July 20, 2020 – SEE ACTION ITEM BELOW

On July 15, SOS sent a news release to the media entitled “Industrial Wind Turbines pose tremendous risks to Lake Erie, Lake Ontario” – New York now making reckless push to industrialize recreational waters.

We listed what you need to know:

• New York State is considering allowing massive industrial wind turbines to be installed within just a few miles of the shorelines of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

• The stunning panoramic views, ecology and economies of the lakes are at risk.

• Save Ontario Shores calls on Gov. Cuomo to stop the assault on Upstate New York to benefit New York City’s energy needs.

The entire news release with more details can be found on the homepage of our website: http://lakeontarioturbines.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Industrial-Wind-Turbines-pose-tremendous-risks.pdf

 One of the reports cited in the news release states “66 percent of New York’s Lake Erie waters and 17.6 percent of its Lake Ontario waters might be suitable for development. Industrial wind turbines would be sited within 10 miles of the Lake Erie shoreline and within one to two miles of the Lake Ontario shoreline.” 

To review the White Paper, go to the following link. The section on Great Lakes Wind begins on page 41.

CES White Paper

The Department of Public Service was contacted by a reporter from the Lockport Union Sun and Journal for comment. James Denn, Public Information Officer, stated in part that “community engagement is the first and foremost part of this ongoing process; no decisions will be made without local input. The white paper cited by community advocates is only proposing a feasibility study for Great Lakes wind at this time. DPS will conduct a full and thorough review of all of the comments it receives on the white paper before it is taken up by the PSC and decisions are made to move forward on the concepts raised.” For most of us involved with industrial scale renewable energy projects in our communities, those assurances ring hollow.

ACTION ITEM: If the thought of industrial wind turbines placed in Lake Erie and Lake Ontario causes you concern, please consider commenting on this case (15-E-0302) by Friday, July 24.

Be sure to list your connection to the Lakes and the specific reasons for your concern. Are you involved in tourism, fishing, sailing, boating, birding, visiting the state parks along the lake shore or just plain living on or near the lake shore?

A large number of people have recently commented generically in favor of industrial wind turbines in Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. We hope that those who live in communities near these lakes can make their voices heard. Feel free to share this information with others who may not be on our mailing list.

These turbines would be sited closer to shore than ocean-based turbines. As Kate Kremer, SOS VP, stated in our news release, “Lakes Erie and Ontario are the smallest and already the most stressed of the five Great Lakes from decades of industrial runoff and other uses along their shores. Stirring up legacy pollutants that are in the sediment of the lakes is an environmental disaster in the making. The lakes need restoration, not additional stresses.”

You can submit a comment at the following link by using the "Post Comments" button at the top right of the page: http://documents.dps.ny.gov/public/MatterManagement/CaseMaster.aspx?Mattercaseno=15-E-0302

If you prefer to mail a letter, you may address it to:

Hon. Michelle L. Phillips
Secretary to the Commission
New York State Public Service Commission
Empire State Plaza
Agency Building 3
Albany, NY 12223-1350

We would like to see a lot of people speak up about the latest affront to Upstate New York being considered by Albany. Thank you for letting your voice be heard.

Take care and thank you for your support!