Jan 24, 2025
OBSERVER Photo by Gregory Bacon State Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, thanked the Chautauqua County Legislature for passing a resolution opposing wind turbines in Lake Erie.
MAYVILLE – Members of the Chautauqua County Legislature are going on record opposing wind turbines in Lake Erie.
They apparently are the first county government in the state to do so.
During the legislature meeting Wednesday night, county lawmakers unanimously approved a resolution opposing Lake Erie wind turbines and authorizing necessary steps to protect the county’s best interest.
The resolution notes that about 12 million people live in the Lake Erie watershed, and that about 11 million people get their drinking water from the lake, including Dunkirk and participants in the North Chautauqua County Water District.
Some of the concerns the resolution noted included:
– Disturbance of toxic industrial wastes in the lake bed, that may endanger drinking water
and aquatic ecosystems;
– Disruption of migratory pathways and behaviors of economically vital fish species;
– Negative effects on tourism and recreation;
– Unclear contributions to the Climate Act’s emissions reduction goals;
– Radar interference impacting maritime safety, recreational boating, search and rescue
operations, and border security;
– Release of microplastics and toxic chemicals, such as BPA and PFAS, from wind turbine
materials;
– Risks of oil spills from turbines and maintenance challenges during Lake Erie’s ice covered periods;
– Noise and vibrations affecting aquatic life and the enjoyment of Lake Erie by residents
and visitors;
– Impacts on migratory flyways of birds, bats, and butterflies;
– Effects on historic sites, such as shipwrecks and lighthouses;
– Potential conflicts with the Public Trust Doctrine and the rights of the Seneca Nation of
Indians to administer water quality standards; and
– Economic impacts, including increased electricity rates for local residents and reduced
property values along the shoreline.
Before the vote, Fredonia’s Mark Twitchell, who is a member of Citizens Against Wind Turbines In Lake Erie expressed his support for the resolution. “I’d like to think that President Trump’s Executive Order two days ago will curtail the wind industry and preserve Lake Erie for everyone’s benefit, but I believe that the lake needs our help now more than ever,” he said.
During the debate on the floor, Legislator Tom Harmon, R-Silver Creek, thanked the organization CAWTILE for their due diligence in bringing this topic up. “This would be an absolute disaster if these things happened,” he said.
Legislator Fred Larson, D-Jamestown, said that while he supports the resolution, we must figure out a good alternative to create energy. “Almost every scientist says that the emissions from the coal burning emissions plant like Dunkirk – 550 megawatts worth – is not exactly good for our human health so we’re going to get our electricity from somewhere. I hope those that are opposed to solar farms and those opposed to windmills … that they’re not going to be a NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) about small modular nuclear plants,” he said.
Legislator Fred Johnson, R-Westfield, agreed. “I want to volunteer to be a supporter of small nuclear power plants,” he said.
After the vote, state Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, who stopped by the meeting on his way back from Albany, thanked the county legislature for the vote. “Chautauqua County took the bold step to be the first county to actually speak out against this,” he said, adding that many smaller municipalities have also gone on record opposing wind turbines.
Borrello, who is a former county legislator and county executive, said he was proud to have his former colleagues support this resolution. “I’m truly proud to be an alumnus of this organization and very proud that we are going to stand up and say what’s best for the people of Chautauqua County, and the people, not just of New York state, but for everyone in every state in every county that surrounds the Great Lakes,” he said.
Legislator Tom Carle, R-Fredonia, asked if this resolution has any authority to stop the state or federal government from placing turbines in Lake Erie, but that question was not answered.
The resolution does call on the county’s Law Department to “take any necessary steps to protect the county’s interest in any attempt to site offshore wind turbines in Lake Erie, joining efforts with other municipalities bordering the Great Lakes.”
The number of homeless in Chautauqua County has more than doubled over the past two years – the fourth-largest …
Dunkirk and Fredonia schools fared well in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2025-26 budget proposal, with both districts …
Copyright © Observer Today | https://www.observertoday.com | PO Box 391, Dunkirk, NY 14048 | 716-366-3000
