Promoting wind power goal of energy coalition

Despite the focus of the recent Associated Press article that profiled New York's Maple Ridge Wind Farm as locally controversial, findings of the "First Annual Lewis County Survey of the Community," released in October 2007 (www.sunyjefferson.edu/ccs/2007LC_report.pdf) showed that by a 4-1 margin, Lewis County residents believe that the "development of the Maple Ridge Wind Farm has had a positive effect on Lewis County." Furthermore, 77 percent of respondents supported expansion.

In fact, support for wind power in New York state is strong and growing. The same week the AP article ran in papers around the country, grass-roots supporters from across New York announced the formation of the Renewable Energy Advocates Coalition (REAC), a collaboration of groups working around the state to promote clean energy and advocate for local wind power developments. The coalition representing over 80,000 like-minded individuals includes grass-roots community groups, environmental organizations and neighbors of operating wind farms.

Wind energy is clean, renewable and helps preserve rural landscapes and family farms. Wind farms can help to turn around the upstate economy with new revenue for school districts and local governments, such as the Lowville district mentioned in the article.

Communities must each decide independently whether wind is right for their town, but many, as Martinsburg Supervisor Terry Thiesse stated, are finding that the benefits far outweigh the objections of a few. In Madison County, N.Y., the Fenner Wind Farm is an object of community pride. Local residents created the Fenner Renewable Energy Education (FREE) Center there to educate their many visitors about the benefits of renewable energy technologies, including wind.

REAC has been created to provide New Yorkers with a solid foundation for education and support of clean renewable energy at the local level. REAC recognizes the significant environmental and economic benefits that wind power represents for all of our futures, and we applaud Ed Yancey for passing along the gift of sustainability to his children.

Beth A. White

Cape Vincent