Secretary to the Siting Board
Hon. Jaclyn A. Brilling
I have been a regular visitor to the St. Lawrence River and the 1000 Islands Region of New York State since the early 1960's. Once I became familiar with the Cape Vincent, New York area, I fell in love with a section called the Tibbetts Point Lighthouse Road.
This road runs from the village of Cape Vincent to the historic
lighthouse on Tibbetts Point. This is where Lake Ontario forms the St.
Lawrence River. There are no houses on the river side of the road.
Directlly across the river is Wolfe Island, Ontario, Canada.
I dreamed for years of owning property and a home on this road. I
wanted to sit on my front deck and watch the river run, the wildlife and
the seaway traffic.
In 2006 that dream came true. My wife and I were able to buy 7.7 acres
for $313,000. We started to build our river home in 2006 and finished
it in 2007. It was built by a local contractor. When it was completed
in 2007, our total investment in this land, house and landscaping came
to $1,036,000. A nice addition to the local tax base.
Shortly after we took possession of this home the Province of Ontario
authorized the construction of wind turbines on Wolfe Island, Ontario,
Canada directly across the river from our new home. We can now see 67
of them from our front deck. At night instead of stars, we have
flashing red lights. We hear the turbine noise 24 hours a day if the
wind is from the west or northwest.
Two real estate agents have told us that if we were to try and sell our
new home at this time we would be lucky to sell it for $500,000 to
$600,000. A reduction of my
investment of some 40-50%. I say again, a loss of 40-50%. The reason
they give is the view shed of 67 wind turbines on Wolfe Island and the
threat of British Petroleum constructing 100 plus 499 foot tall wind
turbines around the village of Cape Vincent, NY.
Industrial wind turbines should not be allowed to built anywhere there
are residences that will see devaluation of their property value of
20-50 %. There is no logic that can justify doing so.
The western end of Wolfe Island, Canada is now a real estate grave yard
and will remain so until such time that the turbines are gone. The same
effect will be felt all around the village and town of Cape Vincent if
BP is allowed to construct turbines. It will be a real estate grave
yard for years and the financial blow to the local tax base will be
devastating.
Industrial wind turbines do not belong near people and residences. Why
should our tax dollars be used to subsidize their operation while at the
same time we see our property devalued? There is only one answer to
the question - it should not be allowed to happen.
There is no single individual on the Siting Board, the PSC or in power in Albany that would want this situation forced on them..
Please do not allow this travesty to be forced on our area. It would
destroy the 1000 Islands; one of the natural jewels of New York State.
Respectfully submitted
Tom McMullen
