April 10, 2013
Ontario

Community groups organize “Town Hall” on Wind Turbine Impact – April 25

April 10, 2013 | countylive.caApril 10, 2013 | countylive.ca

Community groups in Prince Edward County have booked the 450-seat Regent Theatre in Picton for a “Town Hall” meeting on April 25th to discuss ”The Real Impact of Wind Turbines on The County”.

The County Coalition for Safe and Appropriate Green Energy (CCSAGE) has organized this event in response to increased public concern about the looming infiltration of wind energy projects in the County, beginning with a recently-approved nine-turbine project at Ostrander Point, an internationally-recognized Important Bird Area. Two groups are fighting that project at a costly and tedious Environmental Review Tribunal. Meanwhile other County wind energy projects are in various stages of planning or development.

CCSAGE is a coalition of business and citizen groups. It says current legislation allows turbines too close to residences for safe human habitation, and also endangers wildlife, including migratory birds. It has demanded that large-scale wind turbines be prohibited within 2km of existing or future home sites and that they should be at least 10km from internationally-recognized Important Bird Areas. However, the Provincial Government disagrees. Premier Kathleen Wynne has acknowledged that her government’s process for approving existing projects has been faulty. She has said that future projects should be allowed only in communities that would be “willing hosts”, but has shown no indication that her new policy is being implemented. Consequently, more than 100 County residents endured cold winds in Belleville on April 3rd to voice their outrage to Wynne when she was there for another meeting.

Organizers expect to fill the Regent Theatre with concerned citizens attracted by very knowledgeable speakers on turbine-related issues. There will be presentations by an all-star cast, with Steve Campbell – author, humourist and secessionist – as Master of Ceremonies.

Eric Gillespie, legal counsel for PECFN and APPEC, will update us about the prospects for success of the Ostrander Point appeal.

Cheryl Anderson from PECFN will talk about the natural environment phase of the Ostrander Point Appeal.

Dr. Robert McMurtry, lead medical expert for APPEC, will comment on the human health phase of the Gilead Appeal.

Garth Manning, lawyer and Chair of CCSAGE, will provide some information about effects on residential property values.

Carlyn Moulton, owner of Oeno Gallery, will address the threats to tourism and our local economy from large-scale wind energy development.

Gary Mooney from CCSAGE will provide an overview of all of the wind projects announced for locations throughout the County.

Alan Whiteley, lawyer, will describe a possible class action relating to damages caused by wind turbine construction.

Following the presentations, there will be ample opportunity to ask questions of the speakers. Then there will be an intermission and afterwards, for those who haven’t seen it, a showing of the documentary Wind Rush, originally aired in February on the CBC’s Doc Zone program.

“People want to know what will happen to their health, their livelihood, their property values and their quiet enjoyment of tranquil County spaces when the turbines arrive,” said Garth Manning, CCSAGE Chair. “We have put together a program that will help everyone understand the real impact of turbines on Nature, and on this beautiful place where we live,” he said.

Doors open at 6 PM. Admission is free. Attendees will be encouraged to give generously, by cash or cheque, in support of legal ERT appeals by APPEC and PECFN, to acquire T-shirts or lawn signs, and to make small cash donations to CCSAGE in support of this event.
For recent developments please visit CCSAGE at www.ccsage.wordpress.com

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/04/10/community-groups-organize-town-hall-on-wind-turbine-impact-april-25/