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Showing posts with label yates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yates. Show all posts
Saturday, March 5, 2016
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
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news@eastniagarapost.com
 |
| Rob Ortt |
Senator Rob Ortt (R,C,I – North Tonawanda) today thanked Governor Cuomo for responding to his pressing request to appoint a representative from Orleans County to the Lighthouse Wind LLC Siting Board. The Governor’s Appointments Office has announced the appointment of Russell Martino, a Town of Yates resident and former Yates town supervisor.
The seven-member Siting Board will review the final application by Apex Clean Energy in its project proposal to construct up to 70 wind turbines in the towns of Yates and Somerset. The turbines would be as tall as 600 feet.
“I commend Governor Como for fulfilling the role that Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie failed to follow through on,” said Senator Ortt. “Russ was a wise decision for this appointment. When Russ was the town supervisor, he was instrumental in drawing up the wind ordinance laws in 2008. He is well-versed in this issue. I have no doubt he will honorably voice the serious concerns raised by property owners, businesses, farmers and local representatives.”
Russ Martino said, “I’ve lived in the Town of Yates for 50 years now and am very invested and involved in my community. I’ve seen what this issue is doing to our community; residents don’t feel they’re being heard. I hope to be the voice of my community members who don’t want this project to move forward in our town.”
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I – Batavia) said, “I would like to congratulate Russell Martino on his appointment as an ad hoc member of the board of the Yates Wind Project. I am pleased to see that Orleans County will be fairly represented in this process and that the board is allowing ordinary citizens to voice concerns about local projects. As I’ve said before, this is a local project that would greatly impact the Yates community and I fully support the decision to oppose the APEX Clean Energy Lighthouse, LLC. Local citizens know what is best for their community and this appointment is a great example of transparent and inclusive government.”
State Senate Majority leader John Flanagan and State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie were required to appoint a siting board member from nominations approved by host municipalities of where the project is being proposed. Senator Flanagan chose his representative from the Town of Somerset in Niagara County. Assemblyman Heastie, however, failed to meet his obligation, and the responsibility to select a board member fell on the governor.
Senator Ortt wrote a letter to Governor Cuomo, which can be found here, immediately following Assemblyman Heastie’s shortcomings. In the letter sent in January, Senator Ortt advocated for greater local involvement by moving siting decisions away from politicians and bureaucrats in Albany and giving back to local officials.
Apex Clean Energy has not formally submitted an application for the project.
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Thursday, January 7, 2016
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
WHEATFIELD -- The proposed installation of 70 industrial wind turbines by Apex in the towns of Somerset and Yates could jeopardize the future of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, according to a letter signed by the former commander and vice commander of the 107th Airlift Wing, and the former vice commander of the 914th Airlift Wing.
A Wednesday afternoon press conference at the air base brought the concerns to light when Somerset Supervisor Daniel Engert and Somerset's special counsel Dennis Vacco of Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP shared the letter outside the air base main entrance.
The letter, written at the request of Save Ontario Shores, a group opposed to the planned turbines, was sent to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, and New York State’s Article 10 Siting Board, which will make the final decision on the Apex application to install the industrial wind turbines.
In the letter, the former Air Force Pilots wrote:
The letter has also been distributed to local, state and federal elected officials, the Niagara Military Affairs Council and to the New York State Public Service Commission.
For more on Save Ontario Shores, visit lakeontarioturbines.com.
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A Wednesday afternoon press conference at the air base brought the concerns to light when Somerset Supervisor Daniel Engert and Somerset's special counsel Dennis Vacco of Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP shared the letter outside the air base main entrance.
W. Robin Pfiel, Col. USAF (ret.), John J. Higgins, Col. USAF (ret.) and Thomas Keough, Col. USA (ret.), say the turbines, which could stand as tall as 620 feet, will inject a major encroachment into the Military Operating Area (MOA) around the air base, resulting in a major threat to NFARS when the next Base Realignment and Closure recommendations are made, possibly as soon as 2017.
In the letter, the former Air Force Pilots wrote:
The reasons for this conclusion revolve around these aspects of flight operations at the base:
The current C-130 operations maintain a number of low level training routes (generally 500 feet above ground level (AGL), but as low as 300 feet AGL, on some routes. These routes depart NFARS on a common departure path, in a northeasterly direction. In the area of the lake shore, east of Wilson NY, the individual routes commence with a turn in various directions, as per the routes design. Additionally, there is an established high speed route, established primarily for fighter aircraft, that is in the same general area; and it is also cleared down to 300 feet AGL.
As the Air National Guard in its MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) mission, it is intended to station MQ-9 aircraft at NFARS. Their mission would have the RPA depart NFARS, proceed to Lake Ontario, and fly up to the Fort Drum ranges, utilizing the existing MOA and restricted area over Lake Ontario. After the mission it would return to back to NFARS and would transit the area of concern in its recovery to NFARS.
The intended development area is in the flyway of migratory birds. We are concerned that a westerly shift in the flyway, as a result of the wind turbines, could heavily impact flight safety at NFARS.
The future of the NFARS, its current and potential military usefulness, could very well rest on the decision made by your administration on this proposed project. If the base were to lose its competitive advantage in the area of encroachment, its position with the next BRAC would be seriously compromised. A decision to permit the APEX project will create estimated 5-10 full time jobs. If the next BRAC were to recommend and succeed in closing the NFARS the cost will be nearly 3200 jobs!
The letter has also been distributed to local, state and federal elected officials, the Niagara Military Affairs Council and to the New York State Public Service Commission.
