium, irreversible damage to the health and safety of residents, adverse environmental impacts, and/or development not in consonance with the town’s comprehensive plan may occur, it continues.
Friday, June 30, 2006
CWW UNDER ATTACK BY YES WIND & HUNT NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND by Karl Palmiter
In response to Hunt’s letter in the Valley News. He is correct, the town is under attack, but it’s under attack from UPC and some board members along with Yes Wind, who are trying to destroy this country side and the lives of the people who live out here where these turbines are going to be. We are simply trying to defend ourselves from those bullying and attacking us.
You refuse to answer questions that desperately influence our lives and residence. You said yourself you don’t have answers to a lot of questions, yet you are committed to going forward with this project that is foolhardy. Without answers how can you possibly feel that the community can trust your judgment like you telling us to?
You like to use False information such as cutting down on air pollution from fossil fuels, or cutting down on dependence of foreign oil and so on. We are for helping our environment, but it is not wind turbines. It is a proven fact that wind turbines won’t solve the problem. If you would be honest and actually do research other than what UPC and other town supervisors from towns that also wanted these turbines in like yourselves, you would see that no conventional power plants anywhere in the world have been shut down because of wind turbines. They provide a Glut of electricity at times, and nothing at other times. This scenario that you are promoting reminds me of a want to be general in history. He wouldn’t’ believe his subordinates, he had all the knowledge he needed and he was determined to stay the course. YES he did become famous his name was GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER.
You refuse to answer questions that desperately influence our lives and residence. You said yourself you don’t have answers to a lot of questions, yet you are committed to going forward with this project that is foolhardy. Without answers how can you possibly feel that the community can trust your judgment like you telling us to?
You like to use False information such as cutting down on air pollution from fossil fuels, or cutting down on dependence of foreign oil and so on. We are for helping our environment, but it is not wind turbines. It is a proven fact that wind turbines won’t solve the problem. If you would be honest and actually do research other than what UPC and other town supervisors from towns that also wanted these turbines in like yourselves, you would see that no conventional power plants anywhere in the world have been shut down because of wind turbines. They provide a Glut of electricity at times, and nothing at other times. This scenario that you are promoting reminds me of a want to be general in history. He wouldn’t’ believe his subordinates, he had all the knowledge he needed and he was determined to stay the course. YES he did become famous his name was GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
June 28 letter to Cohocton Planning Board by Don Sandford
Dear Chairman Fox & members of T/ Cohocton Planning Board:
This past Monday on radio station 1480 AM, Hornell, NY commentator Keven Dorin had as his guest Mr. Larry Mitchell, a Texan, based now in Washington D.C. Mr. Mitchell is C.E.O. of The American Corn Growers Association, phone #202-835-0330, who was referred to Mr. Dorin by a Mr. Carroll Wade of Jasper, NY, 607-792-3662, a member of The National Farm Organization. The theme of the discussion had to do with needed investigation by town board members in formulating a more lucrative return for towns using grants & tax incentives from private enterprise. In years past, Mr. Wade and Mitchell were part of a national committee to come up with a plan for energy in the future. Ethenol from corn is one source which is know by most people and wind power another, but with a twist. Both are convinced that making deals with companies like UPC is not in the best interest of the town and that with more investigative work by boards such as yours you could find out the same information and do so much better. There are numerous grants and tax write-offs by international companies just waiting to be asked. An example is “John Deere Wind Power”, a contact being a Mr.Carl Hing Mertinins 515-267-4250, which Mr.Wade suggest the planning board contact. Mr. Wade, a farmer in Jasper, has been involved with this form of energy nationally from its inception in the United States, knows people involved from Minnesota to Illinois and beyond and during out 1-1/2 hour phone conversation was a sincere and sensible advocate with facts and figures to back up his positions and said if he could assist your board he would be glad to do so and feel free to contact him. It’s very important to him to see this done right everywhere!
My contention has been from the beginning, a much better business plan needs to be in place along with all the safe guards protecting the financial value of homes, property and quality of life issues of the people living near and effect by the turbines.
Perhaps this information will be useful to you. You have to understand that myself and others like me are trying to get a point across that there are many visions and ideas out there just waiting to be discovered by people such as the planning board and you took the job to do justice for everybody. Please give Mr.Wade a call and find out for yourself what this “wind pioneer” has to say. As the lead agency, take all time the time you need to do a difficult job, but in the end, done with an open mind reaching a decision you can all be justly proud of!
