Wind farms aren’t a good fit in Orleans County with so much wildlife

Editor:

Not sure why I bother, as those who possess intelligence the rest of us lack will follow a murky master plan in pursuit of their own agenda anyway. As long as they have an “R” beside their names, it is all good on election day. The silent majority sometimes seems oblivious to the fact that they live in a democracy.

Nonetheless, general election voters might consider where their choice for town supervisor stands on wind energy locally. Wind farms are great fits for industrial wastelands, abandoned oil fields and other “moonscape” locations. Those who mistakenly view Orleans County as desolate due to a shortage of neon signage may be missing something a bit more subtle.

Orleans County can continue to be a habitat diverse “Mecca” for birds and wildlife in general. But its attractiveness to wildlife –and those who appreciate such assets – can be degraded by the siting realities of industrial wind turbines. Where will turbines be sited if they have to be 1,200-1,500 feet from dwellings and roads? In most instances they will be erected In the middle of an existing woodlot.

John Riggi, Jim Simon and others have done a good job making the case against wind turbines in Yates.  But Yates is not appreciably different from Orleans County’s other nine towns.

Will degrading much of the county’s natural environment be added to the list of mistakes that includes the sale of a Four Star County Nursing Home? The entire county is in the Atlantic Flyway. This is not fake news. In my opinion, wind “farms” – a good idea under the right circumstances – don’t belong here.

We need more decision makers who are willing to take the path of greatest resistance and are willing to fight to protect one of Orleans County’s more valuable assets.

Sincerely yours,

Gary Kent

Albion