Wind energy opponents protest at Suncor
Credit: Protesters oppose plans for more wind turbines in Lambton County | By Paul Morden, Sarnia Observer | Monday, November 3, 2014 | www.theobserver.ca ~~
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Opponents of Suncor Energy’s plan to build 46 wind turbines in Lambton County held signs outside gates of the company’s Sarnia refinery Monday afternoon, and offered flyers to workers as they finished their shifts.
Suncor recently received provincial environmental approval to build its Cedar Point wind energy project in Plympton-Wyoming, Lambton Shores and Warwick Township.
“We were here last Thursday, doing the exact same thing,” said Ed Vanderaa, a Plympton-Wyoming resident who organized the protest.
He said he is trying to talk to Suncor officials about the Cedar Point project, and concerns residents have.
In particular, Vanderaa said he wants to speak to the plant’s joint health and safety committee.
“There are employees who work in this facility who are concerned about industrial wind turbines being built in their backyards,” he said.
Vanderaa said he spoke with a Suncor official at last week’s protest and asked to speak to the committee.
“She listened to that request and said it couldn’t be done,” he said.
He said he gave her one of the flyers the protesters are handing out, along with a DVD copy of the wind energy documentary Down Wind.
“I don’t know what’s she’s going to do with them, but I hope she gives it to the joint health and safety committee.”
Vanderaa said he also asked that the message be passed along to Suncor’s head office, along with a request that the company not begin construction on the Cedar Point project while appeals are being heard.
Ontario’s approval of the project is subject to an appeal before the province’s Environmental Review Tribunal. It’s scheduled to begin hearings this month.
Other court action against wind turbine projects in Ontario is also expected, he added.
“Do not do any construction in Plympton-Wyoming until we get the final verdict,” Vanderaa said.
“She said she’d pass it on.”
Vanderaa said he and other opponents of wind energy in Lambton aren’t giving up.
“We’ll just keep on. I need an answer from these people.”
Suncor spokesperson Jason Vaillant said the company was aware of Monday’s protest.
“It’s something we’re monitoring closely,” he said.
“We respect their right to voice their opinions, and we just want to make sure we monitor, from a safety perspective, just to ensure their safety, as well as that of our employees and contractors.”
Vaillant said the company hasn’t started work on the wind project.
“We’re still looking to finalize the construction schedule,” he said.
“We know we are going to be going in front of the environmental review tribunal later this month, and that’s a focus of ours, right now, to prepare for that.”
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