(As a side note ,Mr Wade is also invoved with the “Farm-Aid” program started by Willie Nelson and others,which will have their fund raising concert in Philadelphia, Penn. Area this fall.)
Sincerely,
Done E. Sandford
This past Monday on radio station 1480 AM, Hornell, NY commentator Keven Dorin had as his guest Mr. Larry Mitchell, a Texan, based now in Washington D.C. Mr. Mitchell is C.E.O. of The American Corn Growers Association, phone #202-835-0330, who was referred to Mr. Dorin by a Mr. Carroll Wade of Jasper, NY, 607-792-3662, a member of The National Farm Organization. The theme of the discussion had to do with needed investigation by town board members in formulating a more lucrative return for towns using grants & tax incentives from private enterprise. In years past, Mr. Wade and Mitchell were part of a national committee to come up with a plan for energy in the future. Ethenol from corn is one source which is know by most people and wind power another, but with a twist. Both are convinced that making deals with companies like UPC is not in the best interest of the town and that with more investigative work by boards such as yours you could find out the same information and do so much better. There are numerous grants and tax write-offs by international companies just waiting to be asked. An example is “John Deere Wind Power”, a contact being a Mr.Carl Hing Mertinins 515-267-4250, which Mr.Wade suggest the planning board contact. Mr. Wade, a farmer in Jasper, has been involved with this form of energy nationally from its inception in the United States, knows people involved from Minnesota to Illinois and beyond and during out 1-1/2 hour phone conversation was a sincere and sensible advocate with facts and figures to back up his positions and said if he could assist your board he would be glad to do so and feel free to contact him. It’s very important to him to see this done right everywhere!
My contention has been from the beginning, a much better business plan needs to be in place along with all the safe guards protecting the financial value of homes, property and quality of life issues of the people living near and effect by the turbines.
Perhaps this information will be useful to you. You have to understand that myself and others like me are trying to get a point across that there are many visions and ideas out there just waiting to be discovered by people such as the planning board and you took the job to do justice for everybody. Please give Mr.Wade a call and find out for yourself what this “wind pioneer” has to say. As the lead agency, take all time the time you need to do a difficult job, but in the end, done with an open mind reaching a decision you can all be justly proud of!
(As a side note ,Mr Wade is also invoved with the “Farm-Aid” program started by Willie Nelson and others,which will have their fund raising concert in Philadelphia, Penn. Area this fall.)
Sincerely,
Done E. Sandford
June 28, 2006 letter to Senator Hillary Clinton by James Hall
June 28, 2006
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
United States Senate
476 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
James Hall
PO Box 657
Naples, NY 14512
RE: Follow-up to question asked at the “Alternative Energy in New York Conference” held at the Hyatt Regency Rochester, NY June 26, 2006
Senator Clinton,
During the Alternative Energy in New York Conference and in your speech you promoted the “so called” benefits of industrial wind turbine projects. The objective in asking the following question, during the Q & A session, was to bring to your attention the grave circumstances of the organized criminal wind project scheme that is being fostered upon the public, residents and property owners, especially in rural areas of New York State.
I asked for your assistance. “Senator Clinton we need your help. When will the federal government conduct an anti-trust and RICO investigation regarding the wind turbine developers, their predatory business practices and their collusion with Town, County, State governments and IDA agencies?”
The theft in value and uncompensated use of our properties by industrial wind developers in coordination with Town, Country, State and IDA agencies is of unprecedented scope and scale. The economic model for such wind developments cannot exist without substantial government subsidies. Electric generation from these wind turbines has a much higher cost, has no storage ability and is lost when the grid is supplied by long- term contract methods. Also the wind velocity in most of our state does not support consistent electric generation. Peer reviewed studies of public safety hazards have not been conducted in Upstate where icing will be a huge factor. There is no essential public benefit, while the destruction of agricultural and residential areas will be permanently affected.
Inadequate liability and property insurance coverage, as well as, indemnity protections for townships, leaseholders and residents, who will be obliged to live next to an industrial facility subject the entire community to unnecessary risk. Effective mandates for decommissioning, removal and restoration are noticeably absent from all these projects.
The public safety and the pristine environmental treasure of our land is being sacrificed upon the altar of greed as public officials eagerly enable their dishonest partnership that will only produce the systemic destruction of the landscape and our quality of our lives.
