Dear Editor:

When I initially heard about the proposal by LIPA to use windmills as an alternative fuel source, I kept an open mind on the topic & was in favor of the possibility of clean energy from a seemingly innocuous source. However, upon further research, I have discovered that, contrary to what was purported by the proponents of windmills, Europe has not continued to develop the use of them because of the numerous inherent negative consequences of the system in conjunction with its lack of financial viability. I suggest ALL LIPA ratepayers do some research on their own to help them decide the position they should take on the issue. A very insightful website is www.aweo.org/ ProblemWithWind.html.

At the public meeting held at the Amityville Memorial High School, I recall Richard Kessel admitting that the windmills are an alternative to “$100/ barrel oil,” which he claimed was on the horizon. That statement implies that the windmill energy will cost at least the equivalent of $100/barrel oil. On solely a financial analysis of the issue, the problem with his assumption is that he is not taking into consideration that drilling WILL take place in ANWAR & researchers/investors have been & continue to be actively seeking viable alternatives to fuel that are at least no more expensive than $60/ barrel oil. It appeared to me that Richard Kessel “threatened” the LIPA ratepayers at that meeting by stating that the ratepayers will possibly have to have a coal plant in their backyard if they did not agree to this alternative energy source.

Considering how Mr. Kessel obtained his “claim to fame,” I would find his statements comical if this was not potentially such a serious financial burden for ALL LIPA ratepayers if we allow him & LIPA to commit to this project. Remember, this is an experiment that has NOT been done before in the US. Why does LIPA & Richard Kessel want us to be the guinea pigs for the nation? Does he believe the LIPA ratepayers can be hoodwinked again? One thing for certain, the windmills will make some investors very rich, all at the expense of LIPA ratepayers again. Be warned!

Stephannie Andrews. Amityville