November 11, 2017
Ontario

Municipal review finds information lacking in wind farm proposal

Vicki Gough, Special to Postmedia Network | St. Thomas Times-Journal

The Strong Breeze Wind Project plan in Dutton-Dunwich is rife with gaps and deficiencies according to a Toronto-based engineering company.

That and more was detailed in a report made by Morrison Hershfield Ltd. for Dutton-Dunwich council. The engineering report found problems in the draft Renewable Energy Approval (REA) documents to construct a wind farm in Dutton Dunwich.

The municipality retained Morrison Hershfield to evaluate the Strong Breeze Wind Project draft report prepared by Stantec Consulting Ltd. for Invenergy.

There is information lacking in that same draft REA submission, according to the Morrison Hershfield report.

That includes inconsistencies between the rated capacity of the two types of turbine models; not enough information on underground electrical line routes; impacts to municipal infrastructure; height of aerial electrical lines; and the anticipated span between support posts.

The report also blasts Invenergy’s methodology, stating “the assessment appears to have been undertaken as a desktop exercise only.”

The municipal study procured by Invenergy stated the company would return the land to preexisting condition or better. But turbine and transformer foundations will only be removed to a depth of approximately one metre despite deeper foundations.

According to the review the REA submission lacks sufficient archaeological, cultural, and natural heritage assessments.

No detailed review was found in the documents for potential impacts the project may have on potable water sources.

Council will include the findings in its municipal consultation form as part of the 90-day municipal review process, as set out in provincial regulations for wind farm proposals.

Over 80 per cent of Dutton-Dunwich property owners have voted against wind farms within their community.

Invenergy wants to construct up to 20 wind turbines in Dutton-Dunwich.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2017/11/11/municipal-review-finds-information-lacking-in-wind-farm-proposal/