These unaccountable and LLC corporate developers, many with foreign financed and owned interests, and local leaseholders with wind contracts function under a wall of silence. Their projects conspire to steal the use and destroy any resale property values of residents who live in proximity to their industrial turbines. Placing such giant machines as high as 500’ with the same setback as their height next to a home is unconscionable.
Where is the duty and obligation of government at all levels to protect the public safety and safeguard the constitutional, equal protection and property rights of all taxpayers? How can our children be protected when the authorities betray their oaths of office for the price of a wind turbine site?
The pattern of turbine leases given to town officials and administrative cronies has been repeated throughout NYS. Town councilmen, relatives or family members routinely sit on boards that act as lead agencies. Their conflict of interests and suspect ethical conduct demand an official and wide scale federal investigation into this multi billion dollar racket. Anti-trust and RICO statures are being violated. NYS politicians will not intervene, claiming that it is a “local matter”. (see enclosed letter from NYS Assemblyman Bacalles)
The nature of the wind turbine fraud is historic and extends to the very foundation of our rule of law. The “Comprehensive Plans” of townships are being circumvented with the abuses of spot zoning, segmentation and avoidance of SEQR regulations. Court challenges and Article 78 actions abound, but no district attorney will step forward or honor their duty and investigate the trail of bribes and criminal conduct that is systemic in this industry of graft. Our NYS attorney general will not start a probe. Ordinary citizens need federal involvement to stop the corruption that is so rampant in the industrial wind projects.
The real and frightening prospect of private development eminent domain and condemnation looms over all NYS rural communities. With wind turbine site locations scattered among and adjacent to residential properties, our homes will become unlivable. Many taxpayers will not be able to sell and certainly will never receive replacement value costs. This injustice is a direct result from the complicity and illegal actions of an unholy alliance among corrupt proponents of a business plan designed to steal agricultural land for industrial use. PILOT tax programs are a scam and exist to bilk the remaining taxpayers. Commensurate and equitable taxes will not be accessed on such wind projects. Follow the money, who makes the public decisions, who benefits and who is responsible for condemning so many NYS citizens to a life sentence in an industrial hazard zone.
Senator Clinton will you intervene and use the enormous influence your office has in making a recommendation to the Department of Justice that a dedicated and trustworthy U.S. Attorney be assigned to undertake a full scale criminal investigation into the NY statewide business practices of the industrial wind developers and the respective town governments that have demonstrated malfeasance in their office?
I will end with your answer to me at the Alternative Energy in New York Conference: Thank You.
Cordially,
James Hall
PO Box 657
Naples, NY 14512
(585) 534-5581
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
United States Senate
476 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
James Hall
PO Box 657
Naples, NY 14512
RE: Follow-up to question asked at the “Alternative Energy in New York Conference” held at the Hyatt Regency Rochester, NY June 26, 2006
Senator Clinton,
During the Alternative Energy in New York Conference and in your speech you promoted the “so called” benefits of industrial wind turbine projects. The objective in asking the following question, during the Q & A session, was to bring to your attention the grave circumstances of the organized criminal wind project scheme that is being fostered upon the public, residents and property owners, especially in rural areas of New York State.
I asked for your assistance. “Senator Clinton we need your help. When will the federal government conduct an anti-trust and RICO investigation regarding the wind turbine developers, their predatory business practices and their collusion with Town, County, State governments and IDA agencies?”
The theft in value and uncompensated use of our properties by industrial wind developers in coordination with Town, Country, State and IDA agencies is of unprecedented scope and scale. The economic model for such wind developments cannot exist without substantial government subsidies. Electric generation from these wind turbines has a much higher cost, has no storage ability and is lost when the grid is supplied by long- term contract methods. Also the wind velocity in most of our state does not support consistent electric generation. Peer reviewed studies of public safety hazards have not been conducted in Upstate where icing will be a huge factor. There is no essential public benefit, while the destruction of agricultural and residential areas will be permanently affected.
Inadequate liability and property insurance coverage, as well as, indemnity protections for townships, leaseholders and residents, who will be obliged to live next to an industrial facility subject the entire community to unnecessary risk. Effective mandates for decommissioning, removal and restoration are noticeably absent from all these projects.
