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Madison County community meets to discuss concerns over more wind turbines
Credit: by Hannah Devanny | Wed, April 23rd 2025 at cnycentral.com ~~
Madison County community members met Wednesday evening to discuss concerns about the proposed addition of two large wind and solar facilities. Community members and officials met with the New York State Department of Public Service at S.U.N.Y. Morrisville.
If approved, this would not be the first wind turbine facility to be built in Madison County. The Town of Fennel already has 20 wind turbines. If approved, this would mean that around 30% of the Town of Fenner will be taken up by these facilities.
Residents of the Towns of Fenner, Nelson, Smithfield and Eaton, where the new facilities would go specifically, are unhappy with this proposal. Since the Renewable Action through Project Interconnection and Deployment Act, also known as R.A.P.I.D., was set in place, communities have had no say regarding large-scale wind and solar facilities. The act was put into place in April 2024.
Sue Yanulis, representative of the planning board in Fenner, said, “I love New York State, but I have no control of my destiny here anymore.”
Wind turbines are planned to be built in residential areas, in the middle of 230 homes.
Philip Rose, a resident of Fenner since 2006, said, “I want to live in a beautiful place with hills and trees. Now we’ll have to look at these turbines all the time.”
The unhappiness from residents isn’t just about the aesthetics of the community, however. Members also expressed economic worries. Taxes for community members are expected to go up, and some people’s utility bills have increased in the past year. Some residents even had their utility bills tripled.
“I personally know people that are paying $1,000 a month bills,” Yanulis said. “As a ratepayer, we are paying for all of this.”
While many shared strong opinions against the proposal, there were some people in the crowd who favored the idea.
Laiuna Laborers were in attendance in support of the turbines, along with some local farmers.
Todd Szewczyk, a local dairy farmer, said this turbine addition could help him and his family financially.
“I was never asked for my approval, and I shouldn’t be,” Szewczyk said. “This is my property.”
Governor Hochul’s office was not present, but community officials said she is very much aware of the opposition. Residents said they were upset that their concerns were being ignored by their governor.
“We feel betrayed by our government and by private companies,” Rose said.
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