December 11, 2011
Ontario

Opponents raise red flags about Ontario energy plan

ottawa.ctv.ca 9 December 2011

When Robbie Giles learned of plans to build two 650-foot windmill turbines near his house, he decided to find out what his new neighbours were going to be like.

Giles went to a wind farm south of Kingston and discovered he would likely be aware of the green energy makers all the time.

“It’s a constant throb. It’s not noisy but it is constant,” said Giles.

The plans call for 14 giant wind turbines to add to the skyline over fields near Spencerville.

Bruce Albers is one area resident against the project and has found an informal ally in Ontario’s auditor general.

The AG, Jim McCarter, says the province is paying too much and trying to move the project along too quickly. McCarter suggest rushing the green energy plan could cost more jobs than it would create.

“Adding a 650-foot wind turbine 550 metres from someone’s home may not be the most beneficial way to make a more friendly environment,” said Albers.

Environmental groups like Friends of the Earth say the Green Energy Act needs improvement; but they question the resources the auditor general used.

“Some of his material that he’s referring to are reports that are funded by big oil, by Exxon for example so I think there are some questionable parts of the work that he’s put forward,” said Beatrice Olivastri of Friends of the Earth.

Wind turbines are a special concern for residents who will be living near the turbines, especially since it has been blamed for everything from ringing of the ears to heart problems.

With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Norman Fetterley


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/11/opponents-raise-red-flags-about-ontario-energy-plan/