Wind Power News: Ontario
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted.
Wind farm neighbours say they had to move
Two Ripley families say they’ve moved out of their homes because of what they say is the negative health effects of living too close to wind turbines.
“We can’t live in our house anymore. We bought a house and moved to Kincardine. My son and daughter-in-law and two-year-old who live on a different farm . . . the wind company is paying for them to stay in Kincardine,” said Glen Wild, one of a half-dozen speakers at a public information session . . .
Huron agricultural group seeks moratorium on wind power projects
The Huron County Federation of Agriculture will be visiting municipalities throughout Huron County asking them to follow Huron East’s lead by passing interim control bylaws on commercial wind energy projects within their borders.
The federation’s directors discussed the current debate around wind turbine developments at their June meeting and passed two resolutions.
One was to request lower-tier municipalities in Huron to enact a moratorium on commercial wind energy projects pending results of an epidemiological study conducted into the health impacts of the . . .
Backyard wind turbine rejected by Ontario Municipal Board
An Ottawa resident who has been lobbying to put a wind turbine in his backyard in the city’s Westboro neighbourhood has been told that his project is grinding to a halt.
Graham Findlay had applied for a variance to install what’s known as an “energy ball” on his property near Island Park Drive.
Findlay is a commercial wind arm developer with Ottawa-based 3G Energy Corporation and has said that he wants to mount that “energy ball” on a pole in his backyard . . .
Province says no to backyard wind turbine
OTTAWA — The city’s first application to put up a small wind turbine in a residential area has been denied by the Ontario Municipal Board, and the Ottawa man behind the proposal says he is giving up the fight for his backyard power generator.
“It’s an opportunity lost to try something new,” said Graham Findlay. “I guess people ran away from that opportunity out of fear — fear of the unknown.”
Findlay, a 55-year-old commercial wind-farm developer who lives near Island Park . . .
Are wind turbines truly safe?
Amidst accolades surrounding the completion of the Wolfe Island wind turbines, a friend and I just took our first trip of the season to my small property on Simcoe Island.
About 5 km west of Marysville, at the turnoff to the Simcoe Island ferry, stand about 15 or more turbines, quite evident on the boat trip across. We drove west another 4 or 5 km to the property, which faces south.
It’s a lovely spot, though noticeably different this year. We did . . .
Time for a public inquiry into wind concerns
On November 24, 2004, the McGuinty Liberals proudly announced the results of its Request for Proposals for 300 megawatts of renewable energy. With noise guidelines developed from the advice of the wind energy industry the McGuinty Liberals started their assault on rural Ontario families.
Soon emerged the first of many reports which described families suffering from adverse health effects related to wind turbine complexes.
What did the McGuinty Liberals do in response to these reports? The McGuinty Liberals ignored them and built . . .
Wind farm opponents voice their concerns to town council
Two delegations appear before council Monday night
AMHERSTBURG – Town council has scheduled a public meeting on genGrowth’s application for the South Side Wind Farm but area residents have not waited to once again voice their concerns.
A number of residents turned out Monday night with two delegations appearing before town council expressing opposition to the genGrowth proposal. A five-turbine wind farm is proposed for just north of Malden Centre, in the area near Concession 6 South and South Side Road.
Bill . . .
Wind farm on St. Lawrence River generates controversy
Canada’s second largest wind farm is up and running, but controversy surrounding the project still hasn’t died down.
We’re talking about the farm on Wolfe Island, which is just across from Cape Vincent on the St. Lawrence River.
The 86 turbines create enough power to run about 75,000 homes a year.
Some say it’s great.
Supporters say the project is energizing the local economy, creating jobs and providing the municipality with money.
But others have concerns.
Opponents say the wind farm threatens the environment, . . .
Wind turbine setbacks in Ontario generate concern
The Ontario government is asking for public input and holding information sessions regarding its proposed setbacks for wind power projects.
Responding to critics of wind turbines who say they create untenable conditions of noise and vibration, the province has said it will require at least 550 metres between a wind turbine and the nearest dwelling or other receptor. The idea is to ensure noise levels at the dwellings do not exceed 40 decibels, which is the level of a library or . . .
Another wind farm proposal
A group has applied for zoning approval to build a five-turbine wind farm near Forest.
The 10-megawatt Eirin Wind Farm would be owned by several landowners in the area.
A 60-metre meteorological tower was erected in 2006 to collect wind data for the project.
“They’re at the stage now where they need to get zoning amendments,” said Adam Wills, planning co-ordinator for Plympton-Wyoming.
Town council has forwarded the re-zoning application to Lambton County’s planning department.
It’s expected a public meeting into the re-zoning applications will . . .
