County rejects offshore turbines

Jefferson County legislators voted Tuesday against offshore wind power development in Lake Ontario.

The 14-0 vote came after officials from New York Power Authority, the state government's entity promoting a possible offshore wind power project 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 Legislature Chairman Kenneth D. Blankenbush, R-Black River.

NYPA asked developers in December to submit proposals to build up to 500 megawatts of wind power, or 166 turbines, 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.

Richard M. Kessel, NYPA president and chief executive officer, said before the vote that the authority would abide by the Legislature's decision.

"If Jefferson County doesn't want the project, it won't come here," Mr. Kessel said during his presentation. "But until you have a project before you, it seems premature to say you oppose it."

He predicted thousands of manufacturing, storage, staging and construction jobs from a project.

"There are more than 8,000 parts in a turbine," he said. "More than half of them can be manufactured here locally."

He mentioned those who do not have jobs because of the layoffs at Alcoa and the closed General Motors plant in Massena.

"These are the very people who could use their hands and their skills to do these jobs," he said.

Legislator Michael J. Docteur, R-Cape Vincent, pointed out that many of those jobs would be temporary, lasting a year or two.

Legislator Philip N. Reed, R-Fishers Landing, asked Mr. Kessel what the county should expect in return for the damage to the lake.

"More than 50 years ago, we were part of the project of the Seaway and we were told we would have access to some of the cheapest power rates in the world," Mr. Reed said. "But electricity rates are still a huge burden on businesses."

Mr. Kessel replied, "I would not allow a project to go forward without a community benefit package, including the possibility of a payment in lieu of taxes."

Jefferson and Oswego county legislators have formed the Joint Commission for the Preservation of Lake Ontario Communities, a group opposed to the possible offshore development.

The Oswego County Legislature on Thursday will consider a resolution similar to the one Jefferson County passed Tuesday.

After the vote, most of the crowd of 60 people stood and applauded the legislators' decision.

During Mr. Kessel's presentation, he asserted that other communities, including Niagara County, want the project.

"I think we could add another paragraph to show that we support Niagara County's effort to get the project," Legislator Kent D. Burto, R-West Carthage, said to laughs from the public and other board members.

"Are you serious?" asked Mr. Blankenbush.

"Yes, I'm serious," Mr. Burto replied.