East Hill WInd Farm News Archive >Back to News Archive Cherry Valley Residents Tour Fenner Wind Farm 6/24/05 The Freeman's Journal, Deborah Walkie Cherry Valley, NY - About 20 area residents loaded into a small bus parked in Cherry Valley last Saturday morning and embarked together on an hour-and-a-half drive to tour the Fenner Wind Power Facility in Madison County. The trip, organized and sponsored by Reunion Power, LLC - the company managing the proposed Cherry Valley wind turbine project - was a "perfect way for people to hear testimonials and actually see wind turbines for themselves," said the company's public outreach consultant, Marion Trieste. In an atmosphere similar to children on a school trip, the group joked with one another as the bus drove out of town. Though Trieste said that she had promoted this trip to as many people as possible, the majority of those on the bus were proponents of the project. Trieste said that phone calls and invitations extended to Lynn Marsh and Andrew Minnig - both active in the group Advocates for Cherry Valley, which is against the wind turbine project - were rejected. Minnig, said Trieste, told her that the "board decided it was not in the best interest of the group yet to meet with Reunion Power," adding that Minnig said he did not "see the benefit of joining the tour." Trieste, speaking from a microphone at the front of the bus, let the passengers know that all questions and comments were welcome and introduced Reunion Power Project Manager David Little. Little first recounted the need for alternative energy in the United States, citing pollution from coal, fossil fuels, and mercury, and touting wind power as the American farmer's "new cash crop." After summarizing Governor George Pataki's recently announced state-wide incentives to promote renewable energy technologies, Little reiterated the company's initial findings that Cherry Valley's East Hill is potentially "some of the best wind in the state." Little said that he could not yet announce specifics of the proposed development in Cherry Valley, acknowledging that the company was still in its initial research and development phase. "It's a collaborative effort," Little explained to the passengers. "Good developers work with business owners and the community. I don't want a bad site to go in, because it's bad for the industry." The trip took the group first past the Madison Wind Farm, which was pointed out by Little, and met with eager chatter among the group. All pressed to the bus windows and pointing to the emerging turbines on the landscape. Pointing to the "gorgeous view of the wind farm," Little scoffed a bit, "See what a dramatic impact they have on the landscape," and added, "I say that with slight sarcasm in my voice, because I ask you: Are they intrusive? Are they unsightly? That's a decision each person should make for themselves." "The public should not be educated from a few letter-writers in the paper," said Little. "They need to get out and see it for themselves, which all of you are doing today." Questions such as the possibility of "ice-throw" from the windmill blades, noise and lighting were addressed on the bus, but answered more directly upon arrival at Fenner, where Town Supervisor Russell Cary and resident Donna Griffin trumpeted the benefits of their wind farm. Though the Fenner wind turbines - which stand 229 feet to the hub, or the center of their blades, and reach blade heights of 350 feet - were not obtrusively loud, Cindy Campbell, who lives below the proposed East Hill site, pointed out that sound travels differently at that site. "I can hear my neighbor singing in her driveway," said Campbell, who also noted that friends in the area were wary of the wind turbine project. "If my neighbors are unhappy, I'll be unhappy." Cary - who, along with Griffin, has turbines on his own land - said that he regularly guides school groups and others on tours of the wind farm. The town hopes to install a visitor's and educational center at the site, and a resident has already offered a spot. Cary also noted that the town requested the least amount of lighting required by FAA regulators and that its "visual impact at night is negligible." Additionally, Cary and Griffin practically gushed about the economic and tax benefits to Fenner, all due to the presence of the wind farm. One rough spot, mentioned by Cary and Griffin, was the amount of traffic drawn to the construction of the wind farm. "People came from miles around to watch it go up and then stayed for the day," said Griffin. "I used to know every car that went by my house," added Cary, noting that another resident installed a concession stand and sells souvenir T-shirts, buttons and hats. "But now we've got all kinds of visitors." The group traveled through the site, disembarking to get close-up views of some of the wind turbines and a lone turbine blade, laying in the grass. Cary, pointing out the site's vista that included Oneida Lake and endless views of the surrounding counties, also included a clear view of the two towers at Scriba's Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station. "I don't know about you, but I'd much rather see a wind turbine than a nuclear power plant," said Cary. Trieste, who said she was thrilled at the number of people who spent half a day to learn more about wind power, plans to host another Fenner tour this fall. Trieste said she visits Cherry Valley at least three times a month, meeting with individuals, business owners and small groups to help continue the company's "wind power education" for the area. "[The trip] was encouraging for me," said Trieste. "Getting people to take time out of their busy day to learn more about issues affecting their lives is a success. It shows that there are some very caring and concerned citizens out there who want to see for themselves and educate people so they can make informed decisions." >Back to News Archive