National Wind Watch: Wind Energy News » West Perth an unwilling host to turbines

Add West Perth to the growing list of Ontario municipalities who are declaring themselves unwilling hosts to industrial wind turbines.

At council’s April 22 meeting there was little discussion as clerk Florence Stalenhoef reviewed the motion and council voted in favour of it.

Similar to the motions made by other municipalities, West Perth’s declaration hinges on comments from Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. Facing the increasing backlash from rural municipalities over the Green Energy Act, Wynne said the province would bring in more local involvement and that any green energy projects would depend on the local population being willing hosts.

The comments have spurred several rural municipalities to declare themselves unwilling hosts to wind turbines. As of press time, the list of unwilling hosts includes Huron East, Saugeen Shores, Wainfleet, Grey Highlands, Enniskillen Township, Prince Edward County and Georgian Bluffs.

After the motion passed, Coun. Barb MacLean asked how the municipality should announce its decision.

Stalenhoef said the motion will be sent to the Ontario premier, as well as the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

West Perth is supporting a resolution out of Kincardine asking that the definition of a highway-approved off-road vehicle be expanded.

Kincardine’s motion asks the Ministry of Transportation to include side-by-side off-road vehicles, four-seat side-by-side vehicles and two-up all-terrain vehicles as off-road vehicles.

The changes would mean that the above vehicles could be driven on highways under the same conditions as all-terrain vehicles.

Coun. Larry Wight strongly supported the motion.

“Before they were uncommon,” he said about the side-by-side vehicles. “Now there are more on the road and there’s nothing that states they can be on the road.”

Mayor Walter McKenzie and CAO Will Jaques noted that the vehicles are popular with cottagers and hunters.

West Perth council passed a motion supporting Kincardine’s resolution.