The legislation, if approved, would effectively shudder the Apex Clean Energy’s proposed Lighthouse Wind Project in the towns of Yates and Somerset which would construct approximately 70 wind turbines more than 600 feet high. The legislators cite concern that the wind turbines would negatively impact the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station located some 30 miles away, between the towns of Niagara and Wheatfield.
“The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station is too much of an asset to Niagara County and our entire region to put its future at jeopardy with this proposed project,” Ortt said. “We cannot risk hindering the air base’s operations, security and potential new missions. Our environment, public safety and quality of life are far more important than the negative impact wind turbines could pose.”
The bills mirror federal legislation introduced by Congressman Chris Collins, R-Clarence, which would prevent any wind projects located within a 50-mile radius of a military installation from receiving renewable energy tax credits.
“The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station contributes a great deal to our region’s economy and our national security,” Collins said. “Wind turbines built in close proximity to military installations can impact the future viability of our national security investments and potentially put thousands of Western New York jobs on the line. The legislation I introduced at the federal level, along with the legislation introduced by Senator Ortt at the state level, will ensure military bases like the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station can fully operate without interference from massive wind turbines. I am proud to work with partners at all levels of government to protect this regional asset.”
Norris thanked Collins and Ortt for spearheading the initiative, saying “I am proud to have this legislation be the first that I sponsor as a member of the Assembly.”
Norris added, “The Article 10 process gives only a few Albany Bureaucrats the sole authority to determine the placement of most new major electrical generating facilities. While the voice of our local community continues to be ignored, this legislation takes a positive step toward protecting our military assets and keeps the brave men and women that protect our boarders safe from domestic interference.”
“In certain situations, large wind turbines create concerns of military and national security and I will work with my colleagues in the Assembly to make sure that the Niagara Falls air base and the men and women that are stationed there have the highest level of security and protection,” he concluded.
The measure has the support of Save Ontario Shores, an organization opposed to the wind turbines in Somerset and Yates. It also has the support of Somerset Town Supervisor Dan Engert and Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon.
Engert said the proposed legislation would “remove the possibility of any unintended impacts caused by industrial wind turbines on any military mission of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station and it will put an end to this ill-conceived project and any other in Somerset. I applaud (Sen. Ortt), Congressman Collins and Assemblyman Norris for their legislative efforts to protect this vitally important military asset.”
The operations group commander for the 914th Airlift Wing, which operates out of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station has previously said that the wind turbines will have no effect on their operations. A call to NFARS for comment on the newly-introduced legislation was not immediately returned.
UPDATE: Air base rep. re-affirms wind farm wouldn’t affect current operations
