County legislators are questioning the logic of the state energy policy that has been careening toward higher utility rates, higher taxes and the use of vast areas of agricultural land, wetlands and woodlands that are cleared for projects that make very little power.

“Why does the state continue to push these things when there is so much scientific documentation that says there are harmful long term effects? There are so many related health concerns and public safety issues regarding new 600 foot wind turbines and battery energy storage installations. Don’t they negate each other?” asked Legislator John Penhollow during a legislature committee recently.

“Special interests,” Sen. George Borrello answered. “Instead of investing in cleaner, reliable energy using natural gas, hydropower and nuclear, the governor chose to shutter power plants…an emissions shell game…actually increasing emissions outside our state … a reckless, costly agenda designed to appease special interests at the expense of taxpayers and ratepayers…. Our energy situation is so bad that the energy experts at the NY Independent System Operator (NYISO), are sounding the alarm that New York may face energy shortages, brown outs…”

“As a person who has lived near one of these windmills,” said County Legislator Daniel Pavlock, “I used to be under the assumption of being one who said, ‘who am I to say what a neighbor can do with their land?’ Well, it directly affects you. It flickers. They are noisy. And it really isn’t the prettiest thing. It was not peaceful to live there. And I moved.”

“The town of Hanover has voiced opposition to a proposed battery energy storage development,” Legislator Tom Harmon said, “It is too close to the school which is our evacuation site…Does anyone know the size of these things? Each is the size of a tractor trailer and they want to put 250 of these things in our area. And the fire hazard for our volunteer fire departments. We don’t have the training or equipment locally anywhere.”

The state’s own health, environmental, agricultural, and engineering experts have testified to the harms caused. These include:

— Industrial Wind — Regarding the negative human health effects of industrial wind, Research Scientist of the New York State Department of Health, Henry Spliethoff, testified, ” If a wind facility is not properly sited or operated, there is potential for the turbine noise to impact the health and wellbeing of nearby residents…. Recognized health-related effects of audible noise include annoyance, sleep disturbance, cognitive performance reduction, effects on social behavior, cardiovascular effects, and psychophysiological effects …” Spliethoff testified before the New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment.

Six county health boards in Western New York have recommended, “to protect the health of our residents and our environment…this Board urges local municipalities to pass a proper wind law that restricts IWTs [industrial wind turbines] to a minimum of 1.5 miles from any property line and 35 or fewer decibels in sound frequency.” This recommendation has been ignored by developers who have been able to dictate the installation parameters to maximize their profits disregarding the impacts on human health.

— Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) — Data was provided to the county health board by Chautauqua County aerospace engineer, Don Rice, who speaks from experience regarding BESS hazards. “Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), which rely on lithium-ion technology, pose serious public safety risks that are being inadequately addressed as these facilities proliferate across New York State.

“A grid‐scale BESS fire cannot be contained. Containment increases the risk of explosion. As more containers enter thermal runaway, large quantities of hazardous gases are released, including: hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, ethylene, hydrogen fluoride (which forms hydrofluoric acid), hydrochloric acid, hydrogen cyanide, volatile organic compounds and particulates.

“Once contamination enters the water table, it can migrate for years. Cleanup is extremely difficult, and in many cases impossible. … Cooling is mandatory. Containment of runoff is mandatory. Evacuation planning is mandatory.”

Developers propose 600-foot wind turbines in Stockton, Ellery, North Harmony, Sherman, Westfield, and Ripley. Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) installations are being proposed for many locations around the county in close proximity to schools, hospitals, and homes and could be catastrophic to our communities.

State Department of Agriculture and Markets: “Grid scale solar is a threat to agricultural productivity, as prime farmland is often purchased or leased for solar panels, permanently removing it from food production.”

New York towns that recognize the danger of thermal runaway BESS fires have passed laws prohibiting the installation of Battery Energy Storage Systems in their towns including Amsterdam in Montgomery County; Duanesburg and Princetown in Schenectady County; Rush, in Monroe County; Glen in Montgomery County; Somerset and Royalton in Niagara County; Sheridan in Chautauqua County.

The state’s energy policies endanger the environment, the economy, public health and safety. There is no justification for unreliable, intermittent energy here when natural gas, hydro and nuclear provide viable options.

The negatives outweigh the claimed benefits.

Karen Engstrom is a town of Chautauqua resident.