A Little Enlightenment For Jefferson County Industrial Agency Chief Don Alexander and His "Thimble Theory"

Mr. Don Alexander of the JCIDA apparently feels the visual impact of 600 ft. wind turbines on Galloo Island viewed  from land would be about like looking at something the size of a  "thimble"!

This rang a bell for me about some computer files I had tucked away from the old Acciona and BP wind project SEQR environmental studies for Cape Vincent.  

Well let's see how Donnie's" thimble theory" holds up in reality. 

Below are quotes from the Acciona and BP studies on visual impacts.  It is interesting that  they are amazingly candid. I would assume that is because even the wind companies have been smart enough to figure out what Donnie hasn't...that you can't scam the public and hide the overwhelming  visual impacts of industrial wind development and you look pretty stupid trying to hide the obvious.

Below are the quotes of the visual studies.  Emphasis added is mine.

Acciona Visual Assessment 

The introduction of large, clearly man-made structures creates an obvious disruption of the planar agricultural landscape. The well-defined vertical form of turbines on the horizon introduces a contrasting and distinct perpendicular element into the landscape.  The proposed turbines would be the tallest visible elements within view and will be disproportionate to other elements on the regional landscape. The distribution of turbines across an extended area would result in the proposed Project being perceived as a highly dominant visual element. The moderately paced sweeping rotation of the turbine blades would heighten the conspicuity of the turbines; no matter the degree of visibility. 

 

BP Visual Assessment 

Measured from the ground to the tip of an extended blade, each wind turbine would be up to 420 feet high and visible from numerous locations in the surrounding area.  The height and density of the turbines would make them a focal point and would

change the visual character of the town.

 

 

Sorry Mr. Alexander.  It looks like even the wind companies are telling you your "thimble" doesn't hold water!!!!

Below you can see some "thimbles" from the Acciona and BP visual simulations for Cape Vincent!

And keeping in mind that the turbines modeled in these simulations were approximately 400 ft. high.  The Galloo Island turbines could be nearly 200 ft. higher!!!

 

Or let's look at Donnie's "thimble" theory" in this comparison below.