October 5, 2010
Ontario

Council declares moratorium on wind farm; Norwood opposing proposed Collie Hill site

By Mark Hoult, The Community Press, www.communitypress.ca 4 October 2010

Asphodel-Norwood – Council here is tacking against the wind by declaring a moratorium on the local construction of wind turbines.

“We just wanted to make a statement that we are not happy about what’s going on,” Reeve Doug Pearcy said following council’s decision last week.

Council’s resolution is in response to the growing number of residents opposing the proposed Collie Hill Wind Farm. Energy Farming Ontario wants to build three 1.8-megawatt wind turbines on privately-owned land south of Norwood near Hastings.

Council members have been buffeted by questions from residents concerned about the effect of wind turbines on human health and their impact on the rural environment.

“There’s a lot of opposition developing, and a whole lot of questions out there around the health issues,” said Pearcy, adding some question the idea that wind power is the answer to the problems caused by the use of coal and other non-renewable resources.

“We’re really looking for some answers to these questions. But right now the ministry of the environment won’t even talk to us about it.”