CITIZEN POWER ALLIANCE

The push by Pickens and others for alternative energy sources is admirable and, at the same time, frightening. Why? Because in the rush for these sources a lot of regular people are being hurt.

In upstate New York we are struggling to deal with a Wild West scenario. The State mandated alternative energy and the power companies have stampeded into the countryside. They make promises that aren't kept, suborn local officials and pay pennies on the dollar through what are known as PILOT funds (payment in lieu of taxes). Often local officials who vote on turbine laws stand to gain by having turbines on their own land and devil take their neighbors. It's out of control.

The State has provided no standards. Standards, such as they are, are left up to each town, village and county. Lost in the rush for cash are the poor souls who live with the issues of turbines in close proximity - noise, flicker, view, property value decline, etc.
Those citizens are trying to fight back but money talks and talks loudly.

Upstate New York is a rural-residential area. The 450 foot-tall turbines were never meant to be placed in areas such as that.

Congress dropped the ball with ethanol (resultant higher food costs). We now face another fiasco with ill-planned alternative energy.

A little planning and foresight would be in order by those in government. What a concept!

Paul Emens, Chairman
Citizens for Responsible Energy Development
4284 Fairview Rd
Castile, New York 14427
410-991-8381