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 and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Lambton Shores ‘not a willing host’ to turbines
Lambton Shores Council has joined dozens of municipalities which say they are ‘not willing hosts’ to industrial wind turbines. Municipalities have had little say in the planning of the projects since the province brought in the Green Energy Act. It overruled any local planning authority. At the time, then- Premier Dalton McGuinty said it would stop people from objecting to the projects simply because they didn’t want them in their backyards. But since then, rural communities have organized lobbying groups . . .
Hamilton Township an ‘unwilling host’
Hamilton Township municipal councillors have voted unanimously to declare the township an “unwilling host” for any future large, green-energy, solar and wind projects. It joins Alnwick/Haldimand which took similar action last February. Alnwick/Haldimand council’s motion addresses only industrial wind turbine farms located on the Oak Ridges Moraine. It also requests a moratorium on all industrial wind installations until such time as low frequency noise and infrasound study is reviewed “and mitigated through the Renewable Energy Approval process” along with “conclusive . . .
The high cost of wind power
First of all, I must identify myself as an employee of Ontario Power Generation, and declare that the views and opinions expressed in this statement are my own and do not represent OPG in any way. After reading Bill Scollie’s letter concerning the high cost of wind power (Wind Farm — We All Pay, May 16), I did a little research. The weekend of May 11-12 was very windy in most of Ontario, from 7 p.m. on Friday, May 10 . . .
South Huron an “unwilling host” to wind turbines
SOUTH HURON — The Municipality of South Huron has officially declared itself an “unwilling host” to industrial wind turbines. Council passed a motion at its May 13 meeting declaring itself an unwilling host to wind turbines, while also requesting the province give more say to municipalities regarding municipal planning and site plan control for future wind and solar projects. As reported in last week’s Times-Advocate, council declined at its May 6 meeting to declare itself an unwilling host to wind . . .
Norfolk declares itself unwilling to host new wind farms
Norfolk County has declared itself unwilling to host new industrial wind farms. County council voted 8-1 last Tuesday to notify the provincial government that it wants no more wind turbines approved for Norfolk. The message by itself will not stop the province from approving the proposed Port Ryerse Wind Farm or other projects. But councillors hope the province will take heed of the growing chorus of municipalities asking to put the brakes on Ontario’s push for wind energy. Premier Kathleen . . .
Municipality of Kincardine council against changes to municipal airport
The Municipality of Kincardine has decided they oppose any changes to the municipal airport, including new flight plans and approaches proposed by Armow Wind turbines. The decision came at the May 15, 2013 meeting of council. Deputy Mayor Anne Eadie sat in for Mayor Larry Kraemer who was away. Charles Cormier, an aviation expert hired by Samsung-Pattern, reviewed the recent issues regarding certain turbines that will impact the airport. Cormier created a proposal to alter flight paths and approaches to . . .
Huron County Health Unit will not proceed with request for IWT health study
The Huron County Health Unit will not be proceeding with a study that looks at the health effects of industrial wind turbines, unless a lower tier is prepared to foot the bill. But the bill, according to Erica Clark, epidemiologist for the Health Unit, could be upwards of $400,000. The decision was prompted by a request from the municipality of Bluewater to undertake the study. During a presentation to the Health Unit’s Board on May 9, Clark outlined four different . . .
Council doing what it can to hold wind developers to account
Grey Highlands is putting more pressure on wind developers with a bylaw that formalizes the municipality’s expectations and lays out what a proponent is expected to do when dealing with council and the community. The bylaw “establishes accountability mechanisms within the framework” of Ontario’s Green Energy Act, according to chief administrative officer Dan Best. While Grey Highlands has passed a motion declaring itself unwilling to host wind energy projects, under the bylaw it is also exercising its options in dealing . . .
Peer-reviewed commentary published in Canadian family physician journal
A peer-reviewed article in the official journal of the College of Family Physicians of Canada says its members should expect to see increasing numbers of rural patients reporting adverse effects from exposure to industrial wind turbines. The commentary, published in the May issue of Canadian Family Physician, says turbines can harm human health if built too close to where people live. Ontario’s Green Energy Act requires that turbines be at least 550 metres away from neighbouring homes but the article . . .
Unhealthy setback
Stephana Johnston retired to a small rural community on the north shore of Lake Erie after a career in teaching. Her newfound home was quiet, peaceful and friendly. She imagined she would live out her days in Clear Creek. But five years ago, trucks arrived to erect 18 industrial wind turbines around her home. Her dream retirement came to an abrupt and rude end. When the turbines turn Stephana becomes disoriented, dizzy and has great difficulty sleeping. Relief comes only . . .
