MIDDLESEX-LAMBTON WIND ACTION

Citizens opposed to Aggressive Wind Turbine Development

Our goal is to educate residents of Middlesex and Lambton Counties on the aggressive tactics of wind developers & on the detriments that are known to be caused by wind turbines.  Please visit Ontario Wind Resistance for updates & research– it is packed with very useful information provided by very helpful individuals.

Contact the Middlesex Wind Action Group: windactiongroup@gmail.com

“Our goals should not be blind opposition to progress but rather opposition to blind progress.” –John Muir–

Zephyr Wind development trudges along – quick & dirty

The giant crane arrive 2 days ago, and the truck was promptly stuck when it couldn’t make the turn off Churchill Line to Ebenezer. Churchill Line was closed that afternoon.  Dump loads of gravel upon mud should do the trick…. Sure hope there is a road agreement with the township on this.

As for the tower parts in the pictures below, yes those are tiny people beside them.

Map of some of Lambton/Middlesex’s wind turbine proposals

Turbines going up “a risk,” says Wind Action lawyer

By Heather Wright Sarnia This Week Jan 22, 2012

WATFORD – As the Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal hears arguments against a wind turbine development near Watford, the project is moving ahead.

Green Breeze Energy’s four turbine 10 megawatt project worth about $22 million is under construction now with the concrete forms already poured and the turbines waiting in Windsor to be installed.

But the Middlesex-Lambton Wind Action Group filed an appeal of the project.

WAG’s lawyer, Eric Gillespie, says the main focus of the hearing will be the “numerous indirect health effects associated with wind turbines such as sleep disturbance, vertigo, nausea, headaches.”

Gillespie and lawyers for the province are waiting to hear the results of the province’s latest attempt to have the appeal dismissed. The tribunal is likely to release its decision this week. If the hearing moves ahead, arguments will begin in Alvinston Feb. 21.

But there is no requirement to stop work until the hearing is complete.

“You will probably see irreparable harm arguments made on other projects around the area of construction but given that the Middlesex Lambton Wind Action’s claim is based on health and that the health impacts don’t appear to be likely to be triggered until operation begins, we’re still in that phase,” Gillespie says.

“At the same time the company is clearly on notice they’re building completely at their own risk because if the appeal is successful those turbines will likely have to be removed.”

Gillespie says if the hearing continues long enough and Green Energy starts up the wind turbines, the wind action group may try to stop it.

“That is an option. At this point, no decision has been made either way,” says Gillespie. “We have indicated to the tribunal that we may make that motion so it is on everyone’s radar.”

OFA calls for a MORATORIUM!!!

Ed. -What a difference a day can make!!

Farm group calls for turbine halt

By John Miner, The London Free Press  January 20

In a major blow to the McGuinty government’s controversial green energy plan, the largest farm lobby group in the province has pulled the plug on its support for wind turbines.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture, which represents 37,000 farm families, issued a call Friday for the province to suspend wind turbine development.

OFA President Mark Wales said industrial wind turbines have split rural communities, pitting neighbour against neighbour.

“The situation is untenable,” Wales said. “It is taking away from what farmers do best and that is grow food and create jobs.”

“We need to slow this down and put some calm out there and then government needs to resolve the issues.”

Wales said technical solutions also need to be found before further development, such as how to store the energy from wind turbines when it is being produced but isn’t needed.

Selling such energy to other jurisdictions at a loss just isn’t good economics, he said.

Wales also said health concerns need to be addressed.

With hundreds of the giant turbines under construction, the Ontario government has come under intense criticism from rural groups for taking planning control away from rural municipalities.

Several Liberal MPPs, including former Agriculture Minister Carol Mitchell, were defeated in rural areas where turbines were being installed, helping to push the Liberals into a minority government position.

After the election, Premier Dalton McGuinty shifted veteran London Cabinet minister Chris Bentley into the politically hot energy portfolio.

E-mail john.miner@sunmedia.ca, or follow JohnatLFPress on Twitter

OFA has little ability to protect health around Turbines

By Dan Reid January 15, 2012 The Sun Times

I am not a farmer, nor am I a member of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). For some, those two facts will negate any credibility that I have to offer an opinion on the organization. I accept that. However, before jumping to conclusions, let me assure you this editorial is not a public rant about the value of the organization or a call for it to be dismantled. Rather, it focuses only on their activity with respect to industrial wind projects.

