Barre property owner sees many positives with turbine projects in Orleans

Posted 18 May 2017 at 6:59 am

Editor:

For several decades, I have owned rural property in Orleans County.

During this time, I have seen my neighbors struggle with drought, flooding, falling markets, rising land prices, and foreign competition. The past few years have been especially harsh.

These industrious, hard-working landowners – most of whom possess mechanical, horticultural, veterinary, and financial skills – are facing tough economic and environmental times. It’s within this context that the concept of wind power comes to the lake plains region.

I support the Lighthouse Wind Project as a benefit to the people who produce our food and serve as stewards of our lands and water. There are no federal, state, or local programs that provide the needed cash flow to offset the current plight of the farming community like the wind power project does.

Additionally, New York State’s development history has been marked by wind- and water-borne pollutants. Clean wind power brings exactly none of these toxins – and has been shown to be an economically reliable industry in the U.S. as well as in Europe.

I intend to register my acreage for possible turbines, as have many of my fellow landowners. We are proud and honored to be beneficiaries and supporters of this clean, renewable energy resource.

Joe Weiss, Ph.D.

Clarence and Barre