NY State Senator George Maziarz again is shilling for the AES Somerset Coal Power Plant and continuing to assist them in rolling over the small rural town of Somerset New York, including rolling over their right to "home rule" and control of future development of their town. Senator Maziarz has disregarded the Town Lake Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP) approved by the New York Department of State in favor of helping his political friends at AES. His recent letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) asks NOAA to overturn the plan which was developed with AES input.

AES management has recently changed their tune and has now decided that they want to build a finger port over one half mile out into Lake Ontario in order to receive Coal by Lake freighter. A plan never discussed with the town planning board while developing the LWRP. Many suspect this is a ploy to get lower rates for shipping their coal by rail. AES currently has a rail line that delivers coal directly to the plant and has no need of additional facilities for Coal. The damage to the shoreline, tourism, fishing and the coastal environment from Lake Freighters, coal dust and commercial operations could be considerable.

Senator Maziarz again repeats a known falsehood. His Letter states, "In order to remain competitive in the energy generation marketplace," This concept is used to justify anything AES wants but it is a false premise. AES Somerset already out competes all of its competition and is one of the most profitable Coal plants in the Country. Net Revenues after taxes for AES Somerset alone were estimated at over $150 million in 2005 and over $190 million in 2006. AES is a large multi-national corporation looking to increase excessive profits at the expense of small town America. AES is quite profitable using an existing railway system that brings in American Coal and AES does not need to ruin the shore of Lake Ontario with a Commercial pier sticking out over half a mile into the Lake and bringing in foreign coal.

In the past year, Senator Maziarz and his Niagara County political machine assisted the AES Plant in receiving an unprecedented and "illegal" tax break of $95 million dollars over 12 years( $43 million with no inflation). A tax break which was not based on any new jobs or new construction but on decreasing the existing taxes paid on a highly profitable plant. This has caused a 23% jump in school taxes and will cause additional tax increase of up to 3.5% to all Niagara County Taxpayers come January 1 st of 2008.

The Coastline of Lake Ontario is a well developed tourism area for Sport Fishing out of Olcott and Wilson Harbors, as well as a boat launch at Golden Hill State Park which is home to the Thirty Mile Point historic lighthouse. The Shoreline between Wilson and Golden Hill State Park are full of seasonal and year round homes which will all have view of a half mile pier sticking out in to the lake and obstructing their view of some of the most beautiful water in the world. This area is also home to many summer camps that view and use the lake. YMCA Camp, Lighthouse Christian Camp, American Mission Camp and more. Recreational boaters and fisherman use the entire shoreline of Lake Ontario. In fact, sport fishing is a major source of tourism dollars to the County of Niagara and small towns like Olcott Beach. Coal Dust from the unloading will harm the environment, scare away tourist dollars and decrease property values.

Northern Niagara County has a growing Wine trail and Seaway trail that follows the shoreline. AES wants to unload other commodities by ship and load them on trucks that will roll through these small towns on their way back to the Thruway and points East and West. Rural roads not equipped for the traffic.

When the Coal Plant was built the water port was looked at and rejected in favor of building a rail system. Commercial Port ideas were reviewed and rejected over ten years ago by Wilson, Olcott and Somerset. The Somerset LWRP recognizes that AES needs water to make steam but wants future development to enhance the shoreline not destroy the shoreline which many other residents and visitors enjoy.

Senator Maziarz and his political machine has to stop shilling for AES and start defending the voters from corporate greed disguised as economic development which results in higher taxes for Seniors, working families and small business.