November 17, 2012
Ontario

Wind turbine application made official; West Lincoln gets 90-day review and comment period

Amanda Moore | Nov 16, 2012 | www.niagarathisweek.com

The township of West Lincoln have a minimum of 90 days to review and comment on the 230 megawatt industrial wind turbine project proposed by Niagara Region Wind Corp.

Planning director Brian Treble informed council Monday that he had received the renewable energy application submitted to the province by NRWC for review on Nov. 5. Delivery of the document means the township has a minimum of 90 days to review it and make comments.

“This is what starts the 90-day consultation period prior to the second open house,” said Treble, noting he has not heard a specific date for the second public consultation meeting, mandated under the Green Energy Act. The submission, said Treble, is eight, packed binders and could take more than the mandated 90 days for the independent consultant sought by the township to review the submission.

Planning chair Sue Ellen Merritt shared that fear.

“Eight binders, 90 days, that’s not enough time,” said Merritt, who was concerned the consultant may miss something while rushing to meet the deadline.

The peer review will be done at the expense of NRWC, said Treble in response to a question from Ald. Joanne Chechlk, noting the township has already received a deposit from them to cover the costs.

The question Treble didn’t have an answer for was one council was most interested in – if the recent proroguing of legislature has any impact on turbine applications. Merritt said decisions on applications before the ministry should be held off until the Liberals realign themselves. With many ministers vying for the leadership position after Dalton McGuinty announced his resignation as premier last month, Merritt said major decisions like those around wind turbines should be put on hold.

Ald. Joanne Chechalk agreed and noted she will have a resolution at the next council meeting seeking permission to supply all leadership hopefuls with the resolutions passed by council in relation to the issue. She said she encourages community members to contact them as well.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/11/17/wind-turbine-application-made-official-west-lincoln-gets-90-day-review-and-comment-period/