Beverly Grant As a 63 year resident of Cape Vincent, my comments are to express my concerns for the people of Cape Vincent

the year round residents/landowners and the economy of our small town. Cape Vincent has several seasonal residents who are here for a short time each year during the warmer season. During the winter months you find it hard to find a business open in Cape Vincent to serve the year round residents. If there is a business open, it is only open a few days per week, most likely over the weekend. Cape Vincent is located on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The community has long been promoted as a tourist area but in recent years we have seen declines in tourism because of the sluggish economy and most recently high gasoline prices. All of the residents of Cape Vincent deserve to be able to have a comfortable life style and be able to support their families and meet their financial obligations. The economy of Cape Vincent needs this wind turbine project to provide employment and establish new businesses and maintain the businesses that we do have on a year round basis. We need new families to move to Cape Vincent that have children that will maintain and support our school district. The year round residents and landowners deserve to have a thriving community to bring in new businesses, support our churches, schools, library and fire department. We need new families to move to this area to support those establishments and volunteer in our fire department and ambulance squad. Those two entities demand year round involvement and require several hours/days of training and dedication to the people of Cape Vincent. Cape Vincent needs this wind turbine project to provide funding to the landowners/contract holders and they in turn will spend that money in the community of Cape Vincent to pay their property taxes, school taxes, their utility, fuel, veterinary and other miscellaneous bills and support businesses, the fire department, school, churches, public library, etc. Money from the wind company will also be provided to support these groups and other community projects and property taxes for all taxpayers will decrease. The wind turbine project would utilize a free natural resource of this area and it is clean energy. I believe we should use this resource for the benefit of all in the community. Thank you for this opportunity to comment. Beverly Grant

Harvey White In the matter of the rules & regulations of the board on electric generation siting and the environment, contained in 16NYCRR, chapter X certification of major electric facilities: I think it is about time for the state to take over the siting of wind projects in the present and near future because it has become such a controversial issue. Especially in the town of Cape Vincent and most of the North Country. People are not using common sense anymore. They feel"It's okay if you have windpower or atomic energy as long as it's not in my backyard." That is the NIMBY's battle cry. They are absolutely rude and obnoxious about it. They don't care what they say or do, as long as they get their way. They site unproven facts and any kind of dribble they can find on the internet to make windpower look bad. But anybody with any common sense knows we have to do something and do it now, not 10 years from now. Thank you, Harvey White

Dawn Munk In the Matter of the Rules and Regulations of the Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment, contained in 16 NYCRR, Chapter X, Certification of Major Electric Generating Facilities. My husband and I are lifelong residents of the Town of Lyme, NY. We support wind energy as a clean, renewable resource. As members of Voters for Wind we have visited several operating wind farms in New York state and on Wolfe Island and have contacted many town officials in those areas to receive accurate information about all aspects of living in a community with turbines. Our findings have shown that: -The construction of wind facilities provides hundreds of construction jobs and hundreds of thousand of dollars in related materials and services throughout the entire area. During construction phase, local restaurants, hotels, motels, gas stations, grocery stores, etc... see a large increase in business. This is a very big deal. - Post construction, most communities see 10-20 permanent, good paying jobs. In a small town like ours, 10 -20 permanent jobs is a very big deal. -Wind facilities have a significant positive economic impact on town budgets, in some cases eliminating town taxes. This is a very big deal. -Local schools see a significant positive economic and social impact. Schools can maintain and even increase classes, and maintain and even increase teaching staff and related services. In a time when most schools are laying off teachers and cutting classes and services to the bone, this is a very big deal. -School taxes are decreased. In an area where many residents struggle to pay their taxes, this is a very big deal. A 2010 survey of Jefferson County residents by the Jefferson Community College Center for Community Studies showed that 83.6% of respondents support wind development in the county. We urge the Siting and Regulating Board to cut through the emotion surrounding wind development and use good science and facts to determine appropriate and reasonable rules and regulations. Your efforts can make a huge impact on solving not only the energy crisis, but also unemployment, taxes, education, business, and health and the environment! That is a VERY BIG DEAL! Dawn munk

