Big Wind Becoming a Big Political Issue in NY-23

One of the biggest local issues people seem to be following is the PILOT in Jefferson County. Today we have the chance to get a broader sense from a private citizen named Jonathan Hirschey from Cape Vincent who has done some research into some of the issues associated with "Big Wind." And he brings forth some very compelling arguments against its expansion into Northern New York.

Mr. Hirschy also makes the claim that a majority of Cape Vincent town board had contracts with the wind developers when his father ran for Town Supervisor, and that those board members stood to gain financially from the expansion of Big Wind. This interview begs the question as to whether small town politicians and Big Wind are colluding in an effort to sell out our jobs, federal tax dollars and our environment for some personal financial gain. As political races in NY-23 build steam it will be interesting to see which candidates side with or against Big Wind. This is developing into a major local issue that candidates will eventually need to take a clear position on (don't count on the Watertown Times to keep them honest). To see why all the politicians are so quiet and why ordinary citizens are so outspoken, read on!

Buggs Buddy Question: Thank you for your time Jonathan. I am interested to know what are some of the most important things you have learned about wind development since the debate came to the eastern shores of Lake Ontario?

Jonathan Hirschey Response: Sure, I started researching wind energy after my father ran for office of Town Supervisor to address blatant conflicts on the Town Board. Otherwise, I hesitate to admit, I may not have given this the time and energy I otherwise would have. Thank God I did.

The most important thing I have learned is that wind energy is grossly misunderstood by the general population and that most people, like I was, are under the false assumption that it will lower our energy costs, our taxes, and significantly reduce greenhouse gases - it will not do any of these. I have learned that wind energy is not a good source of renewable energy - actually, considering the expansive amount of land you have to use, which is a finite resource - it shouldn't qualify as renewable at all. I have learned that people who thought that pursing wind energy is a good idea, didn't know all the facts, and, as I was, were very surprised when they heard them. I have learned wind energy is a very complex subject (I struggle even with a master's degree) and the developers rely on this to deceive the general public. I have learned that wind energy is a way for foreign companies like British Petroleum (UK) and Acciona (Spain) to tap into our Federal Stimulus dollars. There are plenty of subsidies in Great Britain too, but it should be of interest that they are still pulling out of those markets because our subsidies make the US market even more lucrative. I have learned that wind energy is about money, not pursuing a renewable resource. I have learned a single turbine would not be standing if it were not for the enormous economic subsidies our government has made available - probably because they are misinformed, just like I was. I have learned not a single turbine would have been erected without huge subsidies because economically, it does not make sense.

I have learned that, contrary to popular belief, producing power with wind will not decrease our dependence on foreign oil. I have learned that a major pretext developers are using to push wind energy is to say it will reduce our carbon emissions - it won't. I have learned that if humans were eliminated from the earth, there would only be a 0.28% reduction in greenhouse gases, since most of the greenhouse gases are naturally occurring anyway. And what part of that 0.28% do you think building turbines will have an effect on? A very small part. I have learned that the promises made by the wind developers in terms of the jobs they will create and the prosperity they will bring are empty promises. They don't create the jobs, and the efficiency is less than they claim it to be.

I have learned that the Maple Ridge developer in Lewis County, Flat Rock, is suing the municipalities to get their money back because they lost their Empire Zone status. The same law firm that is suing Lowville to get their money back is representing the wind developer for Galloo Island. They lost empire status because they didn't really create jobs, like they said they would. Instead they lost their status because Flat Rock "claimed it created jobs when it actually just transferred employees from one entity to the other." I have learned that building hundreds of turbines it is not environmentally responsible and changes the surroundings for generations. I have learned that wind energy just doesn't produce that much power, relatively speaking. One nuclear plant can produce about 1500 megawatts with a capacity value of almost 100 percent. This is extremely important because you need "base-load" power. We will always need to rely on traditional power plants other than wind, since the wind doesn't blow all the time. The capacity of wind factories started out at 8% but is probably less. All I have said so far pertains to land-based wind turbine installations, in general, such as places like Maple Ridge in Lewis County. This does not account for any additional sacrifices, such as the visual pollution or any of the numerous health problems that they create for people living near them. When you add the opportunity costs of what Jefferson County will lose in terms of tax-base from property devaluation, tourism and sport-fishing revenues, I am flabbergasted we are even considering such a course of action. And as staggering as the costs for land based turbines are, water based turbines are twice as expensive! So if it didn't make sense before, it definitely doesn't make sense in the water. Who do you think is paying for this nonsense? We are. I have learned there are numerous adverse health effects associated with turbines, but haven't had a chance to read all about them yet.

I have learned that on April 8th, 2008, Governor Paterson made a speech opposing the Broadwater energy project in Long Island Sound because of all the same concerns that people opposing wind projects on or near the water have here. He said, “One of my goals as Governor is to protect Long Island Sound, by preserving it as a valuable estuary, an economic engine for the region, and a key component to making Long Island’s quality of life one of the best in the country,” said Governor Paterson. “Broadwater does not pass that test. Shame on us if we can’t develop a responsible energy policy without sacrificing one of our greatest natural and economic resources.” How does that differ from Lake Ontario?? Shame on us is right.

I have learned that your views on wind energy should have nothing to do with being a Republican or Democrat or whether you are wealthy or poor. I have learned enough to know for certain that we should not be rushing into building industrial wind turbine complexes in Jefferson County any time soon - if ever.

BB: Some activits who oppose the PILOT say other local citizens who are also opposed to wind development are scared to speak up, that people are fearful of being targeted by elected town officials. Do you think there is any truth to that? Do you believe town officials are vindictive or that they have a real financial stake in the wind project? And have most of your inquiries been answered by local officials, regulators and developers who have an interest in seeing the project move forward on Galloo Island?

JH: I don't think local citizens are scared to speak up. I think that local citizens are just unfamiliar with how poor wind is as a "renewable" energy, or perhaps that they don't realize what is at stake, or they just don't care. I wasn't very motivated to learn about it until my father ran for public office in Cape Vincent so why would anyone else be? My father ran for Cape Vincent Town Supervisor because a majority of the town board had contracts with the wind developers and stood to gain financially, which most people would classify as a blatant conflict of interest. If you had asked me, before my research, if I thought Maple Ridge in Lowville was a good idea, I would have said, "Of course...," because of how uninformed I was. However, wind energy just doesn't make sense, no matter how you slice it. The state is just trying to meet some arbitrary Renewable Portfolio Standard and foreign wind companies are trying to cash in on our tax dollars (stimulus money).

I think it's incredible that almost all the major politicians, such as Darrel Aubertine, whose home town is Cape Vincent, and who, in June 2006 wrote a letter encouraging the conflicted board members to vote on the issue, have remained silent on the most controversial issue I have ever been a part of. I don't think any of the major politicians have taken a position on the issue. I mean, I know you're supposed to ride the fence, but come on.

BB: Will you be working to replace any legislator that supports the PILOT or other measures that would allow for expanded wind power development? What is your next plan of action in dealing with the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency?

JH: I don't have any leadership role in an organization fighting the PILOT, but as a constituent, I don't think there is any excuse for a politician to be ignorant of these facts I found time to learn or make a decision that is so irresponsible to the citizens of Jefferson County.