A letter from a resident of the "eighth wonder of the world",

November 28, 2012
Honorable Jaclyn A Brilling, Secretary NYS Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment 3 Empire Plaza Albany NY 12223 RE: Case 12-F-0410: Application of Cape Vincent Wind Power, LLC for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need to Construct an approximately 200-285 MW Wind Electric Generating Facility in the Town of Cape Vincent, NY

Dear Secretary Brilling and Members of the NY State Electric Generation Siting Board,

It’s hard to imagine it has come to this. Something is wrong when people have to write letters to plead for the protection of one of NY State’s most amazing natural resources, the 1000 Islands, from mass industrial destruction. The Adirondack Park is protected! The Hudson River Valley is protected! The East Hampton’s are protected! But one of the greatest natural resources NYS has within its boundaries is in a position to be altered forever by corporate greed all in the name of an unproven, inefficient means of renewable energy. The 1000 Islands have been and remain a natural attraction for all those who live here because, to them, there is no other place like it on earth… for all those who spend summers here because it’s part of their genetic makeup or experience to be close to the islands whenever they can; and for all those who have visited here because they heard what an amazing area this is and had to find out for themselves. The Islands attract and intrigue humans of all races, ages, and status.

As one who has been deeply involved in attempting to understand renewable energy’s "big picture", I am at a loss to comprehend how placing hundreds of 50-story structures next to population areas makes any sense, other than to create a divisive situation for all who are unlucky enough to be picked to endure these projects of mass destruction. The collective wisdom of those who truly care about this area came to the conclusion it was wrong and felt it was imperative to strengthen the local laws and

zoning ordinances to reflect a common sense approach to this issue that would ensure the health, safety and economic welfare of its residents and they spent 1000’s of hours doing so. This stance branded them as NIMBY’s (Not In My Back Yard) and roused the ire of wind developers who saw their "carte blanche" power to cover upstate NY with wind projects dwindling. Enter… NY State lawmakers who determined an appointed panel would be the best solution to settle this issue.

Now it’s come down to the five of you controlling the future of this region with regard to electric generation that brings with it the total altering of miles and miles of landscape and a change in life quality for thousands and thousands of residents. In my opinion that’s a responsibility that brings with it a duty to put the welfare of constituents ahead of corporate influence. If only there was a way for you to experience the "real emotion" that lies beneath the surface of your decision; to sit with residents of towns who have been deeply divided over this issue, to spend time in the homes of residents who live in the middle of these projects and whose life no longer resembles life as they knew it, to talk to those who have watched their property values plummet and their attempts to sell unsuccessful. This is the part of the equation that appears to be under-investigated by the rule makers in Albany. Does it make it easier to guide policy from an office at the state Capitol if you don’t have to look at or listen to the victims of your decisions?

As a resident of this "eighth wonder of the world", I have to trust you take your appointment to this siting board seriously and will ensure that all stones will be uncovered to reveal the information necessary to make the best possible siting decisions. My hope is when these stones are turned over, you will see the situation for what it truly is and conclude the 1000 Islands must be allowed to remain free of industrial destruction of this magnitude. We must be able to continue to honor the ways of the Native Americans who understood the importance of protecting and preserving this natural resource they called "Manitonna" (translated to mean "Garden of the Great Spirit"), thus leaving the legacy of the 1000 Islands intact for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.

Thank you for listening.