November 11, 2010
Ontario

Meaford calls for wind farm moratorium

By Don Crosby/QMI Agency, www.wellandtribune.ca 10 November 2010

MEAFORD, ONT – Meaford council is calling on the provincial government to impose a moratorium on wind power development in Ontario until answers are available about health effects on neighbours and what this form of electricity generation costs consumers.

“There are just too many unanswered questions,” Coun. Harley Greenfield said in an interview Tuesday. He introduced the motion, which was passed 5-1.

A similar motion was narrowly defeated in January.

Greenfield said he’s also concerned about what visual effects wind turbines what have on a relatively unspoiled area of Meaford.

International Power Canada plans to install 29 industrial turbines in the Silcote Corners Wind Farm, north of Hwy 26 in the former Sydenham Township.

Coun. Lynda Stephens said she is still in favour of wind energy, but like Greenfield she says there are too many unanswered questions.

“I like the wind turbines. I like the alternative energy . . . finding some more information would not be harmful for sure . . . the plea is for the provincial government to look into this more before they go ahead any further,” Stephens said.

Stephens said she’s not against wind energy, just large industrial wind farms concentrated in a small area. She supports alternative energy being produced to supply local needs, but objects to the production of alternative power for other communities on the energy grid.

Deputy-mayor Michael Traynor abstained from voting, claiming a conflict of interest.

Coun. Gerald Shortt was the only councillor to vote against Monday’s motion.

“I don’t know if I like them or not. . . I have a hard time believing they make you sick,” said Shortt.

“I don’t think I’d want one on my own farm unless I had a big deposit (from the developers) to take it down if they ever walked away from it. That’s the part I think the property owner should be very wary of,” he said.

Greenfield said the wind turbine project being proposed by IPC was a hot topic when he was campaigning door to door for the recent municipal election.

“It’s generating quite a bit of discussion and some opposition,” he said.

[rest of article available at source]

IPC is holding a public information meeting from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 17 at Meaford St. Vincent Community Hall in Meaford.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/11/11/meaford-calls-for-wind-farm-moratorium/