June 21, 2012
Ontario

Meaford prepares for wind farms

by James Greensmith | www.bayshorebroadcasting.ca 20 June 2012

Meaford wants to make sure all of their bases are covered in the event the municipality ever becomes home to a wind turbine development.

Deputy Mayor Harley Greenfield tabled a resolution at last week’s Council meeting – calling for staff to explore ways to financially benefit from a potential wind farm development.

Greenfield says that could include avenues such as building permits or industrial tax rates.

He notes no amount of remuneration could ever make up for the loss of quality of life nearby residents of a windfarm would surely experience, but it could soften the blow.

Greenfield says the Green Energy Act ensures municipalities have almost no say in whether they host windfarms, so the choice won’t be Meaford’s at the end of the day.

He tells Bayshore Broadcasting News that staff have also been instructed to obtain a legal opinion on new setback guidelines.

Greenfield explains they want to know if creating a municipal by-law calling for a two kilometre setback from a residence could be enforceable, despite the GEA setback of just 550 metres.

However, Greenfield is adamant that even after they explore all financial and legal avenues – Meaford will still not be in favour of wind development.

In fact, he plans to table a resolution next Monday to make that point very clear.

Greenfield adds that resolution won’t overrule the Green Energy Act – but it will let residents know exactly where council stands on the wind turbine issue.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/06/21/meaford-prepares-for-wind-farms/