Town of Cape Vincent ~ Writes to the Association of Towns of the State of New York

The resolution The Town of Cape Vincent sent to the NY Association of Towns has made it through the resolution committee. Now we need it to be circulated throughout NY for support. Please pass it to all town boards. We need as many towns as possible to recommend that the Association of Towns put it up for a full vote January 29, 2013

Association of Towns of the State of New York

150 State Street,

Albany, NY 12207

Dear Lori,

            Here is the proposed language to fit with New York State Association of Towns.  It is based on a resolution passed by the Board of Directors of Wisconsin Towns Association.  They passed it on the 21^st of January of this year.  Their decision was based on the results of a study the Wisconsin Public Service Commission asked for; (Report # 122412-1) released December 28, 2012.  I have enclosed a copy of their resolution, and the report it is based on.  The Executive Director of the Wisconsin Towns Association is Richard Stadelman.  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact him at (715) 526-3157.

            I am sorry for the late submission but this is a fresh study that occurred over the last month.  Thank you for your consideration.

Resolution for the New York Association of Towns

TITLE: Requesting a moratorium on wind power development in New York State

WHEREAS, the New York State Legislature recently created Article 10 of the Public Service Law to establish procedures for certifying major electric generating facilities; and

WHEREAS, wind power developers are now seeking certification from the Public Service Commission to erect industrial turbines across the state; and

WHEREAS, each application must include a study of the noise impacts of the operation of any potential wind farm; and

WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Public Service Commission recently asked four experts in acoustics to investigate whether low-frequency noise generated by wind turbines was potentially causing health issues for families living near the Shirley Wind Farm in Denmark, Wisconsin.; and

WHEREAS, the experts reported on Dec. 28, 2012 that low-frequency noise was found in some homes surrounding the turbines; and

WHEREAS, the experts’ opinion was that low-frequency noise could be a “serious issue, possibly affecting the future of the industry” and that immediate, more in-depth study was needed; and

WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Association of Towns, on the basis of this report, passed a resolution calling on its Public Service Commission and its legislature to put a moratorium on all permitting and installation of industrial wind turbines until further studies could be completed and solutions found; and

WHEREAS, the goal of the New York Association of Towns is the protection of the health and safety of its residents

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the New York Association of Towns calls on Public Service Commission and the state Legislature to halt the Article 10 certification process for industrial wind turbine development until studies regarding the health impacts of low-frequency noise generated by turbines can be completed, solutions found and the state’s Article 10 rule can be modified to mitigate any adverse health impacts, if necessary

Respectfully yours,

Urban Hirschey – Town Supervisor

Brooks Bradgon – Deputy Supervisor

John Byrne – Town Council

Clifford Schneider – Town Council

Michelle Oswald – Town Council

Richard Macsherry – Planning Board Chairman

Robert S. Brown – Planning Board

Cyril Cullen – Planning Board

Paul Docteur – Planning Board

Dennis Faulknham – ZBA Chairman 

Ed Hludzenski – Zoning Board

Resolution for the New York Association of Towns

TITLE: Requesting a moratorium on wind power development in New York State

WHEREAS, the New York State Legislature recently created Article 10 of the Public Service Law to establish procedures for certifying major electric generating facilities; and

WHEREAS, wind power developers are now seeking certification from the Public Service Commission to erect industrial turbines across the state; and

WHEREAS, each application must include a study of the noise impacts of the operation of any potential wind farm; and

WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Public Service Commission recently asked four experts in acoustics to investigate whether low-frequency noise generated by wind turbines was potentially causing health issues for families living near the Shirley Wind Farm in Denmark, Wisconsin.; and

WHEREAS, the experts reported on Dec. 28, 2012 that low-frequency noise was found in some homes surrounding the turbines; and

WHEREAS, the experts’ opinion was that low-frequency noise could be a “serious issue, possibly affecting the future of the industry” and that immediate, more in-depth study was needed; and

WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Association of Towns, on the basis of this report, passed a resolution calling on its Public Service Commission and its legislature to put a moratorium on all permitting and installation of industrial wind turbines until further studies could be completed and solutions found; and

WHEREAS, the goal of the New York Association of Towns is the protection of the health and safety of its residents

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the New York Association of Towns calls on Public Service Commission and the state Legislature to halt the Article 10 certification process for industrial wind turbine development until studies regarding the health impacts of low-frequency noise generated by turbines can be completed, solutions found and the state’s Article 10 rule can be modified to mitigate any adverse health impacts, if necessary
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Link to  The letter Assemblyman Jacque wrote to the Wisconsin PSC to stop all wind projects until further studies are complete