August 19, 2011
Ontario

Wind activist warn of turbine costs

By Heather Wright, www.sarniathisweek.com

A wind activist is urging Lambton Shores council to protect itself if 250 wind turbines are built in the community.

Council endorsed a moratorium on the building of industrial wind turbines until an independent health study is completed. So far, the provincial government has moved the projects ahead.

Two wind farms are on the books for Lambton Shores, expected to be built in the next two years. Marcelle Brooks opposes the projects. She suggested the moratorium. But Brooks wants council also to be proactive, ensuring the municipality doesn’t foot the bill for some of the problems other municipalities have had.

“We need to be prepared and not get saddled with the costs and liabilities. We need a strategy,” says Brooks.

Brooks says the heavy equipment used to build the large turbines can damage municipal roads.

There are also safety concerns such as how will the municipality be able to rescue anyone at the top of the turbine if it doesn’t have a fire department equipped with an aerial truck. She says council has to have discussions with the companies about who will pay for the equipment and training which will be necessary.

Brooks is also concerned about what will happen to the wind turbines when the companies are done with them. Brooks says money for decommissioning “may not be available if the companies are leaving the municipality and the municipality will be liable,” she says noting the council should be demanding a bond from the wind power companies.

Council agrees the issues need to be addressed. They’ve asked administrators to study the issues.

[rest of article available at source]

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/08/19/wind-activist-warn-of-turbine-costs/