Margaret Jollif In the matter of the Rules and Regulations of the board on Electric Generation Siting and the environment, contained in 16 NYCRR,Chapter X, Certification of Major Electric Generating Facilities. I live along the shore of Lake Ontario in the town of Cape Vincent where the wind blows most of the time and Cape Vincent has struggled with potential wind development for 8 years. A very vocal and rich group of anti-wind people have taken over our town by unethical means and are only interested in their own personal agenda which is-no wind project in Cape Vincent by putting in very restrictive rules on siting towers3miles from any homes/lake/river and trying to change zoning areas such as agricultureland into recreational and residential. When the seasonal people leave in the Fall it is very difficult for a local business owner to stay open for the Winter and we need this shot in the arm that a wind project would bring to our community. They would employ local people as well as bring tax relief that would benefit everyone and keep our local elementary school open. Because of cuts from the State our school has been threatened to be closed for the last 3 years. We need your support of Article 10! I understand that the pro wind people that have written comments to your board are now being criticized by our local anti-wind blogJefferson Leaning Left! We need article 10 and we need clean green energy. Don't let our wind go to waste! Margaret Jollif

Gary King April 29,2012 As a 30 year resident of Cape Vincent I strongly support the use of Wind Power and other renewable energy. We desperately need something in this area to enhance our economy. Wind farms have been trying to locate here for about 8 years and it has been stymied by a small group of elitist, self appointed experts using every devious method to spread misinformation to anyone that will listen. This Saint Lawrence River area needs clean jobs without risks. Construction of a wind farm would bring in 250 to 300 temporary jobs and 12 to 20 permanent positions. With this wind farm in place it would ensure that our schools are funded and our local families would keep their family farms and homes. Please allow us this opportunity to utilize about the only resource this area has. The wind farm project is clean, free of pollutions and environmental friendly. Thank you, Gary King Cape Vincent, NY

Guy and Julia Gosier In the matter of the rules and regulations of the board on electric generation siting and the environment, contained in 16 NYCRR, Chapter X, Certification of major electric generating facilities. Dear representatives: In the towns of Lyme and Cape Vincent in Jefferson County, a few prosperous, mostly seasonal, anti-wind people are doing everything possible to stop wind development. Area farmers and the rest of us who struggle to pay our taxes have watched helplessly as these people took over our local governments. They are crafting wind laws designed to outlaw all industrial and personal wind generation in our towns. We need your help to stop them. We who care very much about our environment and our local economy, are praying that you will save us from this insanity. We have done alot of research and see no serious adverse effects. We are only a few minutes from Wolfe Island, Ontario and have seen first-handthe good that a wind project can bring to a community. Thank-you in advance for helping us. Guy and Julia Gosier 28589 Empie Road Three Mile Bay, N. Y. 13693

Marty Mason In the matter of the rules and regulations of the Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment, contained in 16NYCRR,Chapter X Certification of Major Electric Generating Facilities. I would like to thank the board for their hard work in setting up these rules. I think that this area needs all the benefits that come along with the wind farm. Such as the hugh boost to the economy while they are in the building stages. The high paying jobs that will come after they are built. All of the moneys that will come from the contracts that the land owners hold. Most of these moneys will stay local and help the local economy. The Schools will be able to restore many of the programs and jobs that they have had to cut in the past years with the extra moneys. The county could use the money to help stabilize their tax rate and continue to improve our roads and bridges. The Town government could use the extra money to help found additional water districts that brings in additional growth to the area, the local development corporation to help start up new business and the list could go on and on. Wind is a win win for this area. Thank you for your time and consideration, Marty Mason

Rick Lawrence In the Matter of the Rules and Regulations of the Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment, containing in 16 NYCRR, Chapter X, Certification of Major Electric Generating Facilities. Exibit 19 Their has been no public outcry about the noise from the windfarms currently operating. This in itself should weight heavily against those who say it will ruin their lives and their health. While there are certain conditions that cause the sound to be anoying, they are very short lived. We have speed boats and jet skis on the river that make much more anoying noise. Exhibit 27 The majority of the people who are against wind generation have a very comfortable standard of living. They selfishly do not care about those of us who struggle to pay our county and school taxes. On this mornings local news, wind turbanes were praised for keeping the Lowville School District financialy healthy. The rest of us are struggling to keep our teaching staff and programs in place. Wind farms are a win win situation for green energy and massive tax relief for our towns and schools. As far as property values, simply check to see what the property values have done in the towns who currently have wind farms. Thank You Rick Lawrence

Sandy Payne I am a lifetime perminent resident of Cape Vincent, NY. I am involved in the Voters for Wind Committee in our town. I will not be profitting from the windmills when they come to our town. The town is in a lot of turmoil; but our schools need the windmills; as we are about to lose our Elemtary School because of financial reasons and our High School is operating on a very small budget. Our schools are in trouble and could use the Pilot money that they could receive. Everyone could use the help. I have a lot of family and friends who are also in favor of windmills, and there are several others too. Thank you for listening, Sandy Payne

