March 12, 2007
New York

Wind proposal meets opposition

Wind farms continue to rise across New York to meet the state’s need for alternative energy sources. But the first proposed for Monroe County is running up against opposition where there’s talk of a moratorium on wind farm development.

An area off Redman and Moscow Roads is where a wind farm is proposed for the town of Hamlin. Up to 50 towers nearly 200 feet tall are the first proposed wind turbines for Monroe County.

“It’s a very sensitive topic and we are all for alternative forms of energy,” said Hamlin Town Supervisor Dennis Roach. “But it has different impacts on different people and we have to respect that.”

And that’s how most Hamlin residents feel. Green energy is fine, but no one wants it in their yard.

“I’m for green energy, but I definitely feel they could put them places where they wouldn’t impact people,” explained Jim Bauer. I like looking out my backyard and seeing the trees and everything, that’s why I moved here.”

At Monday’s board meeting, residents weighed in on a moratorium that would prevent a developer from filing an application or constructing a wind farm in Hamlin until next January.

Linda Morey was the only person to speak against the moratorium.

“It’s precedent setting to try and stop people from bringing in a legitimate request to use their property,” Morey said. “I think everyone has a right to their own land and they can bring in a request and then it goes through the process it needs to go through. So I think it’s precedent setting and I would prefer them work through what we already have.”

The moratorium passed meaning no wind farm development in Hamlin until January 15, 2008. That allows the town’s nine member wind tower committee to further research the project and presents its findings to the town board.

By Mike Hedeen

rnews.com

12 March 2007


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/03/12/wind-proposal-meets-opposition/