November 29, 2013
Ontario

No more wind turbines, county tells province

By Bill Tremblay | Orangeville Banner | www.bramptonguardian.com

Wind farm developers should look elsewhere than Dufferin, according to a motion passed by county council.

On Nov. 14, council approved a motion declaring Dufferin County as an unwilling host for any future industrial wind farm development.

Although the Green Energy Act prohibits municipal councils from actually denying wind farms from setting up, Melancthon Mayor Bill Hill said the motion aims to dissuade such development.

“It will send a message that Dufferin County is tired of the Green Energy Act,” Hill said, who moved the motion.

Amaranth, Melancthon, Mulmur and Grand Valley have all approved similar motions announcing their request that wind farm developers find another home.

Hill said more than 90 municipalities have approved similar motions.

“We’re one of many. We may be the first county that’s done it and we don’t mind being leaders,” Hill said.

Will the motion hold any weight at Queen’s Park?

“Based on what I’ve seen so far, regarding the province and the Green Energy Act, no,” Hill said. “But at least they should get the message that we’re serious about what we’re saying.”

The unwilling host motion follows the county asking Premier Kathleen Wynne to cancel all contracts with wind power generators that are not connected to Ontario’s power grid.

The motion is inspired by the province’s cancelation of two power plants in the GTA, which cost about $1.1 billion. As well, when supply exceeds demand, wind farm operators will be paid a reduced rate to cease generating power as of Sept. 11.

According to the Ministry of Energy, paying wind farm operators to not generate electricity will save Ontario at least $200 million every year.

Currently, wind power generates about 2,100 megawatts of electricity province-wide. However, that number will nearly triple when all wind projects connect to the grid.

“They have to make some changes,” Hill said. “They have to listen to the people.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/11/29/no-more-wind-turbines-county-tells-province/