Wind Power News: Ontario
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Blinds
An open letter to the Ontario government: I write to you to share my concerns on the neglect people living in industrial wind turbine projects are experiencing. No government at any level seems to care. You all hide behind “the contracts.” Pieces of paper. You would rather honour contracts signed with the big businesses of industrial wind than caring for the lives that matter. We signed unwilling host petitions before those contracts were signed. Why do our pieces of paper . . . Complete story »
Leanna Brodie continues work on wind turbine-centric play
When she started tackling a play about the strife caused by wind turbines in rural communities, accomplished playwright Leanna Brodie signed on for some intense situations. From interviews to the writing process to inner turmoil caused by the research to even losing a life-long friend because of the play, she says the entire experience has been dramatically different from her previous experiences. Before tackling the research for the play, which included interviewing people in Huron County, Brodie had a strong . . . Complete story »
To protect bats, Nation Rise turbines to be idled at night during low-wind conditions in warm season
NORTH STORMONT – The Community Liaison Committee met over Zoom on Wednesday, February 24th to update the public about work on the Nation Rise Windfarm being constructed in and around Berwick, Crysler, and Finch. Present were Community Liaison Members Councillor Steve Densham representing the Township of North Stormont, Chair of the CLC Gabriel Constantin, Treasurer of the Berwick Recreational Committee Amy Sanders-Michaud, Superintendant of North Stormont Public Works Blake Henderson, and Landowner Judy Tessier. They were joined by team members from . . . Complete story »
Nation Rise Wind Farm nearing completion
To mitigate the noise and sight problems of the 131-metre-tall turbines, the company agreed to offer $150,000 to homeowners within a 1.5-kilometre radius of the wind farm for home improvements. The homeowners can collect a maximum of $5,000 from the fund, although depending on the number of applications, they may receive less. To receive the full $5,000, the owners must spend $10,000, as the fund can only cover 33 per cent of the project costs. Applications for the fund will be open for one year after the turbines are operational, and can be found on the Nation Rise website. Wilson says there are about 820 homes within the radius, and many of them may lose value. Complete story »
Ontario lobby group clamouring for modern turbine noise regulations
NORTH GOWER – With the Nation Rise Wind Farm gearing up again after lengthy delays caused by ministerial intervention and COVID-19, an anti-turbine side effects lobby group says it’s time to update the provincial position on potential health difficulties arising from proximity of the industrial towers. Despite provincial pledges to the contrary, Wind Concerns Ontario maintains nothing has been done over the past dozen years to examine developing wind power research relating to health around the world and to respond accordingly. . . . Complete story »
High winds topple Hamilton Beach Strip wind turbine
High winds toppled a three-storey-high turbine at the west end of Confederation Park – just two months after the tower was reinstalled by the city after an earlier safety scare. No one was injured when the red tower – one of three along the beach strip – came crashing down Sunday at the park gateway on Van Wagners Beach Road near Beach Boulevard. But some residents are now questioning the safety of the towering art installations given the city previously took down the . . . Complete story »
Water well investigation finally moving forward
The provincial government is getting proactive more than a year after it made an announcement to test the water quality of privately owned wells in North Kent, but one affected resident wants to see more community involvement. On Thursday, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton announced the government established a panel of five individual experts, appointed by the Minister of Health, to lead a water well investigation following long-time concerns from residents that their water is contaminated with Kettle Point black shale. . . . Complete story »
Province to begin testing water wells in North Kent; COVID-19 prevented previous investigation from getting off the ground
A promise made by Doug Ford in May 2018, shortly before being elected premier, to conduct a health hazard investigation over concerns about private water wells in the North Kent Wind farm area, is about to get underway. “I’m proud to say that testing is going to begin within the next number of days,” Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton told the Chatham Daily News Thursday in announcing the Ontario government has established a panel of five . . . Complete story »
Mixed messages
An open letter: On Jan. 12, the Government of Ontario declared a state of emergency to address issues of the COVID-19 pandemic. Premier Doug Ford stated the government is following the advice of the chief medical officer of health for the province, Dr. David Williams. In North Stormont, the Nation Rise Wind project, comprising 29 3.44-megawatt Enercon wind turbines, is being constructed and it is anticipated they will become operational soon. People in our community and beyond believe the Province of . . . Complete story »
Ontario town reignites opposition to wind farm after court overturns cancellation
Residents of an Ontario town still want the government to know they don’t want a wind farm after a court decision overturned a previous project’s cancellation. The community of North Stormont, Ont. has repeatedly asserted its unwillingness to host the Nation Rise Wind Farm, despite the previous Liberal government’s attempts. The project was cancelled in 2019 by Ontario Progressive Conservative Environment Minister Jeff Yurek due to concerns for local bat species, however this decision was reversed by the Ontario Superior . . . Complete story »
