July 6, 2011
Ontario

Taking wind to court

by Kevin Bernard, www.bayshorebroadcasting.ca 6 July 2011

A citizens group is headed to court, to try and stop wind turbines from going up in the Beaver Valley.

President of Preserve Grey Highlands Citizens Alliance Incorporated, Larry Close, tells Bayshore Broadcasting Newsthey have filed a judicial review application in the Ontario Divisional Court.

It challenges the Ministry of Environment, over its’ Certificate of Approval for the 18 wind turbines planned by International Power Canada.

IPC recently was given a green light for construction to begin, by Grey Highlands council.

Close says the Municipality had little choice under the Green Energy act because it gives local politicians no control over the development.

The judicial review application claims the Environmental Assessment process is flawed, because the Ministry of Environment is biased in favour of wind power.

The group also says the government has relied almost exclusively on information supplied by wind developers – including one on the impact on property values.

Close says that document is from the U-S and it looks at properties 10 miles away from wind turbines, while ignoring properties like those in Grey Highlands that are only 550 metres away.

The Plateau Wind Project (by IPC) will span centuries-old wetlands that are source waters for the Saugeen, Grand and Mad Rivers.

The judicial review application was filed late Thursday June 30th and Close has no idea when the Divisional court will rule on whether to hold a hearing.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/07/06/taking-wind-to-court/