Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to the most common questions we receive from community members about the proposed wind farm. This page is intended to provide clear, factual information and address common misconceptions so residents can make informed decisions based on accurate details. We believe transparency and open dialogue are essential, and we welcome thoughtful questions and feedback at any time. If you don’t see your question addressed here, please don’t hesitate to reach out using the contact button to the right – we’re always happy to continue the conversation.

What is wind energy?

Wind is a clean, free, abundant, and domestic source of renewable energy. It does not need to be mined, shipped, or combusted, and it does not emit harmful greenhouse gases or air pollutants.

Wind energy is the process by which wind turbines convert the kinetic energy, or movement, of wind into electricity

How does a wind turbine work?

The wind flows over turbine blades, causing them to turn. This motion spins a shaft that connects to a generator, which produces electricity. The major components of a wind turbine are the blades, the nacelle, and the tower. Three blades make up the rotor. They are made of carbon and fiberglass and are aerodynamically designed to capture wind efficiently while still being light and flexible enough to withstand a wide range of environmental circumstances and conditions

Are wind turbines safe?

Yes! Wind turbines have an excellent safety record, and modern turbines are employed with equipment and setbacks that ensure the safest scenario for all involved. You can read a little bit more about the process of safely siting turbines in section 2.8 of Land-Based Wind Energy Siting: A Foundational and Technical Resource, published by the US Department of Energy. This resource contains many other helpful facts and guidelines about how wind projects are developed.

How do wind turbines withstand extreme weather?

Modern wind turbines are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions like high winds and icing events. The turbines are equipped with technology to stop operations under conditions that could potentially cause damage to the equipment or the surrounding area.

What are the components of the project?

Major components of the project include the turbines, substation, electrical power collector system, fiber optic communications lines, two meteorological towers (“met towers”), and access roads to the met tower sites, turbines, and their ancillary components and infrastructure.

Will the energy produced by this project be consumed locally?

Yes. More electricity generated locally means less electricity needs to be transmitted into the region from farther away.

Electricity behaves similarly to a drop of water added to a bucket – once added, it becomes part of the whole and cannot be distinguished from other drops. The flow of electrons is electricity, and an electron moving through the utility system cannot be distinguished from others.

Electrons flow through wires to be used by the nearest consumer. Increasing local generation helps reduce demand for electricity transmitted from outside the region.

Are local customers able to buy power from the project?

The energy from the project will most likely be sold to NYSERDA for the benefit of ratepayers in New York. As part of that process, the project will provide a Host Community Benefit to residential customers in the Towns of Otisco, Tully, and Lafayette. The Host Community Benefit is a credit on customers’ utility bills for the first 10 years of operation. These payments will be distributed equally among all residential utility customers within these municipalities, and complement the many other benefits brought to the community from this project (including any PILOT or other community agreements). More information on this program issued by the New York State Public Service Commission can be found here.

Will wind energy raise my electric rates?

No, it will not. Wind energy is the cheapest (Lazard, 2023) form of energy available as it is both domestic and abundant, and does not have any associated fuel or air pollution costs like coal, oil and natural gas do.

Do wind turbines affect wildlife?

This varies by location. Maple Harvest is committed to protecting wildlife and surrounding natural habitats and is completing pre-development studies and consulting wildlife experts to minimize impacts on surrounding wildlife. A common concern is the welfare of local bird populations; however, the MIT Climate Portal explains that land-based wind turbines account for far fewer bird deaths than cats or building collisions (MIT Climate Portal, 2023). More information about potential effects on wildlife and environmental review processes can be found through the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (U.S. DOE EERE, n.d.).

Do wind turbines affect humans?

Wind energy supports overall human health by reducing reliance on fossil fuel power plants. The transition toward renewable energy provides overall health benefits to communities (U.S. DOE EERE, n.d.). Fossil-fuel electricity generation releases pollutants into the atmosphere that contribute to smog and ozone formation. These pollutants are associated with adverse health effects including asthma, respiratory illness, and cardiovascular disease. A National Institutes of Health study found that prolonged decreases in outdoor air pollution were associated with a 20% reduction in asthma cases among children (NIH, 2023). Increasing renewable energy generation can help limit local residents’ exposure to harmful air pollutants.

Do wind turbines affect the environment?

Wind turbines do not release emissions that pollute the air or water, and do not require water for cooling. By offsetting energy generation from fossil fuels, wind energy results in lower overall air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Regarding the immediate environment of the facility: rigorous siting, testing, and analysis is completed throughout the entire project development process to ensure minimal environmental impact to the facility site.

Can wind turbines be recycled?

Yes, the main components of a wind turbine are made of steel. Other metal components, such as copper wiring, are also regularly recycled.

Many people are curious about what happens to the blades, as the blades are primarily fiberglass. As more modern wind turbine blades are being removed or replaced, blade recycling is popping up as a new industry. Here’s an example.

Sources & Citations

Lazard (2023)
Levelized Cost of Energy Analysis – Version 16.0. Lazard Ltd.
(View Report)

National Institutes of Health (2023)
Asthma cases dropped when air pollution declined. National Institutes of Health.
(View Report)

U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (n.d.)
DOE Environmental Impact Statements. U.S. Department of Energy.
(View Report)

U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (n.d.)
How Wind Can Help Us Breathe Easier. U.S. Department of Energy.
(View Report)

MIT Climate Portal (2023)
Do wind turbines kill birds? Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
(View Report)