September 17, 2014
Ontario

Offshore turbines concern Lake Huron coastal conservationist

By Bob Montgomery on September 17, 2014 | blackburnnews.com

The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation is concerned with the province’s renewed interest in off-shore wind farms.

There’s been a moratorium on off-shore wind turbines for several years, but the province recently re-opened the discussion.

Coastal Resources Manager Geoff Peach points out there are serious engineering challenges in putting turbines in deep water and fastening them to the lake bottom. They would have to withstand extreme wind and wave conditions, and shifting ice in the winter.

Peach adds there are serious environmental issues if any of the turbines break down because of the petroleum products inside the turbines that could leak into the water.

Peach also points out when the transmission lines are brought on-shore, that will create more disruption to what in many cases is a sensitive shoreline eco-system.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/09/17/offshore-turbines-concern-lake-huron-coastal-conservationist/