600 foot Industrial wind turbines across Chautauqua County?

No!

Residents suffering from “wind turbine sickness” who live with turbines in Arkwright, Cassadaga, and Forestville/Villenova have described the symptoms they experience to the Chautauqua County Health Board in March 2026.

“When the turbines are spinning, I experience adverse health effects including headaches, severe migraines, sleep disruption, dizziness, tinnitus, nausea and vomiting – spontaneous vomiting, equilibrium disruptions, and heart issues – not severe ones – mostly just palpitation, rapid heart rate. The symptoms are worse on windy days. When I drive into downtown Forestville, two miles away, the symptoms disappear. ” -Margaret Bruegel, Forestville

“….With three in front, three on the side and three behind, when they are running it sounds like a jet plane that never lands. You go outside and you can’t have a peaceful day. Half the summer they were not running – not making any electricity. They roar. The closest one to my house is 1700 feet. People shouldn’t have to live like that. Our property tax was supposed to go down. Our property tax went up. ”

– John Conway, Cassadaga.

“The turbines can create the intense roar of a jetliner that is directly overhead. The only word that I have to verbally describe this type of sound is pounding. When the turbines are pounding, I become physically ill. I get headaches, nausea and dizziness. I cannot be outdoors when the turbines reach this noise level. We don’t sleep on nights when the noise is carrying into our home.”

— Carrie Ann Babcock, Arkwright

“My life has been ruined by the turbines. I have headaches and tinnitus. Eight of my grandchildren cannot visit me because they become nauseated.” – Lynn Bedford, Arkwright.

Towns writing wind laws can use protections other New York towns have used successfully to discourage irresponsible, aggressive wind developers.

Towns can require setbacks recommended by health experts. The town of Pomfret has required six times the height of the turbine setbacks. The town of Parishville requires five times the height of the turbines setbacks; town of Richland setbacks of 5280 feet; Cortlandville setbacks are 3280 feet; Cape Vincent setbacks of 3000 feet; Hammond and Hopkinton setbacks are 2500 feet.

None of these towns have industrial wind.

The Chautauqua County Health Board has recognized the adverse human health effects of industrial wind and recommend 1.5 mile setbacks.

“Based on the NY Health Department’s review of information ….Recognized health-related effects of [industrial wind] audible noise include annoyance, sleep disturbance, cognitive performance reduction, effects on social behavior, cardiovascular effects, and psychophysiological effects…” said Henry Spliethoff, Chief of the Prevention & Sustainability Section of the New York State Department of Health.

Land is being leased for 600 foot wind turbines in the towns of Ellery, North Harmony, Sherman, Stockton, Westfield, Ripley, Mina, Findley Lake, Clymer, and Chautauqua.

No!

Karen Engstrom is a Chautauqua resident.