What you can do to participate   Lighthouse Wind Project PSS (pdf)

Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary
Public Service Commission,
Three Empire State Plaza,
Albany, New York 12223-1350

Neil Habig, Sr Director Project Development
Apex Clean Energy, Inc.
330 Province Line Road
Skillman, NJ 08558
neil.habig@apexcleanenergy.com
Ph: 609-933-4293
  Every letter matters!
Let the New York State Department of Public Services (DPS) know your thoughts about the Industrial Wind Turbine Project through their Public Comments page and Include your personal story if appropriate:

Here's the link to the Public Comments page:
State of NY Siting Board project documents on Apex project (submitted as Lighthouse Wind)

Note - When writing to the NYS siting board about Lighthouse Wind you must refer to the
Case# 14-F-0485.

Department of Public Service Staff Comments of Preliminary Scoping Statement - 1/12/2016 (pdf)

 
 


Exercise your right to participate in the decision making process. Your opinion matters! Let your voice be heard!

Write your local officials. Write weekly! Copy every member of each board, send via email & regular mail.

 
Town of Somerset | website (All emails through form on town website)
 
Somerset Town Board
8700 Haight Rd, PO Box 368, Barker, NY 14012
Supervisor: Daniel Engert
Council members: Gary Alt, Robin Jansen, Jeffrey Dewart,
Town Clerk: Tracy L. Carmer
 
Somerset Planning Board
8700 Haight Rd, PO Box 368, Barker, NY 14012
Chairman: Jon Hotaling
Board members: Krista Ann Atwater, Chris Szelusta, Gary Few, Norman Jansen
 
Somerset Zoning Advisory Committee
8700 Haight Rd, PO Box 368, Barker NY 14012
Councilman Alt and Councilman Wayner
 
Village of Barker | website
 
Town Board
8708 Main St, Barker, NY 14012
Mayor: Aaron Nellist (villageofbarkermayor@gmail.com)
Deputy: Janice Rider
Trustees:Gregory P Kerth, Kimberly Ruffini, James Baker
Clerk: Amanda M Detschner
 
School Board | website
1628 Quaker Rd, Barker, NY 14012
President: Randall B Atwater
Vice President: John E Sweeny Jr.
Board members: Candace Gancasz, Mary Jo Clemens-Harris, Louis J Mead, Heather Ecker, Virginia Voss
 
Town of Yates | website
 
Town Board
8 South Main St, Lyndonville, NY 14098
Supervisor: James Simon (jsimon@townofyates.org)
Councilmen: John Riggi (jriggi@townofyates.org), Wes Bradley (wbradley@townofyates.org), Jim Whipple (jwhipple@townofyates.org),  Bradley Bentley (bbentley@townofyates.org)
Town Clerk: Michelle Harling (townclerk@townofyates.org)
 
Planning Board
8 South Main St, Lyndonville, NY 14098
Chairman: Donald Lamay (donrlamay@gmail.com)
Board members: Richard Kurz, Ralph Smith (rsmith@townofyates.org), Mark Hughes, Edward Urbanik (e.urbanik@townofyates.org), Gary Daum (alternate), Dawn Metty
 
Zoning Board
8 South Main St, Lyndonville, NY 14098
Chairman: Gary Daum (gdaum@townofyates.org)
Board members: Patrick O’Brien (p.obrien@townofyates.org), Paul Lauze (plauze@townofyates.org), Michael Boring (mboring@townofyates.org), Don Melfi, Deputy Clerk: Dawn Metty
 
Village of Lyndonville | website
 
Lyndonville Village Board
2 South Main St, PO Box 270, Lyndonville, NY 14098
Email: villageoflyndonville@rochester.twcbc.com
Mayor: John Belson - jbelson@rochester.twcbc.com
Trustees: Charles Covell, Andrew Cousins, Danny Woodward Jr.
Clerk/Treasurer  Teri Woodworth
 
Lyndonville School Board
25 Housel Avenue, Lyndonville, NY 14098  
President: Theodore Lewis (boe@lyndonville.wnyric.org)
Vice President: Richard Mufford
Board Members: Kelly Cousins, Susan Hrovat, Terry Stinson, Harold Suhr


Write to County & NY State Representatives

 
Niagara County Legislature | website
  Chairman: Keith McNall
716-439-7000
Niagara County  Courthouse, 1st Floor,
175 Hawley St, Lockport, NY 14094-2740
 
District 14 Representative:
John Syracuse (John.Syracuse@niagaracounty.com)
6091 Condren Rd, Newfane, NY 14108
 
Orleans County Legislature | website
 
Chairman: David B Callard (David.Callard@orleansny.com)
ViceChair: Lynne M Johnson (Lynne.Johnson@orleansny.com)
Orleans County Legislative Offices, 3 South Main St, Suite 2
Courthouse Sq, Albion, NY 14411
 