In that regard, in spite of claims to the contrary, I would submit that the OFA has demonstrated no particular aptitude for protecting the health of rural Ontario. That would specifically apply to their membership, largely comprised of those who have opted to host wind turbines on their property. However, by extension it could also apply to rural Ontarians at large.

The predicament that the OFA is in may be attributable to a rather limited understanding of some of the key issues that actually impact the health and well being of those in proximity to turbines. In view of this, they are not blameless for their situation. But, by the same token, they are not entirely at fault. The rules established by the Ontario Government to roll out wind projects are stacked against the OFA. Also, some OFA members adamantly fight to place their property rights over their own health. Let’s consider these one at a time.

The primary example often quoted by the OFA as substantiation for how they are protecting health, is their successful lobbying to move turbines from 420 meter setbacks to 550 meters for participating land owners. Although well intended, this move could best be characterized as tinkering. It will do very little to alleviate the potential ill effects of turbines. One only need look at a couple of current examples.

At this time there is a Renewable Energy Application in front of the Ministry of the Environment for the McLeans Mountain industrial wind project on Manitoulin Island. This application is for the construction of 24 turbines each with 2.5 megawatts in power output and a maximum sound power level (noise level) of 104 decibels per turbine. As with most projects like this, there is a requirement for a detailed Noise Impact Assessment.

In the Mcleans Mountain noise assessment you will find a map that illustrates four distinct ‘noise envelopes’ drawn around clusters of turbines. The perimeter of each envelope indicates where noise levels are predicted to be 40 decibels. That noise level is the benchmark for compliance for the MOE. That means beyond that boundary, further from the turbines, noise levels are deemed acceptable. In this project that border physically occurs at approximately 650 metres in a 360 degree direction around each turbine cluster.

In a similar example, the Watford Wind Farm project recently approved by the MOE has 4 turbines each with 2.5 megawatts of power output but with almost 108 decibels (107.9) as a maximum sound power level (noise level). The 40 decibel boundary for the ‘noise envelope’ in this case occurs about 700 meters in a 360 degree direction around the group of 4 turbines.

To clarify, inside the boundary of each of the ‘noise envelopes’ in the above examples the predicted noise levels start at greater than 40 decibels and increase to over 70 decibels as you get closer to the turbines. Ironically, inside the noise envelope is also the homesteads and workplaces of farmers. Most of who are the constituents of the OFA.

Stray voltage = Wind developers problem- not Hydro One’s

What I learnt at the Hydro One transmission meeting last night:

Wind Developers: if YOU install ANY transmission lines (collector lines etc.) in our communities— YOU must fix the Stray Voltage that occurs, not Hydro One. That includes the lines proposed to surround my kid’s school and playground.  So don’t bother telling me anything otherwise at any more of your twisted meetings.

Lambton to Longwood 70km Transmission Upgrade

From Hydro One:

Notice of Commencement and Invitation to Public Information Centre
Lambton to Longwood Transmission Upgrade Class Environmental Assessment

Date: January 18
Time: 5 – 8 p.m.
Location: Southwest Middlesex Arena, Auditorium 138 Mill Street, Glencoe

Date: January 19
Time: 5 – 8 p.m.
Location: Brigden Community Hall 3016 Brigden Road, Brigden

Hydro One Networks Inc. (“Hydro One”) invites you to a Public Information Centre to learn more about plans to upgrade an existing double-circuit 230 kilovolt transmission line. The transmission line, as shown on the map below, connects Lambton Transformer Station (TS) in the Township of St. Clair with Longwood TS in the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc. Consistent with Province of Ontario’s Long-Term Energy Plan, this project is required by the end of 2014 to increase capacity of the transmission system west of London to carry additional power from renewable, gas and other sources. The project involves replacing the conductor (wire) and insulators on the existing transmission towers. Hydro One will also repair selected tower foundations to ensure the long-term structural integrity of the transmission line.

Project Planning and Approvals
This project is being planned in accordance with the Class Environmental Assessment for Minor Transmission Facilities. The project will undergo an initial Environmental Screening. Screening criteria will be used to assess the potential significance of effects. If significant effects cannot be avoided, Hydro One will carry out a full Class Environmental Assessment. The project will also require approval under Section 92 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998. The Ontario Energy Board regulates the electricity sector in Ontario and will review Hydro One’s “Leave to Construct” application to determine if the construction and operation of the proposed project is in the public interest.

