Another excerpt from one of our NVBHA Members to Chairman Brown, NYS-PSC:
Thank you for considering my views, below, on the wind farms in the Naples and Cohocton Hills and the pending acquisition of RGE/NYSEG by Iberdrola.
I'm a believer in the free market. I'm also a believer in finding new energy sources for our area and our nation.
But I also believe that community interests must be balanced with the imperatives of the market. The Iberdrola deal doesn't make the cut at any level.
Few in the community were consulted. Deals were crafted in secret and one day, towers went up. And after the towers, a 100- foot wide swath of gigantic utility poles across sixteen miles of beautiful landscape was announced.
There is no benefit to local residents, except landowners, in this deal.
Power won't be cheaper for us, (wind power isn't a consistent source of power), jobs won't be created locally, it won't add measurable tax revenues to local schools, and perhaps worst of all, our scenic viewscapes -- which add mightily to the tourism revenues in the area -- are being marred forever by these huge turbines and proposed utility poles.
The economic vitality of the area is closely tied to its beauty. Mar the natural environment and you're left with little to attract hikers, bikers, skiers, kayakers, and Sunday drivers who bring dollars to the community. You also add one more reason for companies to decide not to relocate here and for young people to move away.
Iberdrola has a reputation in Europe and North Africa both as an innovator and emerging monopoly. When a winter ice storm knocks out power lines, and folks don't have light or heat, think about who you're going to call for repairs. RGE may have had its challenges, but they've performed well in times of crisis. Will Iberdrola feel it needs to take care of folks who don't live in their backyard?
It's a botched deal all around.
I urge you to uphold Judge Epstein's recommendation to reject this deal.
There is no real benefit in this deal to NYS citizens, only to the commercial wind interests at great taxpayer and ratepayer expense.
Voice Your Choice Say NO to Overhead Power Lines
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
What is the NYS Public Service Commission’s Role?
An excerpt from one of our NVBHA members to Chairman Brown of the PSC.
The NYS Public Service Commission’s role is to protect NYS citizens.
Administrative Law Judge Rafael Epstein has recommended that PSC members reject Iberdrola’s acquisition of Energy East (RG&E and NYSEG) as there is no public benefit to the acquisition and in fact would violate Public Service Law, Article 70. They would be breaking one of their own laws put in place to protect the citizens of NYS!
THE PSC should be allowed to do its job on behalf of NY citizens without lobbying interference from politicians, like Sen. Charles Schumer. Senator Schumer is either ignorant to the widely and easily accessible, scientific information on industrial/commercial wind’s problems and
ineffectiveness, or has already been bamboozled by the commercial wind interests’ incomplete and misguided propaganda.
We strongly oppose handing over control of our power grid to a foreign entity. We are asking you to uphold Judge Epstein’s recommendation to reject this deal. The people of NY State deserve our laws to be upheld. There is no real benefit in this deal to NYS citizens, only to the
commercial wind interests at great taxpayer and ratepayer expense.
What good is commercial/industrial wind if it does virtually nothing to eliminate use of fossil fueled electricity generation or reduce CO2 emissions? What good is it when it negatively affects communities’ health, safety, property values and quality of living? What good is industrial /commercial wind when all it has done is pit neighbor against neighbor and split communities apart? We need to place our focus and resources on renewable alternatives that will deliver the goods, based on science, not misleading and incomplete data.
The NYS Public Service Commission’s role is to protect NYS citizens.
Administrative Law Judge Rafael Epstein has recommended that PSC members reject Iberdrola’s acquisition of Energy East (RG&E and NYSEG) as there is no public benefit to the acquisition and in fact would violate Public Service Law, Article 70. They would be breaking one of their own laws put in place to protect the citizens of NYS!
THE PSC should be allowed to do its job on behalf of NY citizens without lobbying interference from politicians, like Sen. Charles Schumer. Senator Schumer is either ignorant to the widely and easily accessible, scientific information on industrial/commercial wind’s problems and
ineffectiveness, or has already been bamboozled by the commercial wind interests’ incomplete and misguided propaganda.
We strongly oppose handing over control of our power grid to a foreign entity. We are asking you to uphold Judge Epstein’s recommendation to reject this deal. The people of NY State deserve our laws to be upheld. There is no real benefit in this deal to NYS citizens, only to the
commercial wind interests at great taxpayer and ratepayer expense.
What good is commercial/industrial wind if it does virtually nothing to eliminate use of fossil fueled electricity generation or reduce CO2 emissions? What good is it when it negatively affects communities’ health, safety, property values and quality of living? What good is industrial /commercial wind when all it has done is pit neighbor against neighbor and split communities apart? We need to place our focus and resources on renewable alternatives that will deliver the goods, based on science, not misleading and incomplete data.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
NVBHA Board Meeting June 17th at 7 pm
Choices, Choices, Choices... 3 meetings scheduled for Tuesday the 17th.
1. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in Watertown
2. Cohocton Monthly Board Meeting in Atlanta
3. Naples Valley Bristol Hills Association Board Meeting at the South Bristol Town Hall
Which meeting will you be attending?