District 1: William H Eick
District 2: Lynne M Johnson (Yates Ridgeway)
District 3: Fred Miller
District 4: Kenneth A DeRoller
At Large West: David B Callard
At Large Central: Donald J Allport
At Large East: E John DiFilipps
Clerk: Nadine Hanlon
Attorney: David Schubel
 
Orleans County and State Officials
 
 
Niagara  County and State Officials
 
 
Governor Andrew M Coumo
 
The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of New York State
NYS State Capital Building, Albany, NY 12224
518-474-8390
 
Senator Robert G Ortt – District 62
 
175 Walnut St., Suite 6 Lockport, NY 14094
716-434-0680
(Ortt@nysenate.gov)
 
Legislative Office Bldg Rm 815, Albany, NY 12247
518-455-2024
 
Assemblyman Stephen Hawley (Yates) – District 139
 
121 N Main St, Suite 100, Albion, NY 14411
585-589-5780
(HawleyS@nyassembly.gov)
 
Room 329 LOB, Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5811
 
Assemblyman Michael J. Norris - District 144(Somerset)
 
8180 Main St, Clarence, NY 14221
716-839-4691
(norrism@nyassembly.gov)
 
LOB 718, Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4601
 
Rose Harvey, Commissioner | website
 
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Albany, NY 12238
518-474-0456
 
Commissioner Basil Seggos | website
 
NY State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1010
518-402-8545
 
Gregg C Sayre - Interim Chairman | website
 
NY Public Service Commission, 90 Church St, New York, NY 10007
518-474-2523
 
Hon. Kathleen H Burgess, Secretary to the Commissioner
 
NY Public Service Commission, 90 Church St, New York, NY 10007
518-474-6530
(secretary@dps.ny.gov)


Write to your Federal Representative

Senator Chuck Schumer | website
322 Hart Senate Office Bldg, Washington, DC 20510
202-224-6542
130 S Elmwood Ave Rm 660, Buffalo, NY 14202
716-846-4111
100 St St Rm 3040, Rochester, NY 14614
585-263-5866
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand | website
478 Russell Senate Office Bldg, Washington DC 20510
202-224-4451
726 Exchange St, Suite 511, Buffalo, NY 14210
716-854-9725
100 State St, Rm 4195, Rochester, NY 14614
585-263-6250
Representative Chris Collins | website
House of Rep 27th Congressional District
128 Main St, Unit 2, Genesseo, NY 14454
585-519-4002
2813 Wehrle Dr, Suite 13,Williamsville,NY 14221
716-634-2324
1117 Longworth House Office Bldg, Washington, DC 20515
202-225-5265

 
Write to the Siting Board expressing your concerns

  • Write a letter about one or more issues and your concerns and post it on the Siting Board public comment section for the Lighthouse Wind project.

  • Include your personal story if appropriate. 
    State of NY Siting Board project documents on Apex project (submitted as Lighthouse Wind)

  • Note - When writing to the NYS siting board about Lighthouse Wind you must refer to the Case# 14-F-0485.

  • Send letters to:
    Secretary to the Commission
    Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess

    New York State Public Service Commission
    Empire State Plaza
    Agency Building 3
    Albany, NY 12223-1350

    Phone: (518) 474-6530
    Fax:   (518) 474-9842
    Email: secretary@dps.ny.gov


Ask direct pointed questions of the Apex Project Manager in writing. He has to respond to them according to the Article 10 process.

  • Neil Habig, Sr Director Project Development
    Apex Clean Energy, Inc.
    330 Province Line Road
    Skillman, NJ 08558
    neil.habig@apexcleanenergy.com
    Ph: 609-933-4293

Attend your Town Board Meetings
If you are interested in the future of your town, PLEASE attend all meetings of your town boards. Read the minutes of their meetings on their website. Check their website for special meetings or hearlngs. Do not let them tell you “THIS IS OUT OF OUR HANDS”. That is NOT true.

Yates, Somerset, Hartland, Ridgeway & Newfane Town Meeting Schedules (pdf)
We need community input and support! Please join us!

  • Town of Somerset | website
    Check website or call office (716) 795-3575 to determine if a meeting is scheduled. No workshops prior to board meetings.
    • Town Board:  2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM
    • Planning Board: 1st Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM
    • Zoning Board of Appeals & Zoning Advisory Committee: Meet as needed on 4th Wednesday of the month

  • Village of Barker | website
    • Village Board: 2nd Monday of the month at 7 PM
    • Planning Board: 1st Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM
    • School Board: 3d Monday of the month at 7 PM in the board conference room 192

  • Town of Yates | website
    • Town Board: 2nd Thursday of the month at 7 PM
    • Planning Board: 1st Thursday of the month at 7 PM
    • Zoning Board: Meet as needed at 7:00pm at the Town Hall

  • Village of Lyndonville | website
    • School Board | website
    • Town Board: 1st Monday of the month at 6 PM
    • School Board: 2nd Monday of the month at 7 PM

