September 9, 2010
Ontario

Clarington decides to stay out of wind farm court battle

Jennifer O'Meara, www.newsdurhamregion.com 8 September 2010

BOWMANVILLE – Clarington council has decided not to get involved in a court battle with the Province over wind farm setback requirements in Ontario.

At a special council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 7, council backtracked on an earlier decision to spend up to $40,000 to intervene in a judicial review of the Ontario Green Energy Act 550-metre setbacks for wind farms from residences.

The municipality wanted a seat at the table of the judicial review, filed by Ian Hanna of Wind Concerns Ontario, who is asking to halt wind turbine development close to homes until independent health studies are done to determine safe setbacks.

“The Municipality of Clarington may be adversely affected by a judgment in the application filed by Ian Hanna,” said Councillor Gord Robinson, at the July 12 meeting.

There were concerns that Clarington’s participation would delay the judicial review scheduled to begin in late September.

After an in-camera meeting with Clarington solicitor Andy Allison, council rescinded the July 12 motion, “given the concerns expressed by Mr. Hanna and his lawyer regarding possible unintended effects of the municipality seeking to intervene in the judicial review application and the possibility of an intervention motion not succeeding,” said Councillor Mary Novak.

There are two wind farms proposed for rural Clarington – one by Energy Farming called ZEP Wind Farm Ganaraska and the other by Clarington Wind Farm Leader Energy. Both applications are in the early stages. ZEP Wind Farm Ganaraska is studying the area from Mosport Park to Kendalwood Park to see if it’s suitable for a wind farm. Clarington Wind Farm Leader Energy is considering land from Kirby to Port Granby.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/09/09/clarington-decides-to-stay-out-of-wind-farm-court-battle/