Opportunities for public input exist throughout both the environmental planning and Ontario Energy Board review processes.

Public Information Centres
Interested parties are invited to attend one of our public information centres to learn more about the project and to provide comments to our project team.

For More Information
If you have any questions or want to be added to the project mailing list, please contact: Carrie-Lynn Ognibene, Community Relations Hydro One Networks Inc. Tel: 1-877-345-6799 E-mail: Community.Relations@HydroOne.com www.HydroOne.com/projects  

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Hydro transmission upgrade inches ahead  By CATHY DOBSON, The Observer

A major upgrade to a 70-kilometre transmission line slicing through Lambton County bodes well for the local economy, community leaders say.

Hydro One plans to hold public consultations this month about adding capacity to the existing double-circuit 230-kilovolt transmission line stretching from the Lambton transformer station in St. Clair Township to the Longwood transformer station in Strathroy-Caradoc.

Meanwhile, turbines going up on $22-million project

By PAUL MORDEN, The Observer Jan 12 2012

Muddy conditions caused by rain and mild winter temperatures have been a challenge for crews at the Zephyr Farms four-turbine wind project under construction near Watford.

Mississauga-based Green Breeze Energy Inc., began work on the $22-million, 10-MW energy generation project in late 2011 after receiving approval from Ontario’s Environment Ministry.

Brent Hull, vice-president with Green Breeze Energy, said the work has stayed mostly on schedule, even through the wet weather.

“In the beginning, when we were digging the holes for the foundations, they just kept filling up with water because it was raining so much,” he said.

Access roads have been built to the site on Churchill Line, between Ebenezer and Old Walnut Lines in Brooke-Alvinston Township, plus the foundations are now in place and underground wiring for the electricity collector system is nearly complete.

The turbines, made by Samsung of South Korea, are sitting dockside in Windsor waiting to be trucked to the site, Hall said.

“We should begin erecting the week of Jan. 23.”

The 100-metre blades will be trucked to the site from the manufacturer in Arkansas.

“The turbines should be all up and ready to produce power by the end of February,” Hall said.

Some time made be needed after that to test the equipment before it begins generating power, he added.

The ministry’s approval of the wind project has been appealed by the Middlesex-Lambton Wind Action Group. Hearings are set to begin in February but the appeal hasn’t impacted the construction schedule, Hall said.

pmorden@theobserver.ca

Decision on Watford wind farm expected soon

By PAUL MORDEN, The Observer Jan 12 2012

The fate of the Ontario Environment Ministry’s latest attempt to scuttle a challenge of its approval of a Brooke-Alvinston Township wind farm project could be known soon.

Following a Jan. 6 hearing in Toronto, Ontario’s Environmental Review Tribunal reserved its decision on the province’s motion to dismiss the Middlesex-Lambton Wind Action Group’s appeal of the provincial approval of the four-turbine Zephyr Farms wind project under construction near Watford.

“They have now indicated that they hope to get a decision released sometime next week,” said Eric Gillespie, a lawyer for the wind action group.

The ministry’s first motion to dismiss the appeal was denied by the tribunal in December.

Gillespie said he and the wind action group have provided additional information to the tribunal since then.

“Given that the first motion did not succeed,” he added, “logically, the second cannot succeed.”

A Deceiving drive-by of the “Brooke Wind Project”

Let’s take a closer look at the signage around the Zephyr wind development:

Let me know if you see the project owner’s name anywhere (or any variation) on these signs. Do you see “Oneworld”, or “Greenbreeze”? Noooope. Hmmm. OK, how about “Stantec”? Huh.  Geeze these reps were everywhere at the public meetings, and they are nowhere to be seen once the turbines are being constructed. Here’s one that HAS to be there- ”ZEPHYR”. Nowhere to be seen. Well that’s confusing.

Hey- check out what they DO have: such as”RES”—I’ve never seen them associated with this project. And “Minten Hume Contractors Inc.”,  another one you won’t find in the ‘project documents’. Or how about the project name: “Brooke Wind Project” – that’s not officially the name of this project (Brooke-Alvinston Wind Farm).

