Windmill Electricity Generating Complex north of Syracuse is impressive to visit/see (Ridge: credit)

[grdnrman]

I don't know how many people are aware of it but there is a huge alternative energy Windmill Electricity Generating Complex located on the Tug Hill Plateau north of Syracuse. This complex is situated on the eastern edge of Tug Hill near Lowville, NY. There are 200 plus (more being built) gigantic Windmills spread across 3 townships (Harrisburg/Lowville/Martinsburg) up in Lewis County. You may see more Windmills being erected/built using big/tall yellow colored cranes out in the fields. These colossal Windmill Towers with huge wind spinning blades are an impressive sight when seen en masse. I like the thought of NOT having to buy so much oil from the Middle-East and NOT paying those countries so much money for the oil. I'd like to see many more Windmill projects built in appropriate locations across the country. I also believe in solar power where it is feasible. The best overall view of the Windmill complex is from the trapezoidal shaped land area bounded by State Route 177-State Route 12-O'Brien Rd.-Cobb Rd.(County Rt. 25) west of Lowville at the Intersection of Routes 177, Rt. 12 & West Road (check your maps showing Lewis County). Drive that pattern of roads, Rt. 177/Rt. 12/O'Brien Rd./Cobb Rd. (those roads are paved) and you will see a great concentration of multiple Windmills very close to your vehicle. You can also drive along West Road to West Martinsburg (hamlet) and see Windmills up on the ridge edge of the hill. PLEASE DRIVE SAFELY & SLOWLY NEAR HOMES & FARMS. >>>You SHOULD NOT USE any of the "dirt" roads in the area as they are ONLY SAFE FOR FARM EQUIPMENT and YOUR VEHICLE COULD GET STUCK OR SLIDE INTO A DITCH!!<<< You can see Maps on the internet at InfoSpace or Yahoo and other sites. It would make a nice weekend trip/drive for your family or friends to go see the Windmill Complex. Such a trip would also make A GREAT FIELD TRIP FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS. A school assignment could be for the students to write reports about the trip, Windmill power, & alternative energy to earn EXTRA CREDIT in their schoolwork. The land on which the Windmills are built IS PRIVATE PROPERTY and NOT ACCESSIBLE/NO TRESPASSING to visitors without permission from the farmers or landowners--SO DO NOT go walking across the fields to get a closer look. YOU CAN SEE THE HUGE WINDMILLS JUST FINE FROM YOUR VEHICLE OR FROM THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. Turn-on the flashing lights on your vehicle for safety if you stop along the roadside. Some of the farmers and other people living in the Windmill area still use horses for farm work and transportation. You may see horse drawn buggies and equipment on the roads, so please use your good manners and courtesy when you encounter these SLOW MOVING horse drawn vehicles and respect the rights/welfare/safety of the people living in that area. Because of weather conditions the best time for a trip to see the Windmill Complex is until the end of October OR anytime starting May 1 st until the end of October. Wear your coats & hats if it's a cold day because it is colder on Tug Hill. Because of snow storms or bad weather between November thru to the end of April, it is best to visit the Windmill Fields at other times of the year. Lowville is the largest village in the area. There are restaurants, gas stations, & stores on State Route 12 at the south end of Lowville for food and a break on your trip. I hope you do take the trip to see the Windmill Fields; I think you would enjoy it.

[Jeromeville]

It's called the Maple Ridge wind project, and yes, it's very impressive to go up and see.