Unlocking the Great Lakes’ offshore wind energy resources could yield tremendous economic and environmental benefits throughout the region, and has the potential to produce more than 700 gigawatts of energy from offshore wind, about one fifth of the total offshore wind potential in the U.S.  The development of even a small portion of the area’s offshore wind potential could create tens of thousands of clean energy jobs and generate revenue for local businesses.  These efforts are in line with the steps the Administration has taken to increase domestic energy production, including increased production of our nation’s oil and natural gas resources – with domestic oil production higher than any time in the last eight years and natural gas at an all-time high.  The Administration is also supporting the construction of the first nuclear power plant in 30 years, and today’s announcement builds on the extensive effort by the Administration to increase energy from renewable sources like wind and solar, which will double by the end of the President’s first term.

Yes there are issues with utility scale wind farms, including bird and bat deaths, especially in major migratory paths and rest areas. But there are steps that can be taken to reduce these deaths and that also increase the efficiency of the turbines. One such improvement is the use of shrouds at the outer edges of the turbine blades.

As for the 'criticism' of aesthetics, my opinion is they look a lot better than the blood of our young soldiers seeping into the sands of some middle eastern country to protect our access to oil. But that is just MY opinion. I think it is as patriotic a visage as the American flag blowing in the wind.

This has the potential to impact NY states energy system in the same way that Niagara Falls did at the turn of the 20th century.