Hopefully this commentary will be eye-opening regarding the disposal of wind turbine blades in New York state and a red flag warning regarding the many variables, unknowns and uncertainties regarding wind project decommissioning costs. It reveals how wind-hosting townships may be at grave risk of major underfunding.

After the 10-year Production Tax Credit federal subsidy expires and with the increasing, mandated costs of proper waste management (especially for blades), it is more likely for owners to abandon the project. It is concerning that decommissioning cost estimates in New York state, are only updated every five years — a lot could happen in that timeframe, especially recycling mandates that could raise costs significantly. I have yet to find a decommissioning plan that requires or includes costs for recycling of blades.

I reference a recent report for the Bluestone wind project in upstate NY– the same owners for the Ball Hill Wind Project in Chautauqua County. See Bluestone Wind Decommissioning Cost Estimate: posted 1/21/26, Case Number 16-F-0559 per DMM@dps.ny.gov. The following are important excerpts that are concerning, with language obviously added to avoid any future litigation for underestimation of unforeseen final costs.

— “The wind turbine blades will be removed from the nacelle using a crane, cut into manageably sized sections, loaded onto a trailer, and hauled to a local landfill for disposal.” Surprise. They actually admit dumping blades in landfills. No recycling.

— In preparation of this report, Burns & McDonnell has relied upon information provided by Bluestone Wind, LLC and other third-party sources. While Burns & McDonnell has no reason to believe that the information provided to Burns & McDonnell, and upon which

Burns & McDonnell has relied, is inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect, Burns & McDonnell has not independently verified such information and cannot guarantee or warranty its accuracy or completeness.

— Burns & McDonnell has no control over weather; cost and availability of labor, material, and equipment; labor productivity; energy or commodity pricing; demand or usage; population demographics; market conditions; changes in technology; and other economic or political factors affecting such estimates, analyses, and recommendations. Therefore, Burns & McDonnell makes no guarantee or warranty (actual, expressed, or implied) that actual results will not vary from the estimates, analyses, and recommendations contained herein.

— Burns & McDonnell’s estimates do not include allowances for unforeseen environmental liabilities associated with unexpected events not considered part of normal operations. Estimates also do not include allowances for environmental remediation associated with changes in classification of materials

Joni Riggle is a Sinclairville resident.