The public safety and the pristine environmental treasure of our land is being sacrificed upon the altar of greed as public officials eagerly enable their dishonest partnership that will only produce the systemic destruction of the landscape and our quality of our lives.
These unaccountable and LLC corporate developers, many with foreign financed and owned interests, and local leaseholders with wind contracts function under a wall of silence. Their projects conspire to steal the use and destroy any resale property values of residents who live in proximity to their industrial turbines. Placing such giant machines as high as 500’ with the same setback as their height next to a home is unconscionable.
Where is the duty and obligation of government at all levels to protect the public safety and safeguard the constitutional, equal protection and property rights of all taxpayers? How can our children be protected when the authorities betray their oaths of office for the price of a wind turbine site?
The pattern of turbine leases given to town officials and administrative cronies has been repeated throughout NYS. Town councilmen, relatives or family members routinely sit on boards that act as lead agencies. Their conflict of interests and suspect ethical conduct demand an official and wide scale federal investigation into this multi billion dollar racket. Anti-trust and RICO statures are being violated. NYS politicians will not intervene, claiming that it is a “local matter”. (see enclosed letter from NYS Assemblyman Bacalles)
The nature of the wind turbine fraud is historic and extends to the very foundation of our rule of law. The “Comprehensive Plans” of townships are being circumvented with the abuses of spot zoning, segmentation and avoidance of SEQR regulations. Court challenges and Article 78 actions abound, but no district attorney will step forward or honor their duty and investigate the trail of bribes and criminal conduct that is systemic in this industry of graft. Our NYS attorney general will not start a probe. Ordinary citizens need federal involvement to stop the corruption that is so rampant in the industrial wind projects.
The real and frightening prospect of private development eminent domain and condemnation looms over all NYS rural communities. With wind turbine site locations scattered among and adjacent to residential properties, our homes will become unlivable. Many taxpayers will not be able to sell and certainly will never receive replacement value costs. This injustice is a direct result from the complicity and illegal actions of an unholy alliance among corrupt proponents of a business plan designed to steal agricultural land for industrial use. PILOT tax programs are a scam and exist to bilk the remaining taxpayers. Commensurate and equitable taxes will not be accessed on such wind projects. Follow the money, who makes the public decisions, who benefits and who is responsible for condemning so many NYS citizens to a life sentence in an industrial hazard zone.
Senator Clinton will you intervene and use the enormous influence your office has in making a recommendation to the Department of Justice that a dedicated and trustworthy U.S. Attorney be assigned to undertake a full scale criminal investigation into the NY statewide business practices of the industrial wind developers and the respective town governments that have demonstrated malfeasance in their office?
I will end with your answer to me at the Alternative Energy in New York Conference: Thank You.
Cordially,
James Hall
PO Box 657
Naples, NY 14512
(585) 534-5581
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Another UPC Project - WindFarm Prattsburgh DEIS report
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
Below please find links to our Draft Environmental Impact Statement that was accepted by SCIDA on June 22, 2006. The Draft EIS will also be available for public review at our office in Prattsburgh:
Windfarm Prattsburgh, LLC
3 Naples Road
PO Box 301
Prattsburgh, NY 14873
Tel: 607.522.4598
Fax: 518.399.7342
A copy of the DEIS may be requested from:
Dan Albano
197 North Street Rd
Argyle, NY 12809
1 (518) 248-4016
DOCUMENTS (PDFs)
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (report text)
Below please find links to our Draft Environmental Impact Statement that was accepted by SCIDA on June 22, 2006. The Draft EIS will also be available for public review at our office in Prattsburgh:
Windfarm Prattsburgh, LLC
3 Naples Road
PO Box 301
Prattsburgh, NY 14873
Tel: 607.522.4598
Fax: 518.399.7342
A copy of the DEIS may be requested from:
Dan Albano
197 North Street Rd
Argyle, NY 12809
1 (518) 248-4016
DOCUMENTS (PDFs)
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (report text)
June 26, 2006 - James Hall's question to Senator Hillary Rodman Clinton
At the “Alternative Energy in New York Conference” held at the Hyatt Regency Rochester, NY the following public question was asked of Senator Clinton in front of the assembled audience:
James Hall question: Senator Clinton we need your help. When will the federal government conduct an anti-trust and RICO investigation regarding the wind turbine developers and their collusion with Town, Country, State governments and IDA agencies?
Senator Hillary Rodam Clinton response: Thank You.
