GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WBEN) - Congressman Chris Collins said he's concerned about the border security impact of a potential wind turbine farm off the shoreline of Lake Erie and introduced federal legislation which would prevent the creation of the turbines by New York State.
Collins' push comes in response to a joint-press conference with Governor Andrew Cuomo and former Vice President Al Gore on July 18, where the governor announced the "Green New Formula", which would create two offshore wind farms downstate. The first wind farm is east of Long Island and will provide 880 megawatts to feed power into the Long Island area. The second project is 14 miles southeast of Manhattan to feed 816 megawatts to New York City.
"1,700 megawatts is enough to power over 1 million homes," Cuomo said earlier this month.
Cuomo said the projects will generate $3.2 billion in economic activity and generate 1,600 construction and permanent jobs.
The congressman said there could be as many as 50 wind turbines placed in Lake Erie.
Citing border security concerns, @RepChrisCollins said he's proposed legislation which would stop the installation of wind turbines along Lake Erie. He said the tall heights of the turbine would affect radar capabilities. pic.twitter.com/YqCXlVTlRD
— WBEN NewsRadio 930AM (@NewsRadio930) July 30, 2019Collins' legislation would prevent the turbines from being put in Lake Erie within a specific mile range to the radar systems, meaning they couldn't be placed anywhere off the shores of Lake Erie.
"We have to look at the all the unintended consequences," Collins said. "In this case, it's real. It would put our border at risk."
The congressman met Tuesday with members from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Grand Island though representatives from CBP did not join Collins during his press conference. Collins said there is "politics" involved but said they support the push against the wind turbines in Lake Erie.
There are dozens of wind turbines that are inland that have generated controversy over the years, but Collins said that's a local battle and that he doesn't have much control over that issue.
NYSERDA sent a statement, "New York's development of offshore wind is focused in the New York Bight region of the Atlantic Ocean. The New York State Offshore Wind Master Plan did not assess the Great Lakes nor are such projects currently eligible under New York's offshore wind standard."
View the state's master plan for offshore wind turbines by clicking the link below.
