Farmers want input in wind farms
The Bruce County Federation of Agriculture wants county officials to use a cautious approach when dealing with future wind developments.
President Bob Emerson says they’re not against the technology per say… just the way the big developers are taking advantage of land owners.
Emerson says they’re asking Bruce County council to look farther down the road than 2 or 3 years when it comes to issues such as zoning and setbacks.
He also says farmers aren’t being paid enough when wind developers lease the land and tie it up for 20 to 40 years or more.
Emerson says the Ag Federation IS supportive of single turbine operations or up to 10 megawatt farmer-owned co ops where the profits stay within the community.
What they don’t like are the large energy developers making huge profits that leave the country.
Emerson says it seems the issue of wind energy has been hoisted upon municipalities by the province without any guidelines.
Written by Diana Meder
Bayshore Broadcasting Corporation
13 September 2007
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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