Monday, September 17, 2018

Assemblywoman Jenne: Lewis County lawsuit demonstrates need to protect Fort Drum over other interests


Assemblywoman Addie A. E. Jenne, (D-Theresa), says the recent lawsuit filed by foreign industrial wind companies demonstrates the need for New York state to take action to protect the long-term viability of Fort Drum and the safety of the troops stationed there.

"This lawsuit is proof these companies only have their own interests at heart, and the state must take action to protect our own interest, Fort Drum," she said.

Flat Rock Windpower Co., operators of Maple Ridge Wind Farm, has filed a lawsuit against Lewis County and the towns and school districts hosting the company's 200 wind turbines and transmission lines challenging its real property tax assessment.

The lawsuit comes with just three years remaining on Flat Rock's 15-year payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement with the county.

Flat Rock's parent company is Avangrid, a multinational electric utility based in Spain.

The company's property is currently assessed at $565 million. The lawsuit calls for the assessment to be lowered to just under $20 million.

"The recent attempts to squeeze even more money out of our cash-strapped local governments shows there is only one thing that these foreign companies care about, their profits," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"These are giant companies and if we don';t stand strong against them, they will work to hurt our region one step at a time," she added, noting the company is seeking approval for additional wind projects in the region.

"I am fighting against tax subsidies for those with the most, like this multi-national foreign company, that come at the expense of our North Country families," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"They are suing our small counties, towns and school districts to get out of the promises they made to local officials just over a decade ago," she added.

Lewis County officials opposed her efforts to protect Fort Drum because of the projected revenues from their PILOT agreement, she noted.

"Now the wind companies are trying to get out of their existing promises and will force these small governments to spend the little money they get, money they cannot spare, to fight their efforts or buckle to their demands," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"It is my belief that if we had the county on board with my legislation this winter, this measure would have moved through the state Assembly this past year," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"This lawsuit makes it clear that we need to protect our region's major economic driver, our country's national defense training grounds and the weather radar that is so important to all of us during North Country winters over the interests of a foreign company looking to make a profit at our expense," she charged.

Assemblywoman Jenne pledged to continue her fight for Fort Drum and a level playing field for other North Country interests tied to wind energy developments.

"I have been proud to lead the fight in our region against large-scale energy producers that think they can walk all over us," she said.

"I am not anti-wind. I am pro-North Country, and I am fighting for re-election as the only candidate tough enough to stand up to these wealthy interests and those that have tried to hurt us in the past," she added.

"My record in state government is very clear. I lead the fight against millionaires and billionaires
that want to get rich off your tax dollars," Assemblywoman Jenne stressed.

Assemblywoman Jenne introduced legislation (A-9053-A) to prohibit the state from granting subsidies to wind energy projects that could impact the military’s training needs at Fort Drum.

Approximately 10 new wind farms have been proposed or are under construction in the area surrounding Fort Drum.

The legislation would allow the state to continue to move toward its green energy goals while protecting the low-level flight training air space around Fort Drum, creating the opportunity for future activity and growth at the installation.

The moving blades of wind turbines already operating in Lewis County within proximity of Fort Drum have created interference with air traffic control and Doppler weather radar, according to
the assemblywoman.

Assemblywoman Jenne has noted that the construction of any additional wind projects in close proximity to Fort Drum would significantly degrade radar data that is used to assist pilots training in the area.

The bill would eliminate any state incentives for the development of wind turbines sited where they could interfere with Fort Drum's radar systems, but maintain the incentives for the development of wind-generated energy outside that area.