Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C-Black River) opposed a measure that passed in the Assembly last week that takes authority for deciding where power production facilities such as wind turbines should be placed away from local planners and governing boards.

Blankenbush’s 122nd District district includes the town of Parishville and Hopkinton, where Iberdrola Renewable Energy has said it is interested in putting wind turbines.

“In the late hours of Wednesday’s legislative session, the Assembly Majority presented a bill meant to promote clean energy and more independent power production,” Blankenbush said.

“However, this legislation significantly alters how energy generating facilities are sited by taking away local authority and placing it in the hands of Albany politicians. While full of positive intentions, the bill’s effort to take away local control is troubling,” Blankenbush said.

“The board that will determine siting of power generating facilities would be made up of appointments by the governor, Speaker Silver, and the Majority Leader of the Senate. Essentially, what that is going to give us is a New York City dominated board making determinations for the people of the North Country,” he said.

“When I was chairman of the Jefferson County Legislature, we made the local determination to deny the giant wind project in the waters of Lake Ontario. Under this bill we wouldn’t have been allowed to make such a decision.

“Albany’s ‘one size fits all’ policy rarely works and ultimately, the decision on whether to explore or erect alternative energy generation solutions should be left to the locality it will affect. Local rule has worked well in my district and I’d like to see it continue that way.”