June 14, 2013
Ontario

Clearview unwilling to host Wpd, Skyway

By Michael Gennings | Stayner Sun | www.simcoe.com

Clearview Township council passed a motion Monday, June 10 that says it’s unwilling to host the Wpd Canada wind turbine proposal or the Skyway 124 proposal.

The motion was passed 8-1, with Deputy Mayor Alicia Savage the lone opponent, as she supports renewable energy proposals.

The motion will now be forwarded to the province, which has approval authority over green energy projects.

Councillor Thom Paterson initially introduced a motion stating the township would be unwilling to host any wind turbine projects but the statement was changed.

That was because Councillor Shawn Davidson introduced an amendment, seconded by the deputy mayor, stating the township was opposed to only the Wpd Canada and Skyway projects – the only two known wind farm applications in Clearview.

Davidson said it was better to take a position on the two applications that currently apply to Clearview and in the future, if there are other proposals for the municipality, review them individually and determine a position.

Council debated the amendment, which Paterson could not support because it changed the overall intent of his motion.

A packed gallery watched the discussion and at one point booed Davidson, who asked that people listen to his point of view. Davidson said he’d reviewed several e-mails from people against wind farms.

Davidson’s amendment was approved 7-2, with Paterson and Councillor Brent Preston voting against it.

The motion singling out Wpd and Skyway included a friendly amendment from Preston that states the township is not against future renewable energy proposals.

The idea is that council will consider the suitability of each individual project and then take a position.

This is not the first time that council has taken a position on wind turbines. Last year it said it was against the Wpd proposal.

Earlier in the evening council approved a new protocol for future green energy projects. It will outline how the municipality will review and evaluate proposals.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/06/14/clearview-unwilling-to-host-wpd-skyway/