November 30, 2011
Letters, Saskatchewan

Show the reports

www.thestarphoenix.com 30 November 2011

Recently Saskatoon’s council approved the construction of a $5-million Saskatoon wind turbine on top of the landfill. On its website, the City of Saskatoon makes reference to “four feasibility and assessment reports” with respect to the turbine.

These studies analyze the noise created, the soil conditions for construction, wind speed and impact on birds and bats.

There is no “report” listed on the economics of the project.

In its conclusion, the report on wind speed states that “The site, therefore, would be considered marginal for supporting wind power generation.”

In light of our current civic tax dilemmas, why would councillors approve the spending of taxpayer money on a “marginal” project?

Councillors have recently appeared at town hall meetings telling us that the wind turbine will power 450 homes, reduce greenhouse gases and pay for itself over 20 years.

This sounds wonderful, but where do they get these facts?

Where is the report that details these promises?

Where is the report that details the cost of construction, annual maintenance and life expectancy of the turbine.

Is this project really about council spending our money wisely or is it an attempt to make a 100-metre statement about being “Green?”

Where is the due diligence? I fear that it is not just birds and bats that are going to take a hit.

J.C. Rayner
Saskatoon


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/11/30/show-the-reports/