Lighthouse Wind opposition’s roots run deep
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal | May 24, 2019 | www.lockportjournal.com
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal | May 24, 2019 | www.lockportjournal.com
A Lockport Union Sun & Journal article published Wednesday May 15 quotes a claim that opposition to Apex’s Lighthouse Wind industrial wind turbine project has come “largely from vacation-home-owners.” However, Save Ontario Shores, Inc. (SOS), the local grassroots organization opposed to this project, includes a majority of supporters who live year-round in the villages of Barker and Lyndonville, the towns of Somerset and Yates, and surrounding towns.
The inaccurate characterization above fails to recognize the substantive and successful hard work by these property owners who share a belief that the 47 proposed six-hundred-foot-tall industrial wind turbines, flashing lights, 24/7 operation and noise are not in the long-term best interest of the towns. SOS supporters, both year-round and seasonal residents, have a tangible, heartfelt and economic connection to the towns and the region.
Anyone who lives locally understands that the opposition to the project runs deep among residents, with yard signs throughout the towns, election votes in the hundreds for candidates who oppose the project, regular letters to the editor and consistent overwhelming representation at events, public hearings and town board meetings by year-round residents.
This does not diminish the contributions of seasonal residents who support SOS. Distance does not separate us with many ways to work together even during the winter months. We are a greater force with a multitude of supporters who provide research, connections and input.
Seasonal residents do not pay taxes based on the number of months they live in the area; they contribute fully in funding the town, county and school districts. It is important to note that 35%* of lease signers receiving turbines do not live within the project area and will therefore not be living amidst the negative impacts of the proposed turbines in any season. (*using information from proposed turbine layout given by Apex in October 2018)
SOS supporters are a diverse group made up of Republicans, Democrats, independents and non-affiliated individuals who respect and care for each other. We are working together with a common goal of fighting our “Goliath” – Apex’s Lighthouse Wind project – and that is what small-town community is all about.
We look forward to a formal end to the Apex Lighthouse Wind project so we can turn more of our attention to supporting the projects and grant opportunities that our hard-working town officials have been developing. We continue to demand that Apex withdraw from the New York Independent System Operators electrical generation queue, free landowners from leases and withdraw from the DPS Article 10 process. Until this happens SOS will continue the fight.
PAMELA ATWATER President
KATE KREMER Vice President
Save Ontario Shores, Inc.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2019/05/25/lighthouse-wind-oppositions-roots-run-deep/