April 25, 2007
Ontario
Ontario
The Enbridge Ontario Wind Power Project’s Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing has been delayed.
The hearing will now start a week late on Monday, April 30 at 11 a.m., at the Municipality of Kincardine Administration Centre and is expected to continue daily, ending no later than June 15.
“There were scheduling issues on everyone’s part,” said Scott Dodd, director of power generation for Enbridge.
Dodd said they are prepared to defend the project against both the zoning issues that have been raised about turbine compatibility on specific lots, along with environmental issues like noise, shadow flicker, bird migratory impact, among other complaints.
“It will then unfold as everyone is heard in due process,” he said. “We’ll wait a couple months for a decision.”
The company is represented by Jane Pepino, an OMB lawyer with the firm Aird and Berlis. Dodd said she has been working to make sure the appellants have the information they need.
The construction of its substation could begin at any time on Con. 7 of Bruce Twp., the blades and nacelles are stored at the Glammis bog and towers are further south in Goderich.
They’re still awaiting a certificate of approval from the Ministry of Environment, based on the decision of the Minister on whether or not the Environmental Screening Report (ESR) will be elevated to a full Environmental Assessment (EA).
“Assuming the project isn’t elevated, we could then apply for a (MOE) certificate of approval,” Dodd said.
If the OMB sides with Enbridge, the municipality will have to decide on final zoning approval for the project as well.
The 110-turbine, 180 megawatt project involves 44 property owners and faces four groups of appellants, who’ve joined forces from the original 42 appeals.
Appellant Kathy McCarrel, whose group represents over 20 appellants, said they were ready to get rolling on the hearing.
McCarrel said they hope to get through the planning and zoning issues within the first few days of the hearing, followed up by their testimony surrounding noise issues.
Testifying on behalf of the group will be Daniel D’Entremont of Nova Scotia, who made national news in recent months when his family was driven from their home by inaudible turbine or “˜infrasound’.
“He wants to help out citizens who may be faced with a similar situation as his family’s,” she said.
They also plan on bringing other witnesses from other existing wind farm projects. Issues to be addressed include proximity to homes, setbacks, bird migratory impact and the impact the project will have on “˜sensitive receptors’ or those living in the area.
“We’re good to go,” McCarrel said. “The (Ministry of Environment) isn’t doing its job, so it’s our only avenue to resolve this situation.”
By Troy Patterson
Kincardine News Staff
25 April 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/04/25/enbridge-omb-hearing-starts-this-monday/