Voice Your Choice Say NO to Overhead Power Lines
1. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in Watertown
2. Cohocton Monthly Board Meeting in Atlanta
3. Naples Valley Bristol Hills Association Board Meeting at the South Bristol Town Hall
Which meeting will you be attending?
Voice Your Choice Say NO to Overhead Power Lines
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo Forum on 6/17/08
Andrew M. Cuomo is coming to Watertown on June 17 to host a community forum.
In a recent letter to local leaders, Mr. Cuomo said he wants to discuss "priority issues, such as environmental protection, health care, consumer protection, civil rights, workers rights and student lending."
The attorney general and his staff also will answer questions from audience members.
Food and refreshments will be served.
The forum will be at 7 p.m. at Case Middle School, 1237 Washington St., Watertown, NY
Mr. Cuomo asks people who plan to attend to let his office know by calling 448-4814 or e-mailing at communityaffairs@oag.state.ny.us
Please send an email to nvbhagroup@gmail.com if you are planning to go & would like to car pool.
Voice Your Choice Say NO to Overhead Power Lines
In a recent letter to local leaders, Mr. Cuomo said he wants to discuss "priority issues, such as environmental protection, health care, consumer protection, civil rights, workers rights and student lending."
The attorney general and his staff also will answer questions from audience members.
Food and refreshments will be served.
The forum will be at 7 p.m. at Case Middle School, 1237 Washington St., Watertown, NY
Mr. Cuomo asks people who plan to attend to let his office know by calling 448-4814 or e-mailing at communityaffairs@oag.state.ny.us
Please send an email to nvbhagroup@gmail.com if you are planning to go & would like to car pool.
Voice Your Choice Say NO to Overhead Power Lines
Saturday, May 31, 2008
The EMINENT DOMAIN You Tube Videos are Available
The EMINENT DOMAIN You Tube Videos are now posted on the web and available to be viewed from the Cohocton Wind Watch site.
Visit http://cohoctonwindwatch.org/ and click on the links from the right column under the EMINENT DOMAIN logo.
If you want to bookmark all the You Tube Videos from the Prattsburgh Public Hearing,
go to: http://www.batr.org/industrialw
The You Tube EMINENT DOMAIN Public Hearing Prattsburgh, NY url is:
http://www.youtube.com/view
For viewing the EMINENT DOMAIN Prattsburgh Law Meeting, go to:
http://www.batr.org/industrialw
The You Tube EMINENT DOMAIN Law Meeting Prattsburgh, NY url is:
http://www.youtube.com/view
CWW has received inquires on how to help.
The following is a recap:
5/29/2008
Edward D. Cerra of Dillenbeck Road was kind enough to provide the following summary of the May 22 Public Hearing in Prattsburgh concerning condemnation proceedings against the remaining property owners who have resisted signing easements for Windfarm Prattsburgh.
Due to the large attendance, the meeting was held at the town fire hall, which was full to near capacity.
After a recap by First Wind on the proposed location and properties involved, residents and owners were allowed three minutes each to voice their opinions.
There is no doubt that the eminent domain issue has fueled a larger controversy than the wind turbine project itself. There were a handful of supporters of the turbines, one of which sold a parcel of land to First Wind for double its appraised value. Other supporters live in the town proper and are not directly affected by the construction or the site of the turbines, and they do not pay the largest share of the property tax base.
The majority of those in attendance were, by far, opposed to the eminent domain issue, evidenced by both by their comments and the outbursts and applause of the crowd. Resident after resident lambasted the board for their willingness to accept First Wind's request, as speaker after speaker reminded the board that they work for the residents and property owners, not for First Wind. Many land owners, who are not residents and whose land is directly affected by the eminent domain issue, spoke out about the irresponsibility of the board. All were notified by certified mail by UPC regarding the eminent domain meeting on April 22nd, but these letters arrived one day before the meeting….too late to travel and attend.
Many residents accused the board of profiting from the project and not doing enough research to acquire the knowledge of a project of this magnitude. Some even compared it to Rochester's Fast Ferry project, which is still being paid by the taxpayers of NY. The only board members who had the sense enough to vote NO ( Mr. Kula and Mr. Shick) until more facts could be brought to the table, were out voted by Supervisor McConnell, and board members Stacey Bottoni and Sharon Quigley at last month's meeting. Residents were not allowed to speak at that meeting.
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The Board has to publish its "findings and determinations" within 90 days of the hearing. The determination and findings must sets forth:
1. The public use to be served
2. The reason for the location
3. The general effect
4. Other relevant factors.
If, as expected, the Board "finds" to condemn the properties, the "condemnees" have 30 days from the "notice of publication" to appeal. People from all across the state have been sending financial and emotional support to help those whose land is threatened. All donations should be sent to Advocates for Prattsburgh Box 221, Prattsburgh NY 14873
Inquiries should be directed to Nancy Wahlstrom emanancyw@empacc.net (607) 522-4418
In the wind: Eminent domain proceedings
Article from the Daily Messenger, Thursday, May 29th
http://www.mpnnow.com/news/x1218083233
Voice Your Choice Say NO to Overhead Power Lines
http://www.mpnnow.com/news
Voice Your Choice Say NO to Overhead Power Lines
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