As concerned citizens of our three communities, we express our vehement opposition to the installation of the proposed 25 industrial wind turbines, ranging from 300 to 600 feet in height, and subsequent transmission facilities and large overhead electrical power lines in Tully, LaFayette, and Otisco. While renewable energy is crucial for our planet, we believe that the negative impacts of industrial wind turbines and electrical power lines in close proximity to our homes and schools in an unstable geological and ecological area far outweigh the benefits. Here are some of the reasons for our opposition:

Well Water Contamination: 

The construction and operation of wind turbines can pose a risk to well water quality. The installation of turbines could disrupt underground aquifers, leading to the contamination of well water with sediment or chemicals. This puts the health and safety of residents who rely on well water for drinking and household use at risk. The land in proximity to turbines could be exposed to greater erosion and storm runoff, exacerbating flooding conditions, especially in areas prone to intense rainfall events. Additionally, the Dutch Hill turbines will directly affect the headwaters of Onondaga creek and the water quality entering Fellows Falls.  The land compaction from turbine installations will increase precipitation runoff and increase the risk of stream scour/damage, and poorer water quality (increase in sediment). This doesn’t include the risk of heavy/novel metal concentration and oil from the turbines.

Impact on Sensory-Sensitive Individuals:

Many individuals, including those with autism spectrum disorder or other persons who may be sensory processing disorders, are particularly vulnerable to the sensory disturbances caused by wind turbines. The constant noise and visual disturbance can trigger anxiety, sensory overload, and "meltdowns" in these individuals, making it incredibly challenging for them to cope and function in their own homes. The unavoidable flicker effect is a constant intrusion, documented in videos of homeowners. We have residents in close proximity to planned turbines who are on the autism spectrum.

Property Values:

Wind turbines have been shown to have a detrimental effect on property values. Funded by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Wind Energy Technologies Office, the largest-ever study of U.S. home sales around wind farms found short-term reductions in some home sale prices within one mile of wind turbines compared to sales of homes farther away. These drops were noted at the announcement of the project and persisted for 3-5 years after the commencement of the project. The Berkeley Lab team found that impacts on property values were virtually undetectable within 0.5 miles of the nearest wind turbine, due to the small number of sales taking place within the period of study.(Do large-scale wind projects impact the sales prices of nearby homes? New US study results say yes and no. | Energy Markets & Policy (lbl.gov) Meaning, they have no data how these turbines will affect the value of dozens of our homes in Otisco, Lafayette and Tully. Data from different real estate appraisers and agents in the United States and Canada reveal that homes located within half a mile often experience devastating depreciation of up to 25% or even result in a complete loss upon sale. Homeowners rely on the value of their properties, and this could have a negative impact on our communities.(Property Value the effect of Industrial Wind Turbines)

Health and Environmental Concerns:

Noise Pollution: Wind turbines produce constant noise, frequently worse in winter months and depending on wind velocity. This noise can range from a low hum to a loud, rhythmic whooshing sound, frequently compared to the sound of a swarm of bees. It extends significantly beyond the actual turbine locations, even up to five miles, and can be exacerbated by the geology and other natural features of the area. The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommend that during the night, bedrooms should have less than 30 dB(A) indoors to allow for good quality sleep.(Noise (who.int)Prolonged exposure can cause short and long-term health consequences including loss of sleep, headaches, elevated blood pressure, irritability, and digestive issues. Additionally, there is growing research on the negative impact of noise and vibrations on livestock. Even politically progressive areas have blocked this type of green energy, as evidenced by Vermont's setback requirement and sound limit regulations.(How we tallied local bans, limits on renewable energy nationwide (usatoday.com))

Light Pollution: Each turbine must be equipped with red blinking aviation lights, which will interfere with the Darling Hill Observatory, neighboring properties, and our communities as a whole. They will cast a red glow over the dark night sky, which can be seen for dozens of miles, impacting both residents and wildlife.

Threats to Wildlife: 

Birds, bats, and other wildlife are at risk and must be thoroughly studied and considered. Bats are attracted to turbine towers, perhaps because they see them as potential roosting sites, places to find (insect prey), scent-marking posts or spots to congregate. “Unlike birds, bats are actually investigating wind turbines and spending more time around them, which makes them at higher risk for mortality,” says Sara Weaver, a wildlife ecologist with Bowman Consulting, a Virginia-based engineering services firm that, among other things, advises energy companies on ways to reduce their environmental impacts. This attraction means that even when turbines are intentionally erected in places with little to no bat activity, the animals still often end up flying there and getting killed. (How wind turbines and bats and birds can coexist peacefully | Knowable Magazine). Biologist Erin Baerwald and her colleagues spent 9 weeks collecting freshly killed bats from Wind Turbine sites. After autopsies of these bats, it was found that over 90% had lung hemorrhages. They concluded that air pressure drops around turbine blades are fatal to small animals, such as bats.(Wind turbines make bat lungs explode) This area is home to the endangered species Northern Long-eared Bats. Northern Long-eared Bats were placed on the extinction list as of March 2023.(Long-eared Bats on extinction list) "The cumulative impacts on bat populations from wind farm development may lead to a serious risk of extinction." - Dr. Thomas Kunz, who was one of the world’s leading authorities in bat biology. 