The Senator wrote down notes after her answer. I introduced myself as the publisher of BATR and a member of Cohocton Wind Watch.
James Hall question: Senator Clinton we need your help. When will the federal government conduct an anti-trust and RICO investigation regarding the wind turbine developers and their collusion with Town, Country, State governments and IDA agencies?
Senator Hillary Rodam Clinton response: Thank You.
The Senator wrote down notes after her answer. I introduced myself as the publisher of BATR and a member of Cohocton Wind Watch.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
June 23, 2006 letter to Cohocton Zoning Board of Appeals by Jim Lince
Cohocton Zoning Board,
Cohocton Zoning Board of Appeals
15 Main Street
Cohocton, NY 14826
June 23, 2006 VIA CERTIFIED MAIL
Dear Zoning Boards:
This serves as a formal complaint.
We are writing concerning the tower on Joseph Meyers land which was erected sometime in 2003. We first documented this tower in December 2003. It is plainly visible from our residence.
We have asked the town clerk to provide a copy of the application and approval for this tower.
Our understanding is this land is zoned AG-R, and there is no provision in the zoning for a tower of this size. It is an industrial tower. When we noticed the tower was erected, we called the town and complained --- we were told it was permitted.
We do not understand the rational for the permit in that there is no provision in the zoning for towers like this. You may be, however we are not aware of a tower like this required for farming, agriculture, farm operations, or residential use (AG-R). If it is for communications purposes on the farm, then due to the sheer height (estimated 150’), we would be concerned about the power output/FCC regulations and appropriate use in a residential area. If it’s a weather station for the farm, those are less than 30’ high, even at scientific stations. Farmers use GPS now, but that’s all driven from satellite and does not require such a tower. So, we would not know what the farming/agricultural purpose is for this tower?
Based on the ruling June 22 against the Dyckman tower, we appeal to you to apply the same standards to the Meyers tower. The presence of the tower remains a nuisance to us as an adjacent neighbor/owners and not within the legal zoning for the area. Thank you for your attention to this matter and upholding the legal zoning of our land.
Sincerely,
James G. and Shannon P. Lince
Cohocton Zoning Board of Appeals
15 Main Street
Cohocton, NY 14826
June 23, 2006 VIA CERTIFIED MAIL
Dear Zoning Boards:
This serves as a formal complaint.
We are writing concerning the tower on Joseph Meyers land which was erected sometime in 2003. We first documented this tower in December 2003. It is plainly visible from our residence.
We have asked the town clerk to provide a copy of the application and approval for this tower.
Our understanding is this land is zoned AG-R, and there is no provision in the zoning for a tower of this size. It is an industrial tower. When we noticed the tower was erected, we called the town and complained --- we were told it was permitted.
We do not understand the rational for the permit in that there is no provision in the zoning for towers like this. You may be, however we are not aware of a tower like this required for farming, agriculture, farm operations, or residential use (AG-R). If it is for communications purposes on the farm, then due to the sheer height (estimated 150’), we would be concerned about the power output/FCC regulations and appropriate use in a residential area. If it’s a weather station for the farm, those are less than 30’ high, even at scientific stations. Farmers use GPS now, but that’s all driven from satellite and does not require such a tower. So, we would not know what the farming/agricultural purpose is for this tower?
Based on the ruling June 22 against the Dyckman tower, we appeal to you to apply the same standards to the Meyers tower. The presence of the tower remains a nuisance to us as an adjacent neighbor/owners and not within the legal zoning for the area. Thank you for your attention to this matter and upholding the legal zoning of our land.
Sincerely,
James G. and Shannon P. Lince
Friday, June 23, 2006
Prattsburgh's Article 78 Going Forward - Will be heard on September 14, 2006
Supreme Court Judge Galloway has turned down the motion to dismiss and has scheduled that the action will be heard on the merits of the case.
SCIDA has 30 days to respond.
We have 30 days to respond back.
Then oral arguments will be on September 14.
The judge said that Ecogen may submit a defense of the DEIS, but they*
may not submit anything new. *What they can do is get new experts to
defend what they have already submitted.
SCIDA has 30 days to respond.
We have 30 days to respond back.
Then oral arguments will be on September 14.
The judge said that Ecogen may submit a defense of the DEIS, but they*
may not submit anything new. *What they can do is get new experts to
defend what they have already submitted.
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