For more on Save Ontario Shores, visit lakeontarioturbines.com.
- RELATED LINKS:
- Save Ontario Shores to hold public meeting
- Ortt wants wind farm more thoroughly studied
- Somerset retains attorney over wind farm issue
- LETTER: Home rule needed in wind turbine issue
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Wednesday, January 6, 2016
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
The group opposing the creation of industrial wind turbines in Somerset and Yates say the giant windmills could pose a threat to the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.
The organization, Save Ontario Shores, is slated to have a press conference at the air base this afternoon led by Town of Somerset Supervisor Daniel Engert. Also expected to speak is attorney Dennis Vacco, partner, Litigation Practice Group, Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP, and special counsel to the Town of Somerset.
The 2 p.m. press conference will be held outside the main Lockport Road entrance to Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.
For more information, visit: www.lakeontarioturbines.com.
RELATED LINKS:
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
news@eastniagarapost.com
The organization, Save Ontario Shores, is slated to have a press conference at the air base this afternoon led by Town of Somerset Supervisor Daniel Engert. Also expected to speak is attorney Dennis Vacco, partner, Litigation Practice Group, Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP, and special counsel to the Town of Somerset.
The 2 p.m. press conference will be held outside the main Lockport Road entrance to Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.
For more information, visit: www.lakeontarioturbines.com.
RELATED LINKS:
- Save Ontario Shores to hold public meeting
- Ortt wants wind farm more thoroughly studied
- Somerset retains attorney over wind farm issue
- LETTER: Home rule needed in wind turbine issue
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
Thursday, December 3, 2015
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
BARKER -- Save Ontario Shores (SOS), will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Barker Fire Hall, 1660 Quaker Road. to provide Orleans and Niagara county residents to discuss plans by Apex to install as many as 70 industrial wind turbines in the towns of Yates and Somerset.
SOS describes itself as "a citizens coalition formed to address threats to the health, safety and welfare of residents regarding the industrial wind turbines, including sound emitting from the turbines; change to the rural nature of the area with the addition of turbines; potential health risks for those within earshot of the turbines; effect on wildlife, local businesses and those who spend the majority of their time outside, including farm stand owners, farmers and lake shore residents."
Among the speakers will be Somerset Supervisor Dan Engert; John Riggi, SOS president and Yates council member-elect; Jim Simon, Yates supervisor-elect; and former New York State Attorney General Dennis Vacco.
Residents will be updated on the filing of the Preliminary Scoping Statement for the project, and what it means to local taxpayers. Potential impacts on the future of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base will also be discussed.
Standing nearly 600 feet, the industrial wind turbines would be the tallest in New York State, easily over shadowing every building in Western New York, including the 38-story One Seneca Tower (529 feet) in downtown Buffalo. The turbines would also be taller than the Washington Monument (555 feet) and twice the height of the Statue of Liberty (305 feet, base to torch).
For more information, visit: www.lakeontarioturbines.com.
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
news@eastniagarapost.com
SOS describes itself as "a citizens coalition formed to address threats to the health, safety and welfare of residents regarding the industrial wind turbines, including sound emitting from the turbines; change to the rural nature of the area with the addition of turbines; potential health risks for those within earshot of the turbines; effect on wildlife, local businesses and those who spend the majority of their time outside, including farm stand owners, farmers and lake shore residents."
Among the speakers will be Somerset Supervisor Dan Engert; John Riggi, SOS president and Yates council member-elect; Jim Simon, Yates supervisor-elect; and former New York State Attorney General Dennis Vacco.
Residents will be updated on the filing of the Preliminary Scoping Statement for the project, and what it means to local taxpayers. Potential impacts on the future of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base will also be discussed.
Standing nearly 600 feet, the industrial wind turbines would be the tallest in New York State, easily over shadowing every building in Western New York, including the 38-story One Seneca Tower (529 feet) in downtown Buffalo. The turbines would also be taller than the Washington Monument (555 feet) and twice the height of the Statue of Liberty (305 feet, base to torch).
For more information, visit: www.lakeontarioturbines.com.
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
State Sen. Rob Ortt calls the process regarding the proposed Lighthouse Wind Project in the towns of Somerset and Yates "extremely disappointing and frustrating," and says he wants the issue more thoroughly studied.
The North Tonawanda Republican said there have been "scarce details" released on the potential environmental and health risks of the project. He also said he feels there should be more local input into the licensing process for the proposed wind farm -- or others like it.
Ortt released a statement today to the press. It follows in its entirety:
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
news@eastniagarapost.com
|
| Rob Ortt |
The North Tonawanda Republican said there have been "scarce details" released on the potential environmental and health risks of the project. He also said he feels there should be more local input into the licensing process for the proposed wind farm -- or others like it.
Ortt released a statement today to the press. It follows in its entirety:
The process thus far has been extremely disappointing and frustrating for local residents and government officials. I’m hopeful that the next phase will address the serious concerns raised by property owners, businesses, farmers, and local representatives. We cannot have such a dramatic change in our community – potential risks to our environment, health, and property – with scarce details provided by developers and without community input. For this reason, I’ve been adamant in calling for a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) to study the impact that a project of this scale will have on our community. While federal aviation officials are studying the effect wind turbines will have on our skies and how it will impact local air traffic, the state needs to increase its diligence on this matter. I’ve also advocated for greater local involvement by moving siting decisions away from politicians and bureaucrats in Albany – and giving it back to local officials. I will continue working with concerned citizens as well as officials at the town, county, state, and federal level.
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
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