With Lake Erie as his backdrop, state Sen. Chris Jacobs used Sturgeon Point Marina in Evans to introduce legislation establishing a moratorium, or halt, to the construction or placement of wind turbines along any fresh water body in the state.
- The measure does not include turbines on-shore
- Town of Evans leading the opposition
- Erie County holding a special hearing Thursday afternoon
"Don't mess with the fresh water. Don't mess with our fresh water. Our source of life," said Jacobs, (R) Senate - Buffalo.
It comes as Diamond Generating Corporation, of California, looks to put 50 turbines, 450 feet high in Lake Erie, bordering Hamburg, Brant, Angola and Evans.
"There are just simply too many questions, environmentally and others that have not been answered and we have not got clear directive of the process," said Jacobs.
Leaders say the turbines would negatively impact the environment and national border security by disabling sophisticated radar systems used to stop drug smuggling and human trafficking.
They're also expected to have an impact on tourism, the local economy and the 11 million people who rely on Lake Erie for their drinking water.
"The state to allow something like this, to jeopardize a resource as big as Lake Erie and how many people depend on it, it would be irresponsible for us to allow it to happen," said Mary Hosler, (D) Evans town supervisor.
Those with Citizens Against Wind Turbines in Lake Erie say the wind farm would disrupt commercial and recreational fishing, as well as the pollution that sits at the bottom of the lake.
"Industrial turbines would cause all kinds of chaos. This beautiful shoreline. Having turbines all along the shoreline. The visual part of it is nothing. The amount of power produced by those turbines is not going to justify all the damage it’s going to do," said Jim Hanley, Lake Erie Charters captain.
Erie County legislator John Mills says the legislature's energy and environment committee is holding a special hearing Thursday afternoon to discuss both sides of the matter.