November
26, 2012
Hon.
Jaclyn A. Brilling
Secretary,
New York State Public Service Commission
Three
Empire state Plaza
Albany,
NY 12223-1350
Re: Case 12-F-0410
Dear
Secretary Brilling:
We
are in receipt of a letter dated November 20, 2012 from Mr. Larry Folks, Senior
Vice
President
and Chief Development Officer for BP Wind Energy North America, Inc.
Mr.
Folks claims in his letter to respond to a letter sent to BP Alternative Energy
and BP Wind Energy North America on October 30, 2012. In that October 30 letter
we, the collective elected and appointed officials of the government of the
Town of Cape Vincent, expressed a number of problems we experienced in
attempting to learn BPs plans for a major wind power development project in our
town.
Mr.
Folks’ letter is a “response” only in the most technical sense. In fact, it is
wholly
unresponsive.
Of the several concerns and questions clearly set forth in our letter, Mr.
Folks does not respond to any of them. His letter does not merely fail to
clarify anything; it does not even do us the courtesy of acknowledging the
issues presented in our letter.
BP
Wind Energy claims to be proceeding in good faith under Article 10 by engaging
in a Public Involvement Program (PIP) through which they will diligently seek
to inform and educate the residents of Cape Vincent and other stakeholders.
However, the referenced BP letter shows no trace of genuine public involvement.
It is nothing more than a few short paragraphs of very standard BP marketing
language quoting generalized benefits that BP asserts will come to a community
from having a wind project. We could have lifted that language from one of
their
brochures.
The letter concludes with BP claim to be looking forward to “continuing dialogue” with us, but
we are unaware of any dialogue to date with BP -- in spite of our repeated efforts to have one.
BP’s effort is better characterized as a monologue, not a dialog.
This most recent communication from BP is very disturbing. It serves as further indication that
our town is faced with a major industrial developer, proposing a project of unprecedented size
and scope, which refuses to talk with us in any meaningful way.
We trust that you will weigh our concerns and frustrations very carefully as you continue to
evaluate BP’s so-called public involvement with the Town of Cape Vincent.
Sincerely,
Urban C. Hirschey
Supervisor
The letter concludes with BP claim to be looking forward to “continuing dialogue” with us, but
we are unaware of any dialogue to date with BP -- in spite of our repeated efforts to have one.
BP’s effort is better characterized as a monologue, not a dialog.
This most recent communication from BP is very disturbing. It serves as further indication that
our town is faced with a major industrial developer, proposing a project of unprecedented size
and scope, which refuses to talk with us in any meaningful way.
We trust that you will weigh our concerns and frustrations very carefully as you continue to
evaluate BP’s so-called public involvement with the Town of Cape Vincent.
Sincerely,
Urban C. Hirschey
Supervisor
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