North Tonawanda New York resolution opposing offshore wind in Lake Erie

To Whom It May Concern:

Please be advised that at a Regular Session of the North Tonawanda Common Council held on the 4th day of June, 2024 the following resolution was passed:

MOVED by Alderman Marranca

SECONDED by Alderman Loncar

That the Common Council at a regular session meeting, held at City Hall, 216 Payne Avenue, North Tonawanda, New York at 6:30 PM on June 4th, 2024, approved a Resolution to Oppose Offshore Wind Facilities in Lake Erie and it reads as follows:

RESOLUTION SUBMITTED BY THE CITY OF NORTH TONAWANDA OPPOSING OFFSHORE WIND FACILITES IN LAKE ERIE

WHEREAS, NY State has passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (the Climate Act) calling for 70 percent of electricity in the state to be produced by renewable resources by 2030, and 100 percent of the state’s electricity be generated by renewable resources by 2040; and

WHEREAS, Congressman Nicholas A. Langworthy has voiced deep concern on the addition of Wind Turbines and introduced legislation to curb this negative development. H.R. 426, the Lakes Before Turbines Act would protect our environment and local economies from illconceived wind energy projects on these waters.

WHEREAS, wind energy has been designated by the Climate Act as an essential form of renewable energy; and

WHEREAS, there are a number of commercial wind energy facilities operating in Western New York, with more in the planning and permitting stages; and

WHEREAS, NY State’s power grid manager New York Independent Systems Operator (NYISO) has determined the Western New York zone of grid to be 89 percent free of carbon emissions in the generation of electricity; (1), and

WHEREAS, NYISO has described the lack of electricity transmission facilities capable of transmitting electricity from Western New York to downstate grid zones which are 90 percent dependent on fossil fuels for generating electricity; (2), and

WHEREAS, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority determined in 2022 that this is not the right time to consider constructing offshore wind facilities in Lake Erie; (3), and

WHEREAS, the offshore wind industry is experiencing global difficulties related to inflation and supply line shortages as evidenced by the recent NY State Public Service Commission decision denying industry requests for higher power delivery rates: (4), and

WHEREAS, the long planned Lake Erie offshore wind energy project known as Icebreaker Wind near Cleveland, Ohio, has recently been suspended (4a),

WHEREAS, questions concerning offshore wind energy facilities in fresh water bodies remain unanswered such as these which are not included in the NYSERDA reports of 2011 and 2022:

• What assurances that toxic industrial wastes in the lakebed will not be disturbed to endanger safe drinking water and enter the food chain of Lake Erie’s fish and bird species (5)

• How would the placement of offshore wind turbines in Lake Erie affect the migratory pathways and behavior of economically important game fish (6) 

• What would be the impact on tourism of placing wind turbines in Lake Erie (7)

• Specifically, how would offshore wind turbines in Lake Erie contribute to the emissions reduction goals of the Climate Act (8)

• How would the radar interference created by offshore wind turbines in Lake Erie affect the safety of shipping, recreational boating, search and rescue operations and international border security (9)

• How would microplastics and toxic chemicals like BPA and PFAS emitted by wind turbines impact water quality and the ecology of Lake Erie (10)

• How much oil and other petroleum products are contained within each offshore wind turbine and how would oil spills from wind turbines be mediated, and other maintenance performed during annual periods of ice coverage on Lake Erie (11)

• How would noise and vibrations emitted by wind turbines impact the quiet enjoyment of Lake Erie by fishers, boaters and nearshore residents and visitors (12)

• What are the effects of vibrations emitted by wind turbines on the organisms living in the lakebed. (13)

• How would the blinking red lights atop each offshore wind turbines be reconciled with increased interest in preventing light pollution in dark skies (14)

• What would be the impact of placing offshore wind turbines in Lake Erie’s migratory flyways of birds, bats and butterflies (15)

• What are the cumulative impacts of placing offshore wind turbines in Lake Erie given the already large concentration of onshore wind turbines along the Ontario shoreline and the elevations overlooking the lake in Chautauqua County

• What restrictions or no-go zones would be imposed on fishers and boaters in Lake Erie (16)

• How would the Public Trust Doctrine which serves to protect the interests of all Western New Yorkers in a healthy Lake Erie be honored in the context of primary financial benefits to the offshore wind industry.

• How would offshore wind turbines impact historic sites such as shipwrecks and lighthouses (17)

• Would the rights of the Seneca Nation of Indians to administer water quality standards on the Cattaraugus Reservation be a consideration in placing offshore wind turbines in Lake Erie (18)

• Would the high costs of offshore wind energy in Lake Erie be explained to Town of Hamburg electricity ratepayers in terms of monthly increases to their utility bills. 

• How would property values along the lake shore be impacted by viewsheds including offshore wind turbines and their industrial support and maintenance activities. 

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
The City of North Tonawanda opposes, at this time, any efforts to introduce offshore wind turbines in the waters of Lake Erie.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of North Tonawanda supports Congressman Nick Langworthy’s Lakes Before Turbines Act (H.R. 426) and urges its immediate consideration in Congress.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk-Treasurer shall forward an email copy of this Town Board resolution to:
Honorable Governor Kathy Hochul: melissa.bochenski@exec.ny.gov
Honorable United States Congressman Nicholas Langworthy:
repnicholaslangworthy@mail8.housecommunications.gov
Honorable Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: scousins@nysenate.gov
Honorable Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt: ortt@nysenate.gov
Honorable Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz: county.executive@erie.gov
Assemblyman William Conrad: conradw@nyassebly.gov

Ayes: Alderman Schmigel, Marranca, Loncar, Lavey, DiBernardo (5)
Nays: None (0)

CARRIED.
_____________________________________
Donna L. Braun
City Clerk-Treasurer