CITIZEN POWER ALLIANCE

May 4, 2008 IMPORTANT

Last week the Town of Clayton Planning Board held their Horse Creek Wind Farm committee meeting (closed for public comment). Chair Bud Baril informed this committee of specific events that residents need to be aware of regarding the industrial Horse Creek Wind project.

A. PPM ENERGY TO SPONSOR MEETINGS FOR RESIDENTS: Mr. Baril announced that PPM Energy will host three “public meetings” in Depauville for residents to ask them questions about their concerns regarding the Horse Creek project. When are these to take place? Mr. Baril did not know. Will residents located in the Townships of Clayton and Orleans be notified of date and time of these meetings? Mr. Baril indicated that this would be handled the usual way and that is an announcement in the TI SUN, the Towns official paper.

The public is not allowed to ask any questions of the planning board referencing the Wind Farm. In fact, this Board per the Town Attorney states that they are not to even respond to any questions even in written format. Public comment is closed.

It is important that residents obtain copies of the TI SUN weekly so that you will know when these meetings are to be held. We must bring all our questions to these meetings. PPM Energy is responsible for answering the Public Comments regarding this industrial wind development in both Clayton and Orleans.

To date the public comments sent in on the DGEIS from one year ago, have not been answered by PPM Energy. ECCO believes that PPM Energy will not respond directly to the individuals who submitted comments on the DGEIS. We believe these meetings are their response for residents to get their answers on the public comments. In fact, this is better because those of you who did not know about the DGEIS a year ago now have the opportunity to ask questions. Now is the time for all residents to put together your questions and concerns regarding this project and attend these meetings. Those of you who have not viewed the DGEIS can do so, on line at http://www.ppmenergy.com/horsecreek/. Those of you who do not have a copy can obtain a copy from either Township (at a cost). To those of you who have never viewed concerns that our State and Federal Agencies have regarding this project such as DEC, USF&W, Public Service Commission, we can provide you with these copies. ECCO offers to any of you information that we have. If any of you have questions on areas of concerns and need information please email us at nypainter@hughes.net.

Some background PPM Energy hired consultants EDR (Environmental Design). EDR is the firm who is responsible for designing the wind farm on our lands. EDR is responsible for obtaining all the appropriate studies and testing for the project. EDR is responsible for the replies to the State Agencies questions they have regarding this development. EDR has worked with PPM Energy since Bill Moore the developer started working in New York State. EDR put together the DGEIS and it will be EDR who will provide the next phase, the SEIS: Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, which will be the “site specific” layout of the turbines.

B. BUS TOUR: Mr. Baril informed the Committee that PPM would sponsor another bus trip tour to Maple Ridge. Those of you who went on this tour last time will recall that there were NO turbines turning. So sound from these could not be heard by any who attended. Mr. Baril did not know when this tour would take place. Again, we can only assume it will be announced in the TI SUN.

C. HORSE CREEK NOISE ANALYSIS: The Horse Creek Wind Farm Noise Analysis performed for PPM Energy called the CH2MHILL Report is bad. Even CH2MHILL references the impact is high to residents. We know this. This Analysis as been viewed by 4 other acoustic experienced sound experts. Any way you look at it is bad – ECCO and residents in the Townships of Clayton and Orleans have written to the Town Councils to ask them to amend the Local Law No1 for Wind Facilities to a standard set by the New York State DEC. THEY REMAIN SILENT TO OUR REQUEST. The Planning Boards of both Towns are aware of this too. Experts have spoken to them. Last fall PPM Energy authorized Mr. Baril to hire another acoustic firm called Cavanaugh and Tocci to review the CH2MHILL report. Residents have been waiting for the results from this consult. We have been informed that this report is indeed here. The Town has not released the report because they state, “we want some further clarification from Cavanaugh and Tocci”. What do you all believe? If 5 sound experts (includes the CH2MHILL) undoubtedly state that there will be noise impacts to residents that is higher than the recommended standards by both State and Federal Agencies to protect residents then why aren’t the Town Councils of both Clayton and Orleans amending their local law to protect their residents? There is no doubt that the word “greed” comes to mind and there is no doubt that if left unchanged the 2,500 plus lives living in and around this project are considered “collateral damage”. This is not morally right.

It is up to the people to tell them to amend the Local Law No 1 for Wind Facilities. Write your letters and better yet go to both Town Meetings (Clayton and Orleans Local Law are the SAME) read your letter to them and ask that this letter be part of the Town Council minutes. Amend the Local Law NOW. They have facts and they know what we face. It is clear that the many letters written to them by residents are not being acknowledged at Council meetings. The five members of the Town Councils solely hold the responsibility to amend the Local Law/Ordinance. They remain SILENT on this issue. If the building permits are issued to PPM Energy before they change the Local Law there is no chance for help to any of the 2,500 plus residents living a mile in and around this industrial development. The entire development is only 5 x 6 miles and some residents have 15 to 32 turbines surrounding their homes within a mile and a half.

If you wish information on the Horse Creek Wind Farm sound analysis called CH2MHILL please email us at nypainter@hughes.net.

Thank you for taking the time to read this important message please pass on to all your neighbors, friends and family. If Clayton and Orleans are to have a wind farm then it MUST be a “Responsible” wind farm that protects first the health and welfare of all residents.