MV Council acknowledges concerns over wind farms; But opponents seek moratorium on approval of any turbines
The Township of Madawaska Valley this week pledged that any decision of the future of wind turbines in the area would be made only after a full public discussion on the issue.
Meanwhile, however, SOS (Save Our Skyline), a group of about 400 citizens opposed to the construction of wind turbines called on the township council to take a cue from a neighbouring council and impose a moratorium on the approval of any large-scale win project until more is known about their impact on the communities in which they are located. In mid-October, council for the Township of South Algonquin imposed a 10-year moratorium on approval of any wind turbine projects.
In their news release, Madawaska Valley councillors noted that while a firm named SkyPower has proposed building six of the massive turbines in the hills north of Wilno, no application for an official plan amendment and zoning bylaw change has been received for the so-called Wilno Wind Project.
The release (a full text of which appears on page two of this issue) says that councillors went on a fact-finding tour of wind farm operations in southern Ontario in early October.
“The tour consisted of a series of meetings with municipal officials, wind developers, landowners and impromptu conversations with business owners and other citizens, all of which gave the township a better understanding of the potential developments in this area,” the news release said. “It also provided a baseline for further education and research on the subject of wind power.”
But at Monday night’s regular council meeting, SOS president and spokesperson Lou Eyamie questioned council’s decision not to meet with opponents of the wind projects in the areas that councillors visited, adding that SOS had offered to supply councillors with the contacts.
He said SOS also had concerns about the quality of information that councillors might have obtained during their trip.
He also said that at one site toured by councillors, the wind turbines were operating at less than 25 per cent capacity on the day of their visit, a fact that would have reduced the noise output considerably.
However, Eyamie also praised council for listening to the concerns of local wind turbine opponents.
“It is very clear to all of us that you have listened to the concerns of the citizens” on the wind farm issue, Eyamie said, adding that it was also good to see that area municipalities are working together on the wind farm issue.
Hildebrandt replied that council is “very much together on this situation.” He says councillors want more information before they make a decision, adding that, “We’re looking at them (turbines) long and hard and very carefully.”
He also said the township would be working together with surrounding communities, but then added:
“Whatever decision we make will be made for what we feel our constituents either want or don’t want.” He pledged that the decision would be reached in “a very, very, very public process.” Furthermore, he said, it won’t happen soon.
In other council news, the councillors heartily endorsed a resolution supporting the provincial ban on the use of cell phones and other electronic devices while driving. “I say yes, yes and yes to this one,” Hildebrandt told the meeting, and all four councillors voiced their support.
Hildebrandt added that he would also like to see a ban the use of plastic disposable water bottles, something that municipalities have the right to do.
“I think we should have a serious discussion about this one day, because I get sick of seeing those plastic bottles around all over the place,” the mayor said.
Councillor Phil Conway will draw up a letter of support and congratulations for the Sisters of St. Joseph, who are marking 80 years of service to the village of Barry’s Bay this year. Councillors all spoke in favour of the letter and reminisced about the sisters and their mission.
“They taught me everything I know,” Councillor Sylvie Yantha said.
By Douglas Gloin
5 November 2008
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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