Apex event for Lighthouse Wind will be more of a lecture than a forum
Orleans Hub | 27 September 2018 | orleanshub.com
Orleans Hub | 27 September 2018 | orleanshub.com
We have received yet another mailing from Lighthouse Wind (ie: Apex Clean Energy). This time it is regarding an Oct. 2 “Community Forum.” The banner reads as such:
“LIGHTHOUSE WIND Presents Community Forum: Site Plans, Expert Panel and Community Q&A”
And:
“Mark your calendar: Lighthouse Wind will host a community forum on Tuesday, October 2. We will share the proposed project layout, hear from a panel of experts, and hold a community Q&A session.”
It is interesting that Apex Clean Energy would term this event a “forum.” By definition, a forum is:
1. a place, meeting, or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged
2. a court or tribunal
In order for there to be a forum, each party to the forum must be fully informed of the material to be discussed. Only then can there be a free exchange of ideas. Apex Clean Energy has shared none of the forum subject information. In fact, Apex Clean Energy has held this information very close to the vest. They have shared this information with no one … except their representatives. In addition, a true forum empanels experts from both sides of an issue. Clearly not Apex’s plan.
Believing Apex Clean Energy’s statements on commitment to public outreach and in order to prepare for the “forum,” I contacted Apex Clean Energy at both local and toll-free numbers to obtain a copy of the planned presentation materials. At the time of this writing, no response. So much for public outreach.
Without full dissemination of information, there can be no free and clear exchange of ideas. As such, this “event” is not a “forum” in the primary definition. That is: “a place, meeting, or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged’, but more of the secondary definition: “a court or tribunal.”
If you do not prefer the secondary definition, then think of this event as more of a lecture and not in the educational sense. Think of it as more of a lecture in the disciplinary sense. That is, Apex presenting their project and the panel of experts at the ready to expound on how wonderful this project will be and how uneducated and in-the-dark is the opposition.
Unfortunately for Apex, the communities of Yates and Somerset have made their decisions via:
1. Multiple elections
2. Town laws
3. Multiple surveys
4. Statements of support from Boards of Health, County Legislatures and Multiple National, State and County Organization
Of course, Apex Clean Energy will attempt to “astroturf” this tribunal with outsiders that stand to profit from the project as this is their standard operating procedure. However, our towns have taken our position and it is against Apex Clean Energy and the destructive Lighthouse Wind Industrial Wind Turbine Project.
I expect the Apex-sponsored tribunal and their panel of experts will not newly convince anyone in Yates or Somerset of the positives/benefits of Lighthouse Wind.
The only thing that Apex will accomplish will be to further convince Yates and Somerset that Apex should just pack up and take Lighthouse Wind with them.
Wonder what Governor Cuomo is thinking about all of this.
Thank you,
John B. Riggi
Councilman, Town of Yates
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/09/29/apex-event-for-lighthouse-wind-will-be-more-of-a-lecture-than-a-forum/