  • Town of Harland | website
    • Town Board: 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM

  • Town of Ridgeway | website
    • Zoning Board: 1st Tuesday of the month at 7pm
    • Planning Board Meetings: 1st Wednesday of the month at 7pm
    • Town Board Meetings: 3rd Monday of the month at 7pm

  • Town of Newfane | website
    • Town Board Meetings: 4th Wednesday of the month in the town meeting room (unless otherwise published) at 7pm


Send copies of your letters to newspapers and online news services

OrleansHub | website
Tom Rivers (news@orleanshub.com)
OrleansHub.com, PO Box 231, 170 N. Main St, Albion, NY 14411
585-589-5641
Lake Country Penny Saver | website
170 North Main St, PO Box 231, Albion, NY 14411
585-589-5641
Buffalo News | website
Press releases:
citydesk@buffnews.com
fax to 716-856-5150

Rules on opinion pieces: http://corp.buffalonews.com/how-do-i/guidelines-opinion-submissions/
Letters to Editor:
lettertoeditor@buffnews.com
Rules: No more than 250 words, must include writers name, address day and evening phone numbers.
MyView:
600 words personal narrative open to all WNY writers
Another Voice:
editpage@buffnews.com
460 words Issue oriented column requiring background or expertise on subject!
Rochester Democrat & Chronicle | website
dceditpage@democratandchronicle.com
Lockport Union Sun & Journal | website
contactus@lockportjournal.com
 
East Niagara Post | website
 
news@eastniagarapost.com
The Daily News On-Line | website
 
Biz@BataviaNews.com

Talking Points

Below are talking points for you to include in your letters and editorials.  Examples that can be cited can be found on the Studies and Resources page.  Consider giving examples that relate directly to this project and to your town, local businesses, neighbors and family.  Letters that address one or two issues at a time are most helpful.

Environmental:

  • Industrial wind turbines cause noise pollution, shadow flicker effect, red flashing lights at night
  • Construction will have negative effects on traffic, local roads/infrastructure
  • Small amount of energy generated; use of energy when winds aren’t at exact/optimum speeds
  • Industrial wind turbines cause electromagnetic interference with cell phones, television, radar
  • Project is located in a Great Lakes coastal region on Lake Ontario and is counter to Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan by the Towns of Yates, Carlton and Kendall that was approved by NY State.    
  • Dangers include ice throws, fires, danger of ground water contamination due to lubricant spills,  lightning strikes, stray voltage.
  • Project will have a negative impact on agriculture because bats, that provide millions of dollars worth of natural pesticide in our region annually, are killed in alarming numbers by industrial wind turbines.

Wildlife & Birding

  • Birding in the Towns of Yates and Somerset (pdf)
  • Wildlife is displaced due to roads, turbine construction, removal of trees.
  • Low sound frequency and infrasound has negative effects on livestock and wildlife
  • Turbine blades kill and injure birds, raptors, bats and waterfowl. 
  • Lake Ontario Shoreline is a major migratory flyway of North America.  In the spring and fall large numbers of birds, raptors and bats migrate and use the near shore habitats as staging ground. 
  • Nesting eagles are in the region of the turbines.
  • The turbine project area is home to numerous endangered species including: Golden Eagle, Short-eared owl.
  • Turbines are lit at night and this negatively affects wildlife in a formerly dark skies region. 

Human Health

  • Negative human health effects are caused by low frequency noise, infrasound, shadow flicker effect, red flashing lights at night
  • People around the world who live near turbines report health conditions including: sleep disorders, headaches, concentration difficulties, tinnitus, nausea, impaired heart rate, and anxiety
  • Studies showing negative health effects of living near industrial wind turbines are increasing. 
  • Wind turbine size has increased and the sounds they emit have also increased.

Property Values

  • Lower property values: common sense and many studies (by independent scientists and professional appraisers) refute the study touted by wind companies. Reports of  people unable to sell their property and even some deserting their homes
  • Lake properties will be especially effected. This will affect how the taxes are distributed in the towns. 

Tourism/Character of Region:

  • Proposed along the southern shore of Lake Ontario, home to Niagara Wine Trail and the New York Seaway Trail (which is a National Scenic Byway)
  • Negative effects on tourism, recreation and local businesses as people avoid industrial zone.
  • Tearing communities apart (one only has to talk to impacted communities and watch documentary Windfall)
  • Counter to Local Waterfront Revitalization Program adopted and approved by NYS in accordance with provisions of the Waterfront Revitalization of Coastal Areas and Inland Waterways Act (Executive Law, Article 42) and its implementing regulations (6NYCRR 601)
  • Not economically feasible without tax incentives to company
  • Proposed industrial wind turbines are so tall (570 feet, almost twice the size of the Statue of Liberty, taller than any buildings in Western New York) they will change the rural/quiet/beautiful character of region.
 
 
 


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