Imagine you are a passerby, or a nearby resident and you think you might like to know a bit more about this project that you are driving by. You scribble down the names, drive home, type them into the google search….and…..nada. Apparently this project doesn’t exist. It’s a whole pile of alias names. Do you think the company did this all by accident? Or maybe the intention is to confuse the public- make the info a tad more difficult to find – hope that people give  up, don’t get educated, don’t get involved.

Turbine noise can cause health problems: Erhard

Plympton-Wyoming engineer out to prove province wrong

Sarnia This Week
PLYMPTON-WYOMING – Eric Erhard doesn’t like wind power. “If there was no other source of electricity in the universe, then maybe a wind turbine would be acceptable.” The professional engineer from Plympton-Wyoming first spoke up against them when Suncor tried to convince his municipality to host an industrial wind farm. Now, he will be one of the objectors when the Ontario government faces off against people opposed to the project February 21.

Erhard argues the wind energy industry isn’t sustainable without government funding. “It’s only sustainable when taxpayers are footing the bill. It’s really a welfare industry.”

And he says it is not environmentally friendly. Erhard says it needs other energy sources to back it up and the construction process for the turbine creates tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, not to mention the harm turbines do to wildlife. “They’re improperly called green; they do significant damage to birds, bats and to the environment in the production of turbines.

But it is the health effects of four wind turbines just outside of Watford which will be under scrutiny at an Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal.

The Middlesex-Lambton Wind Action Group filed the appeal after provincial government approved Green Breeze Energy’s four turbine 10 megawatt project worth about $22 million.

WAG’s lawyer, Eric Gillespie, says the main focus of the hearing will be the “numerous indirect health effects associated with wind turbines such as sleep disturbance, vertigo, nausea, headaches.”

Erhard hopes to back the group up with information he’s found from the World Health Organization and studies done for the province of Ontario.

Erhard says a recently released study done for the province says a the placement of wind turbines 450 meters from homes will result in “non trivial numbers of people being highly annoyed” by the low frequency sound.

Erhard says government studies place the turbines at a distance which will “highly annoy” between 6.5 and 8 percent of the people nearby.

“They’re willing to accept that – that’s their standard…that’s okay,” says Erhard. “That to me is not okay …that 1 out of 12 …that’s not acceptable.”

Zephyr Wind- muddy roadways to hell

I really shouldn’t do this, on New Years Day…put here are some pictures of the roadways to hell of the Brooke-Alvinston-Watford Zephyr Wind Project:

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Wind turbine study timing curious

by J. Morris, Ingersoll Times
The Ontario government’s December 16 press release relates to a report commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment and written by HGC, an engineering firm. The timing of this press release is curious, as it appears the same report was in draft form in August 2010 then submitted as a Final Draft December 2010 by the MOE as evidence during the Environmental Review Tribunal and finally to the public in August 2011. Why would it suddenly warrant a press release in December 2011? Could it be an attempt to divert attention from the upcoming appeal hearing in the Watford area for the Zephyr wind project?

Statements about ‘no direct health effects’ are a red herring, because it is acknowledged by international experts (including experts called upon by the MOE and wind energy proponents) that wind turbines cause adverse health effects via the ‘indirect’ pathway. Even Mr. Howe (of HGC) acknowledged under oath at the 2011 Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) that indirect effects are still ‘something that can occur’.

The press release raises a number of questions:

- When it comes to health, why is the government commissioning reports and relying on information generated by an engineering firm, who is a member of the Canadian Wind Energy Association?

- Why are desk top literature reviews still the government’s method of choice to address concerns rather than properly designed independent field epidemiology studies performed by qualified epidemiology experts?

- Why was the press release issued now, when the referenced report was compiled in 2010?

The press release and report unfortunately do no justice to the families who have already been impacted and displace from their homes at projects throughout the province due to adverse health effects.

It is important to reiterate that, after weeks of testimony from experts around the world in 2011, the Environmental Review Tribunal for the Kent Breezes project concluded:

“This case has successfully shown that the debate should not be simplified to one about whether wind turbines can cause harm to humans. The evidence presented to the tribunal demonstrated that they can, if facilities are placed too close to residents. The debate has now evolved to one of degree.”

