Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is the project?
Horse Creek would be located just south of Depauville in the Town of Clayton and Lafargeville in the Town of Orleans.
Driving Route 12, the primary highway to Clayton and the 1000 Islands, you would drive through a mechanical landscape of up to 72 wind turbines to reach the waterfront Village of Clayton. Between Depauville and Gunns Corners, wind turbines up to 500+ feet tall would line both sides of Route 12, creating a setting reminiscent of The War of the Worlds. Turbines would also extend west towards Chaumont and Dexter, and east to the southern border of Lafargeville approaching Interstate 81, another main artery to the 1000 Islands. Travelers that bypass Route 12 and proceed directly to Wellesley Island and Alexandria Bay via Interstate 81 would pass the eastern portion of the project. Portions of the Towns of Lyme and Brownville are also included in the project area.
Driving Route 12, the primary highway to Clayton and the 1000 Islands, you would drive through a mechanical landscape of up to 72 wind turbines to reach the waterfront Village of Clayton. Between Depauville and Gunns Corners, wind turbines up to 500+ feet tall would line both sides of Route 12, creating a setting reminiscent of The War of the Worlds. Turbines would also extend west towards Chaumont and Dexter, and east to the southern border of Lafargeville approaching Interstate 81, another main artery to the 1000 Islands. Travelers that bypass Route 12 and proceed directly to Wellesley Island and Alexandria Bay via Interstate 81 would pass the eastern portion of the project. Portions of the Towns of Lyme and Brownville are also included in the project area.
How many turbines?
As of today, Iberdrola has not committed to a specific number of turbines for Horse Creek. Based on plans announced by Iberdrola the Horse Creek project will include 60-72 turbines; although they have not ruled out expanding the project. As with many project details, Iberdrola is non-committal on the exact number of turbines and given the flexibility of the Article 10 process they can increase, at will, the size of the area and number of turbines without local community input.
How tall are the turbines?
As of today, Iberdrola has not committed to a specific turbine height for Horse Creek. Iberdrola's original Article 10 Public Involvement Program (PIP) dated June 21, 2016, states that turbines up to 500 feet tall are presently under consideration. However, in the Revised PIP, submitted on August 22, 2016, in response to criticism from the New York Department of Public Service (DPS), Iberdrola gave itself a "blank check" stating that taller turbines could be considered. Based on evolving turbine technology and precedent from other New York wind projects it is possible that turbines well over 600 feet could be installed.
What are the next steps in the Article 10 process?
Iberdrola has initiated the pre-application portion of Article 10. Preliminary filings have been made, a PSC case number for Horse Creek has been assigned, and a Public Involvement Program (PIP) plan has been filed and revised. The next step will be Iberdrola's filing of a Preliminary Scoping Statement (PSS) and a 21-day public comment period. We expect the the PSS to be filed any day now. Then, no sooner than 90 days after the PSS, Iberdrola will submit the formal application for the project. All during this process members of the public are encouraged to submit comments either by letter, electronically via on the Horse Creek PSC Case File (below), and by telephone.
How can I get involved to stop Horse Creek?
- Submit a comment opposing the project to the PSC. Urge your family members, friends and neighbors to individually submit comments.
- Consider registering for Party Status with the PSC under Article 10 to ensure that your voice is heard.
- Attend local Town, Village and other community meetings and express your concerns.
- Call and write your elected representatives (available at bottom of Support RATs) and tell them you oppose Horse Creek.
- Participate in the Fort Drum Joint Land Use Survey (JLUS). It is vital to demonstrate just how incompatible Horse Creek is with Fort Drum. Click here to submit your comment.
- Register your business or organization as a River RATs Supporter.
- Send us an email. There are multiple ways you can make an immediate impact.
- Visit this website frequently. We are constantly updating as this process continues.
- Like Us on Facebook. We need your help to develop a strong community-based social media platform.
How do I send a comment to the PSC opposing Horse Creek?
Click to tell the Public Service Commission that the 1000 Islands is the wrong place for industrial wind!
The link above will take you to the Horse Creek Wind Project Case File. Submit your comment by clicking the second tab, labeled Public Comments. Then, scroll to the bottom of the page and click Post Comments. This will bring up a new window where you can write or paste in comments.
How Do I Contact River RATs?
River Residents Against Turbines
PO Box 552
Clayton, NY 13624
PO Box 552
Clayton, NY 13624