Official: project moving forward

MASSENA — New York Power Authority President and CEO Richard M. Kessel says Jefferson County's opposition to a proposed offshore wind facility won't prevent the project from happening, it may simply prevent it from happening in Jefferson County.

Mr. Kessel said plans for installing up to 500 megawatts of offshore wind capacity at several proposed locations on Lake Ontario and Lake Erie are moving forward, despite vocal opposition from some areas of the state, including Jefferson County.

The Jefferson County Board of Legislators is expected to entertain a resolution opposing the NYPA effort next week.

The NYPA boss plans to attend the Tuesday meeting to clear up what he believes are misconceptions about the project and to make it clear to Jefferson County officials he plans to pursue the project with or without their help.

"This isn't the old Power Authority," Mr. Kessel said Thursday. "If a community is really against this, we're not going to put it there. We'll take the project and the thousands of jobs that come with it and go somewhere else."

Mr. Kessel also said officials may not have taken the time to acquaint themselves with the project yet, especially since many of the details are still being worked out, making opposition to the effort premature.

"I think people are premature in opposing something they know nothing about," Mr. Kessel said. "I know there's been some grumbling, especially from Jefferson County. There are some issues people have raised — aesthetic issues, PILOTs — and it's fine to ask questions about those things, but it's premature to oppose something that's not really out there yet."

There are a number of other communities in Western and Northern New York that have expressed interest and even excitement about the possibility of participating in the offshore wind project, Mr. Kessel said.

If those communities are willing to welcome the project, NYPA may choose to partner with them, he said.

"My view is there are enough counties and communities that want this," Mr. Kessel said. "For those who are already against it, well, you can explain to your constituents, when thousands of jobs go somewhere else, what you did."

Mr. Kessel said NYPA is in the process of teaming up windmill manufacturers and developers who may be able to work together on proposals, which are due in June.

He pointed out that each wind turbine contains about 800 different parts, creating a number of opportunities in the manufacturing and service industries in communities around the project area.