September 13, 2012
Ontario

Lakeshore approves $350M wind farm

CBC News | www.cbc.ca 12 September 2012

Lakeshore town council has approved a $350-million wind turbine project.

International Power Canada plans to build 40 turbines on land between Highway 401 and County Road 42, outside Belle River.

Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain said the company stills need the approval of the Ontario Power Authority before moving ahead.

“The municipality really has little to say, other than we can say we’re in agreement, and this means two points towards their winning their application to get in the grid,” Bain said.

Bain said council also approved five separate solar panel projects.

Council also supports the installation of rooftop solar panels on three public schools – Belle River elementary, Belle River High school and Lakeshore Discovery.

LaSalle group hires lawyer

Meanwhile, in LaSalle, LaSalle council said it wishes there was something it could do to help a group of citizens fighting to prevent wind turbines from being erected in town.

Members of the group LaSalle Residents Against Industrial Wind Turbines appeared at last Tuesday’s council meeting. Council told the group its hands are tied because the province controls such projects.

The group has hired a Toronto environment lawyer. Don Petrozzi is one of the homeowners leading the fight against turbines in LaSalle.

“There is no giving up for those people who have brought the lawyers. There’s the first step, and it’s been done. Then there’ll be a second step, and then there’ll be a possible third step. It is moving forward,” Petrozzi said. “I think there’s an opportunity legally to place an injunction against this project.”

The proposal would see two wind turbines installed on farmland behind Villanova High School.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/09/13/lakeshore-approves-350m-wind-farm/