Health Concerns Regarding Transmission Lines:

Concerns about the proximity of homes and schools to large electric transmission lines are of utmost importance, especially considering recent legislative developments. The RAPID Act that recently passed in New York State grants the authority of eminent domain for the construction of these transmission lines. These transmission lines will be the large steel powerline holders, not the small wooden electric poles one commonly sees. The scientific evidence suggesting that ELF (Extreme Low Frequency) exposure poses a health risk, including the potential link to cancer, cannot be disregarded. In 1999, the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) described the scientific evidence suggesting that ELF exposure poses a health risk as “weak,” but noted that it cannot be recognized as entirely safe, and considered it to be a “possible” human carcinogen. (Power Lines, Electrical Devices, and Extremely Low Frequency Radiation | American Cancer Society) Between 2011 and 2015, the European research group ARIMMORA (Advanced Research on Interaction Mechanisms of electroMagnetic exposures with Organisms for Risk Assessment) did several studies to look for possible links between ELF-MF and cancer, especially childhood leukemia. The project concluded that their studies were consistent with the previously established International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classification of ELF-MF (extremely-low-frequency magnetic fields) as “possibly carcinogenic.” (Electromagnetic exposure and childhood leukemia | ARIMMORA Project | Results in brief | FP7 | CORDIS | European Commission (europa.eu)) In the Journal New York In Focus, 10/26/2023 by Julia Rock, Governor Hochul vetoed a plan to run a stretch of buried transmission lines under a city publicly owned beach in Long Island because, “The transmission cable would produce carcinogenic electromagnetic fields. (As Hochul Vetoes Wind Power Bill, Long Island… | New York Focus (nysfocus.com)). The safety and well-being of our residents must be prioritized, and the potential health risks associated with close proximity to these transmission lines must be thoroughly evaluated and addressed. Moreover, the potential route for the transmission lines raises additional concerns, as they may traverse over lakes and encroach upon the Tully village, in proximity to Tully Schools and sports fields. Crossing over lakes not only disrupts the natural beauty and ecological balance of these bodies of water but also poses risks of contamination and environmental degradation in case of accidents or leaks. Furthermore, the visual intrusion of large towering power lines above the Tully village and sports fields would detract from the scenic charm and recreational value of these areas, impacting residents' quality of life and recreational activities. The presence of such infrastructure could also deter visitors and tourists, further affecting local businesses and community engagement.

Destabilization a Potential Landslide Area.: 

Each Industrial Wind Turbine weighs on an average 2,000 tons. The proposed Case Hill wind turbines are situated directly upslope from the site of the 1993 mudslide, raising serious concerns about the stability of the surrounding terrain. Additionally, the southern slope of Bare Mountain along Rattlesnake Gulf has witnessed numerous landslides over the years. The installation of wind turbines in such geologically unstable areas poses a significant risk of exacerbating these natural hazards, potentially endangering nearby communities and infrastructure. “The Tully Valley landslide was not a unique geologic event in this area; immediately north of this landslide a similar scarp indicates another landslide of the same type and roughly the same size that is probably at least 200 years old…However, under certain conditions, such as undercutting by streams or construction, or by extreme climatic events, these ancient dormant landslides could be partially or fully reactivated.” Adapted from Landslide Susceptibility in the Tully Valley Area, Finger Lakes Region, New York USGS Open-File-Report 94-615 (On-line version)Stefan Jäger & Gerald F. Wieczorek. Tully Valley landslide study (usgs.gov). The Dutch Hill Turbines would be less than three miles from Fellows Falls, and the surrounding area that is included in the 1,000 acres returned to the Onondaga Nation damaged by Honeywell and  which  must be protected from any further damage at all costs. The Onondaga Nation, in Unprecedented Land Back Moment, Regains 1,023 Acres of the Land From New York State – Onondaga Nation

In light of these concerns and others, we urge decision-makers to deny the placement of the Palmer Maple Harvest Wind Turbine Project in our communities. Tully, Otisco, and LaFayette deserve sustainable energy solutions that do not sacrifice our well-being, property values, the needs of our most vulnerable residents, our environment, and precious ecosystems.