Cayuga County wind project receives 220 public comments — mostly negative

New York state has received more than 200 public comments on the application for what would be the first major wind energy project in Cayuga County.

Most of the 220 comments are against the Agricola Wind Project, saying it would decrease property values in the towns of Scipio and Venice, compromise the natural beauty of the area and more.

The Citizen reviewed the comments after their submission deadline of Aug. 8. They were collected as part of the state Office of Renewable Energy Siting's review of developer Liberty Renewables' application for a permit for Agricola Wind. The review also included a public comment hearing Aug. 6 in Auburn, where about 60 people voiced similar opposition to an audience of more than 200.

The project would consist of two dozen 650-foot turbines across 50 acres of land, generating 99 megawatts of energy. The office should decide whether to grant the permit by November. 

The sight of those turbines was on the minds of commenters Larry and Patricia Kabat.

“Would you buy a house next to a 650-foot windmill?” they said. "Tourism will suffer, vacationers will go elsewhere."

Others, like Caroline Greeven, of Auburn, and Michael Jones, said in their comments that there is a "desperate need" for clean energy. 

"I own several acres of land myself and would be happy to put solar/wind projects on them, but no one's interested," Jones said.

Along with raising concerns about the turbines themselves, commenters took issue with the permit application process.

Connie Walter, of Scipio, described it as a "cart before the horse scenario" and said New York's grid is insufficient to handle "the transmission of large, inconsistent energy flow."

Jean Marie Cannizzo said the state's RAPID Act of 2024, which streamlines the process for renewable energy projects, is "a vehicle to silence the voices of communities here in the beautiful Finger Lakes."

Other residents said the benefits of the project, such as the jobs it will create and the yearly discretionary fund of $100,000 for Venice and Scipio to split, isn't worth the integrity of the land.

"Our farmland is not just a resource; it’s a way of life, a cultural identity, and a source of pride that we pass on through generations," Emily Antonacci said. "That way of life is under threat."

While some commenters got their points across in a sentence or two, others broke down their reasoning into parts and even attached studies and other citations. 

"Can you guarantee me that our waters won't be tainted by these windmills?" Jennifer Lane said.

"Can you guarantee me my horses won't freak out from the noise of these and the humming sound and the vibration? Can you guarantee me our roads will be fixed when you're done wrecking them?"

About 60 people spoke in front of a standing-room-only audience of more than 200 during the three-hour hearing.

Scipio resident Adam Rossbach voiced similar worries.

"Now, there is a chance these windmills will not affect my well water. There is a chance that the windmills will not permanently change the wildlife habitats that they will occupy. There is a chance that the flicker, which they definitely produce, will not be a health hazard to me and my family," he said. "But that also means that there is a chance that all those things could happen."

The land in Scipio, with its views and serenity, is among the reasons Aaron Picklesimer settled there with his family after serving in the Navy.

He said he's "fine with renewable energy," and believes there is a place for it — just not in rural Cayuga County.

"We moved here because we thought it was our best choice of location to achieve our dream and live the best life we could," Picklesimer said. "But here the dream is about to be ruined ... That is not OK."