Councilman defends analysis of Public Service comments, says he welcomes dialogue on turbines

Editor:

I read, with great interest, Mr. Pierce’s letter regarding the recent analysis of comments made to the New York State Department of Public Service (NYDPS) regarding opposition/support for the Apex Clean Energy (APEX) Project.

As many may know, Apex has proposed the siting of an Industrial Wind Turbine Emplacement Project in the Towns of Yates and Somerset. Concurrently, most now understand that there is massive and ongoing opposition to this project.

Gaining an understanding of the overwhelming nature of the opposition is why the assessment of comments was performed.  Interestingly, Mr. Pierce seems to have misunderstood the reason for the assessment.  As stated in the assessment:

“All comments made to the DPS site regarding the Lighthouse Wind Project were included in the assessment and as stated, cover the time period from Q1-2015 through Q2-2016. All comments were read fully in order to ascertain position regarding the wind project.  The positions were tabulated as in-favor or opposed to the project.”

The assessment was, in effect, a simple tally of the “in-favor” vs. “opposed” statements.  It must be stated here that multiple submissions were made to NYDPS by both those “in-favor” of the project, as well as those “opposed” to the project.

View of the assessor was that all comments are important regardless of position on the Wind Turbine Emplacement Project issue.  As such, all comments were assessed and used in determining results.

I am happy constituents are reading the comments and making comments as well.  Open, free and truthful discourse is the American Way and as such am glad to have cleared up any misconceptions Mr. Pierce may have had.

As always, I am available to meet with any Town of Yates constituents on any question or concerns they may have.

Thank you,

John B. Riggi
Yates town councilam