November 11, 2015
Ontario

Clearview to study economic impact of wind turbines to airport

By Ian Adams | Wasaga Sun | November 10, 2015 | www.simcoe.com

Clearview Township will be doing its own review of how a proposed wind turbine project could affect the regional airport.

At its Nov. 9 meeting, council voted in favour of hiring consultants Malone Givens Parson to undertake an economic impact analysis of the project proposed by WPD Canada. The analysis would consider the affect of the project on both the Collingwood Regional Airport, as well as the proposed Clearview Aviation Commerce Centre slated for the neighbouring property.

WPD is proposing to construct eight 500-foot-tall wind turbines in an area north and south of County Road 91. Four of the turbines are considered within close proximity of the airport.

The company will be going to court on Dec. 18 to an effort to have the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change to make a decision on its renewable energy application for the Fairview Wind project. The application was accepted as complete by the MOECC in December 2013 but WPD is still waiting on approval.

At the same time, the ministry had asked the company to conduct an economic impact analysis by Nov. 9 to determine the effect the proposed wind project would have on the airport.

WPD officials have previously stated the company’s analysis shows both the airport and the wind project could “co-exist.”

Transport Canada has advised MOECC the wind turbines would “likely” have an operational impact on both the Collingwood airport, and the nearby aerodrome owned by township councillor Kevin Elwood.

The township’s lawyer will be attempting to gain intervener status at the hearing between WPD and the province. Municipal officials expect the hearing will be remanded to another date should the court honour the township’s request.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/11/11/clearview-to-study-economic-impact-of-wind-turbines-to-airport/