SOS is committed to stopping turbine project in Yates, Somerset

Editor:

Now that Apex has unveiled a layout of the 47 massive industrial wind turbines proposed in the towns of Somerset and Yates, SOS is re-committed to opposing this ill-sited project.

Based on comments Apex officials made at their recent forum at Lyndonville High School, we know this project is very far from being finalized and approved. It is still in the pre-application phase. Apex is now saying the application will be submitted in the winter of 2019; that date keeps changing. The turbines would soar 591 feet, making them the largest structures in the state outside of New York City. Apex officials don’t even know that Tiger Paw Airport is located in the town of Yates.

We also know local opposition to the industrial wind turbine factories remains high; a majority of Somerset and Yates resident remain opposed, as are the Somerset and Yates town boards and the Orleans, Niagara and Erie County legislatures. The POWER Coalition is a staunch opponent. POWER members include, among others, the American Bird Conservancy, Great Lakes Seaway Trail, Orleans County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Niagara USA Chamber and the Rochester Birding Association.

Last fall at the Independent Power Producers of New York Inc. conference,

Public Service Commission chairman, John Rhodes, stated the following about the Article 10 process: “No, it’s not a stacked process and, no, not under this governor are we going to force people in a police state mode to do anything.”  We are holding Chairman Rhodes, and ultimately, Governor Cuomo, to his word.

When the tide began to turn in favor of the Allies during World War II, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said, “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

The battle against Apex is now in a similar place, and we remain resolute in our commitment to stop this project!

Pam Atwater

Somerset

President, Save Ontario Shores, Inc.