April 12, 2011
Ontario

New wind turbine setback

by John Divinski, www.bayshorebroadcasting.ca 12 April 2011by John Divinski, www.bayshorebroadcasting.ca 12 April 2011

Saugeen Shores council is now on record increasing the setback allowance for wind turbine development.

The setback is now one thousand meters as opposed to the provincially mandated 550 meters.

Leader Resources Services representatives were on hand with a presentation and suggested the proposed setbacks constitute a moratorium on wind development.

Comments from three people – Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau , Vice deputy mayor Doug Gowanlock, and from a Kincardine/Saugeen Shores farmer Les Kempers who approached Leader to develop a wind farm on his property and that of his parents – sums up the arguments.

Charbonneau says the 550 meter setback number seems to be one that has been plucked out of the air.

He says the municipality’s one thousand meter setback came on the recommendation of the Medical Officer of Health for Grey Bruce, Doctor Hazel Lynn.

Gowanlock says they’re concerned about the potential health effects on its citizens and wants to see a delay in future development.

Kempers says it’s nothing but posturing and grandstanding by some Saugeen Shores councillors.

He says the landowners, who invited Leader to develop wind farms in Arran Elderslie and North Bruce, do not want Saugeen Shores spending tax dollars on a court challenge in this regard, when the Green Energy Act supercedes everything anyway.

But, he says, if that challenge is made, he will support wind turbine development.

Meanwhile, Leader Communications Manager Heather Boa says they will continue to try to work with the municipality and keep the dialogue channels open.

She says they will again look at their project in light of the new bylaw.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/04/12/new-wind-turbine-setback/