Solar Panels on Camp Field Reservoir in Peekskill???

My comments to the Planning Commission

While I have a few reservations as regards solar panels in general, mainly having to do with their eventual need to be recycled when they have outlived their usefulness, I do have very distinct concerns as regards solar panels being placed on top of our drinking water.

It is unfortunate whenever any trees need to be cut down. In general, it is my belief that if any tree is cut down it should be replaced. Trees are a vital part of our ecosystem, unlike solar panels.

I have read through the 70+ pages and would like to ask how you will guarantee that these panels will not break, degrade, or otherwise leach into the reservoir, as a total of 10.5 acres is proposed to be covered by these panels?

We are not Arizona or Nevada. Do we have the sunlight, in the Northeast, during the winter months to generate power enough to warrant the risks of installing these? Does the reward outweigh the risks inherent in placing panels atop the water we drink, cook with, bathe in?

Or, is what we see in this proposal the wishful thinking of those who repeat the mantra: "If it is 'green' it must be good."

In some circumstances the risks and costs outweigh any speculative and unproven benefits that are promised to the public (See: Cohoes, NY).

While, in general, I would be unlikely to take issue with solar panels placed on the roof of a building, whether residential or commercial, or on the roof of a parking structure or municipal building, I do have huge reservations as regards solar panels being placed on top of our drinking water.

I have not seen, anywhere in this proposal, by what means or methods these panels would be recycled and their chemicals be prevented from entering our soil, water, or air at the end of their useful life.

Are the people who are saying this is safe going to be drinking Peekskill water in the years to come? The Applicant/Sponsor is based in Philadelphia, PA. The Project Contact is based in Garrison, NY. Will they be negatively affected if chemicals leach into Peekskill's water? Maybe this project should be placed in Garrison instead.

"Toxic chemicals in solar panels include:

•Cadmium Telluride

•Copper Indium Selinide

•Cadmium Gallium (di) Selinide

•Copper Indium Gallium (di) Selinide

•Hexafluoroethane

•Lead

•Polyvinyl Fluoride

•Hydrochloric Acid

As per: Dr. David H. Nguyen, Cancer Biologist"

Many solar panels use polyfluorinated compounds (PFAS) in their outer layers.

Do you want to imbibe these chemicals? I don't.

Panels can be damaged by hail. Even smaller pieces of hail can cause what is termed "invisible" damage.

The potential for negative health effects and impacts outweighs the carrot of the prospect of lower power costs dangled in front of us. Placing any chemical-laden structure atop a body of drinking water flies in the face of common sense.

What would the cost be, to taxpayers, for the remediation of this body of water, were it to be sullied by the chemicals noted above?

What would the likely cost of lawsuits against the City of Peekskill be, were residents to fall ill after repeated consumption of the chemicals noted above?

I would also submit that, were any of these chemicals to leach into our drinking water, it would have a disproportionate effect on those who are very young (who have a smaller body mass) and those who are elderly and may suffer from multiple medical conditions.

If the intent of the proposal is to lower energy costs, shouldn't energy costs be lowered for all residents and not solely those below a specific income threshold? We are all affected by the rising cost of energy, so this seems rather discriminatory.

Who will profit from this project?

It does not seem, to me, that it will be the residents of Peekskill.

I believe this project should be the subject of a referendum (a vote).

Let the people decide whether it should go forward. Not to do so seems enormously cavalier of the current administration, especially when one considers the potential for negative health effects.

This is one proposal which should not be "rubber stamped" as so many other proposals and projects have been by the City, without careful and commonsensical consideration of how residents will be affected.

Thank you.