How You Can Act Now

 

What you can do to Participate

Lighthouse Wind Project

Informative documents about the project:

Apex Clean Energy Headquarters
Court Square Building
310 4th St. NE, Suite 300
Charlottesville, VA 22902
info@apexcleanenergy.com
Phone: 434.220.7595

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.

Public Comments Page:
State of NY Siting Board project documents on Apex project (submitted as Lighthouse Wind)

Address for mailing comments:
Hon. Michelle L. Phillips

Secretary to the Commission
New York State Public Service Commission
Agency Building 3
Albany, NY 12223-1350

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

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: Robin Jansen, Jeffrey Dewart, Jon Hotaling, Chris Bronson
Town Clerk: Tracy L. Carmer

Somerset Planning Board
8700 Haight Rd, PO Box 368, Barker, NY 14012
Board members: Krista Ann Atwater, Chris Szelusta, Norman Jansen, Charles Neal, III, Laura Bishop

Somerset Zoning Advisory Committee
8700 Haight Rd, PO Box 368, Barker NY 14012
Councilman Hotaling and Councilwoman Bronson

Village of Barker | website
Town Board

8708 Main St, Barker, NY 14012
Mayor: Aaron Nellist (villageofbarkermayor@gmail.com)
Deputy: Gregory P. Kerth
Trustees:James Baker, Seanna Corwin-Bradley, Benjamin Seward
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),  Harold Suhr (hsuhr@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), 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: Andrew Cousins (acousins@rochester.twcbc.com), Danny Woodward Jr. (dwoodward@rochester.twcbc.com), Mary Kage, Darren Wilson, Clerk/Treasurer Teri Woodworth

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: Lynne M Johnson (Lynne.Johnson@orleansny.com)
ViceChair: Donald Allport (Donald.Alport@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: Merle L. Draper
At Large Central: Donald J Allport
At Large East: E John DiFilipps
Clerk: Nadine Hanlon
Attorney: David Schubel

Niagara  County and State

Officialshttp://www.niagaracounty.com/CountyInformation/GovernmentalRepresentatives

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
Commissioner Basil Seggos | website
NY State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1010
518-402-8545
John B. Rhodes, Chairman | website
NYS Public Service Commission
Three Empire State Plaza
Albany, New York 12223-1350
518-474-2523
Hon. Michelle L. Phillips
Secretary to the Commission
New York State Public Service Commission
Agency Building 3
Albany, NY 12223-1350
Phone: (518) 474-2500
(secretary@dps.ny.gov)

 

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

 

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 hearings. Do not let them tell you “THIS IS OUT OF OUR HANDS”. That is NOT true.

Yates, Somerset, Hartland, Ridgeway & Newfane Town Meeting Schedules.

We need community input and support! Please join us!

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
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 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm.

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 Hartland | website

  • Town Board: 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM

 

 

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:
Hon. Michelle L. Phillips
Secretary to the Commission

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

Phone: (518) 474-2500
Fax: (518) 474-9842
E-mail: secretary@dps.ny.gov

 

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
  • 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

The Daily News On-Line | website
Biz@BataviaNews.com

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

Apex Clean Energy Headquarters
Court Square Building
310 4th St. NE, Suite 300
Charlottesville, VA 22902
info@apexcleanenergy.com
Phone: 434.220.7595

Talking Points

Below are talking points for you to include in your letters and editorials. 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.  For more information on these topics please go to the “Why We Oppose” tab and click on the desired topic.

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.

 

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.

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. 

 

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.