A number of other scholars and environmentalists also consider criticism of lake source cooling to be unsupported by the evidence. Here are excerpts from their recently published comments:
"Everyone who lives or works within the Cayuga Lake watershed has an impact on the lake. The appropriate issue is not whether Cornell should have an impact. Just by existing it will have impacts. Rather the issue is what kind of an impact Cornell will have. If lake source cooling is not implemented, then some other method of cooling the universitys facilities must be found. We cannot say that lake source cooling will be completely without impacts, but we can say with confidence that those effects will be so small that they will be very difficult to detect. At the same time we can state with equal confidence that retaining traditional chiller plants will have known detrimental effects on the environment. It is this tradeoff that we should all consider. In Ithaca we often see bumper stickers advocating that we think globally, act locally. Lake source cooling is an excellent opportunity to put that sentiment into practice."
Nelson Hairston, F.H.T. Rhodes Professor of environmental science, and Robert Howarth, D. Atkinson Professor of ecology and environmental biology; chair and member respectively, Center for the Environment technical review committee
Follow these links for more from Nelson Hairston on the issues of Phosphorus and Sediments.
"While lake source cooling may not be perfect, it is so far superior to any of the alternatives in all respects that I conclude it to be a superb example of industrial ecology. It is a project to which Ithaca residents can point with pride as an example of what can emerge in this enlightened community if we talk early, often, and share our widest dreams."
Professor Richard Schuler, director, Cornell Institute for Public Affairs
"I was approached by an opponent of lake source cooling who was excited about my credentials and couldnt wait to hear what I would say about the draft environmental impact statement. I had studied that document for over two months. When I told him and other opponents that I supported the project, they quickly dismissed me. It was not what they wanted to hear. When I invited representatives of the Cayuga Lake Defense Fund to a Sierra Club meeting, they were upset that several knowledgeable environmental specialists in attendance did not agree with their assessment of how the lake works. When flaws in their arguments were pointed out they did not listen. They continue to spout these distorted arguments today. In fact it seems to get worse every day."
John Kaminsky, chairman, Finger Lakes Group, Sierra Club
"Critics of lake source cooling mislead this community when they speak about the addition of nutrients to the southern end of Cayuga Lake&. Lake source cooling will reduce our reliance on electricity and reduce Cornells contribution to global warming. It will not harm the southern end of the lake. It will help reduce nutrient concentrations, flush out silt, and slightly lower summer temperatures. We have strong reason to believe that lake source cooling is a win-win proposition."
John Confer, professor of biology, Ithaca College
