Friday, April 19, 2013
BP needs to properly address the issue of property values
April 18, 2013
Richard Chandler,
Director,
Business Development
BP Wind Energy North America, Inc.
700 Louisiana Street, 33rd Floor
Huston, TX 77002
RE: Case 12-F-0410
Dear Richard,
I appreciate this opportunity to share with you my comments about the Preliminary Scoping Statement for the Cape Vincent Wind Farm.
First, I feel that BP needs to properly address the issue of property values. A full study on how wind turbines impact resale values should be conducted as part of the scoping and application process.
I moved to this region with my family four years ago. At that time, my husband and I deleted from our search any properties that were close to the proposed wind farms of Cape Vincent, Lyme and Clayton. Unfortunately, the maps we were shown locating the contracted turbines were not up-to-date and as a result of this misinformation we purchased a home right next to a property with wind contracts.
We are not the only buyer who is looking elsewhere. I would describe the real estate market in this area as steady but not strong. Ready availability of relatively similar properties outside the proposed wind farm region means buyers are already taking their business elsewhere. Therefore, I would suggest that property values could already have softened. A study should be conducted on how wind farms in similar regions have impacted property values. Residents need to be area of how this project will impact their back pockets.
Second, I don’t see any reference to how wind turbines affect bees. As a beginner beekeeper, I would like to see what research has already been conducted on how wind turbines impact bee populations.
Third, the decommissioning process of the wind turbines is not clear. Can you please provide further detail on how you will look after taking down the turbines both from a financial and physical standpoint?
Finally, I am very impressed with the Town of Cape Vincent’s by-laws in regards to wind energy. They have gone to great lengths to make sure they understand how this project
will impact all aspects of their community. Their work is certainly a model of good governance and I am grateful that the citizens in this region, even beyond the town’s borders, can benefit from their diligence. Therefore, I would like to see the scope of this wind farm abiding by these by-laws as they establish clear guidelines on what type of development would marry well with the character and nature of the Town of Clayton.
Unfortunately, I am not equally informed about Lyme’s by-laws and as such cannot comment on them.
I appreciate in advance your consideration of my comments.
Sincerely,
Chaumont, NY
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3 comments:
Spokesmen for Voters for Wind who represent Bee Pee locally have testified to the town board and the people that there will be no adverse effect on property values. If it happens they will be held accountable in legal actions much like those in other communities against wind developers and their agents. In fact, already some property has been devalued when the only thing that is different is the threat of the leaseholders' windmills.
Ms Escandon brings up another important point. Realtors need to have up-to-date information and provide honest reliable assessments to potential buyers.
Realtors in Cape Vincent have it. Wind has decreased the value of homes and made them nearly impossible to sell. Anyone would be nuts to buy in Cape Vincent until Bee Pee announces they will be leaving. Wolfe Island is a production flop and won't be sustained. That will be only a few years. It might be wise to stay away from local dealers known to be pro wind. A couple of them have family with contracts. They might not be honest about what wind does to property values and sales. But in the long term I think the Cape will boom if wind goes away. A young person could get a cheap home then fight like hell to drive out wind and then see a good investment.
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