Margaret Pond I am a resident of Cape Vincent, NY.,have lived here and operated a business for over 50 years, now two of my sons carry on the business. I would like to recover some of the taxes paid to the town and county during those years by having turbines on my property which consists of 215 acres. Our small town is governed by a majority of people who have moved here and have more money than most locals. They did alot of underhanded scheeming to get rid of our planning and town board members in last falls election. They replaced local people with their people who know nothing about running the town, the only facts they know is they don't want turbines and will go to extremes to prevent them from coming. Our local elemetary school is being threatened for closure, just one more thing Cape Vincent won't have to lure young families. Our High school budgets have been cut also too, at a sad rate. The turbines could solve alot of these problems. We need this income in our town to lower or eliminate taxes, help our schools and help bring more money, new business and more tourism. As of now, our "new town board" has proposed a bunch of new regulations so strict, they could do away with turbines. I wish to say we need " Article X" to intervene, to put a stop to their controlling actions. Margaret Pond

Don Mason It would help our dieing Town and school district to keep going Don Mason

Janet Radley Our recently elected Town Officials have never wanted Wind in our Town,they have done everything against it. They have formed a committee to draw up new regulations to strigent for wind to come in. They came to this town to retire and most live here only about 3 months of the year.They don't care about saving the school or the people who live here year round struggling to survive and pay taxes to keep their one homes. We really need the income to keep most importantly our school open.I have seven grandchildren that will attend this school,one starting next year and the rest soon to follow. Thank you Janet Radley

Robert A. Gauthier To Whom It May Concern, In the matter of the Rules and Regulations of the Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment, contained in 16 NYCRR, ChapterX, Certification of Major Electric Generating Facilities. I feel that I must comment on the importance of Green Energy to be utilized in this day and age; in particular, Wind Energy. I reside in the town of Cape Vincent, NY. This location is on the north eastern shores of Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence River, where we have a constant wind provided by nature. I own over three hundred acres that is slated for the BP Wind Project. I operated a dairy farm on this property until several years ago. I know the responsibility of caring for land, and leaving it better than you found it; basically being in one with nature. This is the reason I totally support Wind Energy coming to our ar ea in Jefferson County. Therefore, I would like it to be known where I stand on the following issues. EXHIBIT 19: SOUND CAUSED BY WIND TURBINES I have visited Wind Farms and have noticed only a slight sound of wind blowing the blades, similar to movement of tree branches, or the gentle sound water on the shore line. Sounds of nature. EXHIBIT 27: SOCIOECONOMIC EFFECTS Living in a rural area we face many financial challenges. I feel Green Energy can help to bring us back to being a self-sufficient generation. Money generated from these projects will surely put money back into NY State. Generate revenue for schools and teachers to better our future. Improve town and county spending capabilities for roads and equipment improvements to better our future. Create jobs to better our future. EXHIBIT 28: ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Clean energy providing a service to all of New York State with no side effects from pollution. No threat from possible terrorists targeting an energy source. EXHIBIT 31: LOCAL LAWS AND ORDINANCES This area has been largely know as a rural farming community since being founded hundreds of years ago. This is a prime location for a Wind project, because of the availability of land, wind and being in a lightly populated area. We have a view of the Wind Farm on the Wolf Island, Canada project. This causes no negative landscape impact. Dr. Mark Thayer of the University of California, at San Diego, conducted a study for the Department of Energy. His research revealed that after a study of 7,500 home sales in Wind Farm areas: there was no loss of property value in any of the Wind Farm project areas. Given these facts by Dr. Thayer, I have no choice but to conclude that there

is indeed, no proberty value loss in any Wind Farm project areas. There are no known facts that show any detrimental effects on a Wind Farm project in the Cape Vincent area. I totally support this project, and I ask that you support this project. Sincerely, Robert A. Gauthier Voter For Wind Member

