Jefferson County legislators oppose offshore wind project

Jefferson County legislators voted unanimously for a resolution opposing a possible offshore wind development in Lake Ontario waters near the county.

The vote came after officials from New York Power Authority, the state government's entity forwarding offshore wind development in Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, argued the benefits of having a development in the area.

"I believe community leaders and people who live in the waterfront communities have spoken about the importance of having the lake remain what it is today," said Kenneth D. Blankenbush, R-Black River, chairman of the board.

Richard M. Kessel, president and chief executive officer, spoke and answered questions for more than an hour on the project.

"If Jefferson County opposes the project, it will not come here," he said.

But he argued the project would lead to thousands of construction and manufacturing jobs and a community benefit package for the county.

Jefferson and Oswego County legislators have formed an opposition group, Joint Commission for the Preservation of Lake Ontario Communities, to the possible offshore development.

NYPA asked developers in December to submit proposals to build up to 500 megawatts of wind power, possibly spread out over several potential sites, including 10 sites in Lake Ontario and 13 sites in Lake Erie. Those sites were chosen in part because they have average wind speeds of at least 16.8 mph, have water depths of less than 150 feet and lie 2.3 miles or farther offshore.

One site spreads from Galloo Island north to Grenadier Island and another stretches from Galloo Island south along the eastern shore in Oswego County. Proposals are due June 1.

After the board voted 14-0 for the resolution opposing the project, most in the crowd of about 60 people stood and applauded the decision.