March 17, 2012
Ontario

Turbine town hall draws just under 300

The Stratford Citizen, www.citizennews.ca 16 March 2012

Nearly 300 people turned out to a public town hall meeting to discuss energy policy and the proliferation of industrial wind turbines. Held Wednesday at the Elma Memorial Community Centre in Atwood, the meeting attracted concerned citizens from communities across Perth-Wellington.

“When it comes to wind turbines, my constituents want to be heard,” said Pettapiece after the meeting. “They believe the McGuinty government hasn’t listened to them, and I believe they’re right.”

Pettapiece spoke at the meeting, along with a panel including opposition energy critics Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing, and Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce. Also on the panel was Warren Howard, representing Wind Concerns Ontario, and Brent Royce, President of the Perth County Federation of Agriculture.

After their remarks, audience members voiced questions and comments on a wide range of topics. Issues included the so-called Global Adjustment fees, the impact of smart meters, wind turbines’ health effects, loss of prime agricultural land, and the government’s consultation process, which was described as a sham.

Saint Columban resident Tom Melady was one of many in the audience who spoke out passionately against the McGuinty government’s energy policy: “With wind turbines, everyone loses,” Melady said.

Underlining many of the questions was a sense that the Liberal government’s energy policy is disrespectful toward rural communities, something Pettapiece agreed with.

The MPP plans to bring the expressed views of his constituents to Queen’s Park and will continue to present petitions available on his website, www.pettapiece.ca. He also intends to write a comprehensive letter to the Premier outlining the concerns raised at the town hall meeting.

Energy minister Chris Bentley was invited to the meeting but declined to attend or send a representative. Pettapiece also invited the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA), but its spokesperson did not respond.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/03/17/turbine-town-hall-draws-just-under-300/