Unreasonable criticism of wind farm

A recent letter to the editor by Robert Aliasso, spokesperson for the opponents of the Galloo Island Wind Farm project, complains about the lack of speed on the part of the developer to provide details for a new transmission line route. The originally proposed route through Henderson and Ellisburg, a two-year effort to secure landowner permission, analyze engineering studies and coordinate with various environmental agencies was soundly criticized by Mr. Aliasso's group.

As a consequence, and in an effort to minimize any impact of the project on our neighbors, the town of Hounsfield has asked the developer to consider siting the transmission route through our community with an objective of connecting to the Coffeen Street National Grid substation. We believe any reasonable person would know this type of task cannot be expected to be done in a month. While his group repeatedly criticized the developer as moving too fast, he now turns that around to criticize the developer for moving too slowly.

An additional objection from this group as to the purchase of foreign-manufactured Vestas turbines is particularly curious as the members themselves drive cars manufactured in Japan, Germany and Sweden. Apparently they are more concerned with what other people do than being responsible for their own actions.

As far as the pending Article 78 legal proceeding instituted by the town of Henderson at the urging of Mr. Aliasso's group against the Hounsfield Planning Board, we are very disappointed. For one town to bring legal action against its neighbor, on an internal matter, is a very bad precedent.

Our offshore, island-based wind farm is set to bring millions of dollars in badly needed revenue and jobs in our region. Every taxpayer in Jefferson County stands to benefit from this project, not just Hounsfield. We would remind everyone to watch carefully in the next few months as the very same elected officials who opposed this project begin to debate on which taxes to raise to meet their budget shortfalls.

We know we are doing something positive for the Northern New York community by hosting this project despite the constant attacks from those who offer nothing but negative carping in return.

Timothy W. Scee

Brownville

The writer is town of Hounsfield supervisor.