by John Divinski | Bayshore Broadcasting | October 10, 2013 | www.bayshorebroadcasting.ca
(Kincardine) – The Armow Wind Project has been approved by the province.
Kincardine councillors found out about it, just before Wednesday’s meeting and some are not happy.
Samsung Renewable Energy and Pattern Renewable Holdings, developers of the Armow Wind Project, got the green light late Wednesday afternoon from the Ontario Environment ministry.
The approval allows the project to consist of 92 industrial turbines which is a reduction from the 98 they had planned.
Mayor Larry Kraemer says personally, he’s not really for or against the turbines but he knows there will be controversy over the provincial decision but realistically, it wasn’t unexpected.
Kraemer says the municipality will now work closely with the Armow people to make sure Kincardine’s wind development policies are adhered to and that both sides honour the spirit of the agreement.
Kincardine councillor Jacqueline Faubert was not so diplomatic in her reaction calling it a sad day that has left her depressed and angry.
Faubert says the provincial government defends its billion-dollar move of two gas-fired electricity plants because they didn’t want to put them in a community that would not welcome them.
Yet Kincardine and Bruce County have declared themselves unwilling hosts to industrial turbines but the developments continue.
There’s been no comment from the wind farm developer but last August the company indicated that if approval came in the Fall, they’d like to start construction of the turbines next year.
Under terms of the approval, Armow has three-years to construct the turbines, many of which will be located near the Kincardine Airport, which has created controversy in the past.