Source: Advocates for Prattsburgh
Eminent domain alert — Prattsburgh, N.Y.
On April 22, 2008, the Town Board of Prattburgh in Steuben County, NY, resolved to authorize the commencement of condemnation proceedings under the EDPL against eight specific landowners and against “any other property” along several specific roads in order to secure easements for transmission lines for Windfarm Prattsburgh, a “First Wind” (formerly known as UPC) project.
This hearing comes after five years of struggle. Hundreds of people have appealed to the Town Board, the DEC, NYSERDA, the PSC, the Governor, the Comptroller and the Attorney General’s office regarding how this wind project will affect all of our lives, as well as the land and the wildlife. UPC (First Wind) has not been able to secure the easements because most people in this town do not want the project, and it is believed that many of the people who have already signed were bullied into doing so.
It is believed that past members of the Town Board and the present Supervisor and Deputy Supervisor have conflicts of interest that have led them to pave the way for the wind companies. Unlike other towns where their Supervisors and Planning Boards have made attempts to protect the health and safety of the residents, the Prattsburgh Town Board has sat idly by and let the lead agent (SCIDA) ramrod through an environmental impact statement that is inadequate and unacceptable.
Now the Town, after ignoring the safety of its citizens, wants to set a dangerous precedent by condemning land to give to the wind company. A lawsuit is being pursued, but in the meantime, it is believed that the wind company is using the town’s resolution to further bully the eight remaining “holdouts” and other people along their desired route.
Advocates for Prattsburgh is the local citizens’ group that was organized to try to regulate these projects in an objective, sensitive way. We have retained an attorney to try to get the town’s vote set aside, and we are fund raising to help the named residents appeal the condemnations if the town cannot be dissuaded to reverse its decision.
If you have any questions please e-mail emanancyw@empacc.net. Attend the public hearing on May 22 at 7:00 p.m. located at the Prattsburgh Fire Hall, 15 Allis Street, Prattsburgh, NY and/or send comments to the attention of Clerk Pam Kula, Prattsburgh Town Hall, 19 North Main Street, Prattsburgh, New York 14873. Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. May 27.
Download UPC’s “Underground Line Easement”
Download “Minutes and resolution of special town board meeting, Prattsburgh”
Also see press release: “National Wind Watch warns of eminent domain threat”
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Tags: Wind power, Wind energy, Eminent domain
