A bully on the wind
The Chronicle Journal | May 9, 2013 | www.chroniclejournal.com
Horizon Wind Inc., has overpowered another opponent to build wind turbines on the Nor’Wester Mountains (Wind Farm Application ‘Complete’ – CJ, April 25). The Ministry of Environment appears to have been bullied to post for public consultation Horizon’s plan, however flawed, when most everyone agrees it is not located in an appropriate place.
I say “bullied” because this latest tactic comes just three months after Horizon launched a legal challenge against the MOE (our provincial watchdog) – a challenge which government leaders either don’t have the courage or the interest to fight.
Horizon claimed the Fort William First Nation would not agree to consult on the turbine development. Yet FWFN consistently told Horizon no wind turbines in the Loch Lomond watershed because industrial development would damage the watershed of their traditional lands (FWFN BCR Oct. 19, 2011).
Neebing Municipal Council endorsed the FWFN opposition with its resolution: “Neebing does not support the Horizon Wind project . . . and wishes to protect the Loch Lomond watershed area.” (Neebing council, March 7, 2012).
This is the same Horizon Wind that sued our city for $126 million to exploit negligence by previous city councils, and despite persistent opposition from a clear-headed new mayor.
MPP Bill Mauro hasn’t offered much help citing the fear of another lawsuit. “Too little, too late,” he said of community opposition to Horizon’s scheme. Who was Mauro elected to represent – local taxpayers or bullies who want to exploit irreplaceable natural resources?
It’s now up to Premier Kathleen Wynne to show that bully tactics are unacceptable and Horizon’s proposal for wind turbines on the Nor’Westers will not be approved.
Lorne Lacey
Thunder Bay
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/05/09/a-bully-on-the-wind/