January 14, 2015
Ontario

Clearview Township, WPD clash at Ontario Energy Board

By Ian Adams | Wasaga Sun | January 13, 2015 | www.simcoe.com

CLEARVIEW Twp. – Municipal officials are exploring one more avenue in an effort to fend off a proposed wind turbine project.

On Monday night, Clearview Township councillors were given an update on the township’s position to the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) on WPD Canada’s proposed Fairview project, and an application to the OEB that would allow the company to establish the location of a collector line within the Fairgrounds Road allowance.

Council’s discussion was held behind closed doors.

WPD’s plans would see eight turbines erected north of County Rd. 91; at least two would be situated within a two-kilometre radius of the Collingwood Regional Airport, which airport officials have stated could create a significant safety hazard for pilots.

The proponents of a 260-acre industrial development proposal beside the airport have also presented their concerns about WPD’s plans to Queen’s Park.

WPD has refuted concerns about the impact of the towers on the operation of the airport, stating its experts have determined only three per cent of the 12,000 or move aircraft movements at the facility would be affected by the location of the turbines.

In December, in a submission to the OEB on WPD’s application, municipal officials argued the board should not approve WPD’s application without a Renewable Energy Approval (REA) for Fairview.

The municipality has also argued the company has not undertaken an appropriate consultation process with the community.

The company’s REA – which is going through the province’s environmental review process – is still under consideration by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

In a response to the OEB from WPD, sent two days before Christmas, company officials countered the municipality had “submitted late and improper evidence that form the basis of its closing submissions in complete disregard for the process.”

WPD also informed the board in its Dec. 23 response that township officials have been “completely obstructive … refusing to meet with the applicant on multiple occasions.”

It’s on that basis that WPD is asking the board issue an order to allow it to establish the location of a collector line.

The township has disputed WPD’s most recent comments to the OEB, based on correspondence posted to the OEB’s website.

Clearview’s CAO Stephen Sage declined to offer comment.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/01/14/clearview-township-wpd-clash-at-ontario-energy-board/