October 2, 2020
Ontario

Shut it down

Letters to the editor, Oct. 2, 2020 | Cornwall Standard-Freeholder | October 1, 2020 | www.standard-freeholder.com

An open letter to the Ontario government:

I am a resident of Crysler.

My new view from my bedroom window is of one of the Nation Rise Wind Farm turbines. Can any of you honestly say this is OK?

Who will guarantee that our health is not in jeopardy? Who will guarantee our well water will not be affected? Who will guarantee we won’t hear the swooshing of those enormous blades or be affected by infrasound? Who will guarantee our wildlife, including the little brown bats and the Canadian geese and snow geese that land in these fields twice a year won’t be slaughtered?

Who will step up and guarantee our quality of life won’t be changed by this? Who can give me that assurance in writing?

Our ability to enjoy our home in peace has already been interrupted by noise from machinery, trucks and the construction groups working at all hours around our house for two years.

I did not consent to this. We did not consent to being tested upon. We are not willing test subjects.

How many petitions do you need? How many signatures do you need? How many emails, letters, and phone calls are needed for someone to do the right thing?

If these industrial turbines are allowed to become operational – be prepared to be overwhelmed by phone calls, emails, petitions, and letters. Someone will have to be held accountable for not doing the right thing when there was an opportunity to do so and cancelling this project.

Minister Rickford’s report to the Independent Electricity System Operator states:

“Versions 4 and 5 of the FIT contract and the LRP form of contract provides the IESO with the right to terminate for convenience at any time prior to the facility achieving commercial operation.”

It is known that:

• The IESO recently cancelled the energy contract for a solar farm that did not meet its COD timeline and was confirmed at appeal, thereby setting precedence.
• A second precedent was set by the shutdown of White Pines Industrial Wind. They are currently dismantling.
• Any allowance for force majeure has been greatly exceeded. Any difficulty that EDPR may be having obtaining services from high-lift crane contractors and others, due to factors such as non-payment for contracted services or other matters within their control is not a justification to extend this government’s contracted COD.

The Nation Rise Wind Project can be cancelled. The proponent has not met the Commercial Operation Date. There are presently only six of the 29 turbines erected. We know this would save the government and all residents of Ontario $1.875 million a month for the lifetime of the project.

You are aware the prototype turbine is too big, too close and too clustered. People will be harmed.  Proceeding with the project is negligent on the part of the Ontario government.

To deny your ability and responsibility to cancel this project for the constituents living in this area, you are telling us we are not worthy of being treated with respect— but we are not lab rats. We are people and people have the ability and responsibility to vote.

So dear people, I respectfully request you treat us like people too. We are worthy to be protected from harm and this is your responsibility.

MaDonna Gaudin

Crysler

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2020/10/02/shut-it-down/

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