HomeMy WebLinkAboutI - 06 Resident Correspondence^. i3.2023
is an open ietter to the leadership of Homer. Cortlandville. and the Cortland Standard
newspaner.
Everyone is looking for solutions to the problem of our dependence on fossil Weis ror our pa
needs. Solar and wind power have been the most touted to the public. Thev have their merits. but manv
peopie have complaints about proposed projects, sighting noise, spoiling the view, lowering of property
values, etc. as reasons they don't want such projects located in their "backyard".
I was wondering why's' one has looked into the feasibility of hvdro-electric power? We have the
Tioughnioga River running through our towns, why not utilize it?
Cheap electric for Homer ad Cortlandville would be a big boon to the area. It would enable
residents and businesses to meet their power needs economically and )fan eco-friendly manner. It
would also be a very large enticement for attracting new businesses and manufacturing to the area.
There are several companies that can build and install small scale power plants. i.e. Siemens
Energy. Thev can install a plant that can generate as much as 30 megawatts of power. (one mega watt
can supply, on average, power from 400 to 1000 homes per year)
This project will require some infrastructure and financial expenditures, but could prove to be a
long term solution to our power needs. New York State has several grants available to help pay for the
development of re-newable power generation and storage. i.e. the Clean Energy Fund
We have already had a dam in the river, the remnants can still be seen on the West Branch of the
Tioughnioga River, off South Main St. in Homer, behind the Albany International parking lot.
Part of the land that has been proposed for a park could be used to build the power pla* fhe plant
could also encourage tourism by offering tours and electric car charging kiosks.
Let's make our area a showcase for what a small town community can do to combat climate change!
Sincerely,
Donna M. Hill
4879 Sweeney Rd.
Cortland. N.Y. 13045
607-749-4180