Hamburg, N.Y. (WBEN) - The battle against wind turbines on Lake Erie continues in earnest, as a coalition of local leaders is pressing New York State to snuff the movement.
Congressman Nick Langworthy (R, NY-23) is joining councilmembers of the Hamburg Town Board, members of CAWTILE (Citizens Against Wind Turbines in Lake Erie) and state lawmakers to call on Gov. Kathy Hochul to issue a moratorium on Great Lakes wind projects and to highlight his Lakes Before Turbines Act (H.R. 426).
"Turbines do not belong on the shorelines of the Great Lakes, period. End of story," said Langworthy. "They're expensive, they're unreliable, and they'd harm our lakes precious ecosystem, while having a negligible impact on the energy supply."
Langworthy references a statement from NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) who recently said in a report that the Great Lakes wind projects at this time does not offer a unique, critical or cost-effective contribution towards the achievement of New York's climate goals.
In January 2023, Congressman Langworthy introduced H.R. 426, the Lakes Before Turbines Act, his first legislative effort. This bill seeks to eliminate tax credits for the construction of wind farms on any of the Great Lakes.
"They're not profitable organically, only through the giveaways of taxpayer dollars. So if we stripped the federal tax credits, they would all die natural deaths," said Langworthy.
The Hamburg Town Board unanimously passed a resolution objecting to the wind turbines.
"We're thrilled to be the first local community to emphatically say we are behind quartile, and we do not want wind turbines in our lake," said Hamburg councilwoman Elizabeth Farrell Lorentz.
“Our lake is so precious to us, we cannot ruin it. We cannot ruin our drinking water,” said Patty Meckes of CAWTILE. “Together, we can stand up against wind turbines. Not now, not ever.”
Rep. Langworthy is calling on Gov. Hochul to place a moratorium on wind projects and any other similar proposal.
"If she's really still a Western New Yorker, she will understand this helps no one in this community. This will not help them achieve their agenda," Langworthy said.
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