WATERTOWN -- A delegation of citizens groups are calling for an "impartial study to look at the full economic impact" on plans to build wind farms on and off the shore of Lake Ontario.

Representatives of the Rainbow Shores Coalition and the Coalition for the Preservation of the Golden Crescent visited the Watertown office of State Senator Darrel Aubertine Tuesday to lobby against the wind projects. The two groups are comprised of people who own property along the eastern shore of Lake Ontario.

Robert Alliaso says "we are citizens of the state and this region and we'd like to see our character and quality of life protected and preserved." Alliaso says landowners are afraid their property values would plummet if giant wind turbines are built on Galloo Island. The State Power Authority has also requested proposals from developers to build hundreds of turbines in the water along the shoreline.

Proponents say such a huge undertaking would create thousands of jobs, give the economy a boost, and provide New York with green energy. But the citizens groups say the jobs would disappear once construction is completed and wind energy is not as cost efficient as many believe.

The group did not meet with Senator Aubertine directly. The meeting with his chief of staff lasted about an hour.

For more information, visit the American Wind Energy Association or Preserve the Golden Crescent.