Karen L. Stumpf In the Matter of the Rules and Regulations of the Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment, contained in 16 NYCRR, Chapter X, Certification of Major Electric Generating Facilities, I would like to comment on Exhibit 27, Socioeconomic Effects. I recommend the Siting Board use examples from operating wind farms in New York State to illustrate the economic benefits to the host communities. My interviews and written communications with township supervisors and assessors have confirmed the benefits of wind farms in New York State. One concern has always been the possibility of devalued property. However, evidence from the wind farms in New York State proves that property values remain the same or increase in operational wind farms. Suppporting that evidence is a national study entitled "The Impact of Wind Power Projects on Residential Property Values in the United States: A Multi-Hedonic Analysis" by Hoen, Wiser, et. al., December 2009. Wind farm monies lower property taxes. Assessors and supervisors in New York State wind farms attest that township property taxes have dropped significantly, depending on the needs of the township. A poor township like Altona, Clinton County, has used its initial wind payments for machinery, road upgrades, and strengthening of its infrastructure. On the other end are the townships that have completely eliminated a property tax burden, especially in Clinton and Wyoming Counties. Other townships have cut their property tax by as much as fifty percent. The school districts in New York State wind farms benefit the most. School districts within the wind farm footprint are expanding with teachers and programs even in this sluggish economy. The longer the wind farm has been operational, the more prosperous the school district. Two districts that could easily illustrate this are Lowville and Copenhagen, both in the Maple Ridge Wind Farm. Communities within the wind farm footprint benefit significantly. They have become economic showcases of opportunity and prosperity. Karen L. Stumpf 3204 NYS 12E Cape Vincent, NY 13618

Paul and Elaine Mason In the Matter of the Rules and Regulations of the Board on Electric Generation Siting ane the Environment, contained in 16 NYCRR, Chapter X, Certification of Major Electric Generation Facilities. I would like to address Exhibit 28 concerning economics benefits of wind. Living here our whole life, we love the beautiful area along the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. Life long residents such as farmers,landowners,business owners,etc. could really benefit from the wind farm economically. The local schools,town,county, and landowners are in dire need of the income and possibly tax savings a wind farm could bring to the area. The seasonal residents and retired people,who have moved to our town,are not in need of the financial benefits. They made their money in the big cities,etc. and have brought it back in their suitcases. They are not interested in financial benefits to our schools, because they have no children or grandchildren attending these schools. We, as landowners and farmers have been stewards of the land our whole life and have worked long, hard hours producing crops to feed the people and now , we have another crop that could be harvested from our land to benefit many people, "the wind", a clean energy.The more we talk to people from other wind farm towns, we have heard how the turbines have greatly increased their economy. They have brought more people as tourists and more business developments to their areas.All the studies that have been done,show no negative impact on tourism. Paul and Elaine Mason, Cape Vincent, New York 13618

Ellen King In the matter of Rules and Regulations of the Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment, contained in 16NYCRR, Chapter X, Certification of Major Electric Generating Facilities. Our state is desperately in need of electricity. We have the opportunity to hepl provide this FREE utility. It is called WIND. Wind is clean, friendly and I believe this is what we want for our environment. At the same time the approximate 1.7 million dollars per year to be divided between the Thousand Island School District, Town of Cape Vincent and Jefferson County would go a long way toward keeping this area solvent. Lease agreements between land owners and wind companies would help farmers keep their farms of many generations and the average home owners keep their homes. Our school district would be able to continue to provide the best quality education and not have to cut subjects that are greatly needed. I believe the economic environmental and energy security benefits for many should be recognized and valued higher than protecting the views of a very select and vocal few. Thank You for reading my thoughts, Voter for Wind Member Ellen King Cape Vincent, NY

Marlene Burton Over the years Cape Vincent has been taken over by the wealthy summer home owners that have changed the financial base for our school aid. Summer residents were convinced to change their electoral vote to Cape Vincent by anti-wind people. Today our Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board are all run by non native Citizens of Cape Vincent that are against wind. They are now in the process of drafting new zoning laws and comprehensive plans to meet their needs. They are overly burdensome with large set backs and stringent restrictions made largely by emotions, not facts. Even though the Zogby pole and the Jefferson County survey showed that the larger percentage of citizens were in favor of wind, the antis just dont want them! For years our farmers in Cape Vincent have been struggling, and wind turbines would help them financially with clean green energy. A wind farm in Cape Vincent would help the economy by lowering taxes to encourage new homeowners, help our struggling school system from losing our elementary school, provide jobs for many and still be able to keep our lake and river as a recreational resorta win-win solution I have been a member of Voters for Wind for 7 years promoting clean green energy. I am not a recipient for a turbine, but wholly support wind for a much needed clean green energy problem, for the health and welfare of all. Marlene Burton