J. Morris, Woodstock

Wind Turbine Letters to the Ed. (LFPress)

Wind Letter Misses the Point

In his letter, “Wind Trumps Nuclear”, Gideon Forman shows that he doesn’t understand the anger that has been directed against wind turbines in this province. None of the protest groups has ever claimed that wind power is worse for your health than coal or nuclear. But because wind is safer, Forman seems to think Ontarians should happily allow industries to put windmills wherever they wish, to let the provincial government continue to trample on individual and municipal rights, to ignore declining property values due to nearby windmills, and to ignore any possible link between windmills and repeated cases of ill health.

I find it apalling that an association of physicians is willing to allow the health risks that seem to follow windmills. Doctors in Ontario, the US and Europe have all recommended that windmills be set back far more than Ontario’s 550 meters. The French Academy of Medicine recommends 1500 meters, and some American doctors recommend 2000 meters or more. Given the correlation between windmills and stories of poor health, even if there is not yet a proven direct link, any group of physicians worthy of the name should at least be pushing for more than 550 meters between windmills and houses. It is unacceptable that the best the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment can do is to advocate that we let people suffer for the common good.

Adam Shirley, London
December 28, 2011

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Wind energy can kill you

In response to the letter by Gideon Forman, Wind trumps nuclear (Dec. 26): Forman mention’s “the new study,” but gives no indication of what the study is or who conducted it. He goes on to say: “Windmills produce no smog, no acid rain, no toxic ash, no radioactive waste, no cancer.”

I wonder if Forman has ever looked into how these structures are produced and from what they are produced, what their longevity is and what happens to them when they fail. His letter is about as far from accurate as one could get.

Many of Ontario’s residents are reporting health problems they claim are caused by wind-turbine syndrome, but letters such as Forman’s suggest they are all liars or possibly, it’s in their heads. There are way too many persons claiming ill effects by wind turbines, so dismissing them all is not credible.

Green energy? Hogwash.

The only thing green about wind-generated electricity is all the extra green each Ontarian has to pay for this “green energy.” Wind is notoriously unreliable, blowing when not needed and needed when not blowing – which means if the so-called non-green production is cut too much, we’ll not have the capacity needed to heat or cool our homes during severe periods of weather, resulting in the death of vulnerable people when the power fails.

Ian Tuck, Exeter
December 29, 2011

Lambton Cty- huge solar, wind developments AND T.O.’s Gas plant?

Just wondering how many massive wind and solar developments are proposed for Toronto? How about GAS plants? Hmmmm. Well, apparently Lambton County may have to welcome all three, even if  T.O. doesn’t want them. And a massive landfill dump or two too. Wonder why we aren’t too happy out here Dalton???

 Lambton coal plant could be converted

POWER GENERATION: The coal-fired station may be a candidate for natural gas after construction of a Toronto plant was stopped

By PAUL MORDEN, QMI Agency

SARNIA – The next 12 months could determine if Ontario’s coal-fired power plant near Sarnia has a future.

Ontario Power Generation’s Lambton station in Courtright is scheduled to close in 2014, as Ontario’s Liberal government makes good on its promise – delayed several times – to phase out production of electricity from coal-fired power plants.

But the idea of converting the facility to a cleaner-burning fuel hasn’t been ruled out.

“Ontario Power is investigating the conversion of its coal-fired unit to clean fuels, including natural gas and biomass,” said Paul Gerard, a spokesperson with Ontario’s Ministry of Energy.

“No decision has been made on conversion at the Lambton Generating Station.”

Watford turbines under review

Size doesn’t matter when it comes to wind turbines say environmentalists

By Heather Wright  Sarnia & Lambton County This Week –  Dec 26, 2011 

WATFORD – The health effects of four wind turbines just outside of Watford will be under scrutiny at an Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal hearing in January.

The Middlesex-Lambton Wind Action Group filed the appeal after provincial government approved Green Breeze Energy’s four turbine 10 megawatt project worth about $22 million.

WAG’s lawyer, Eric Gillespie, says this is only the second time a project has been reviewed since the provincial government changed the Green Energy Act to allow appeals for “serious harm to human health.”

The hearing moved ahead Dec. 22, after the tribunal dismissed a motion from the Ministry of the Environment to call off the hearing. Lawyers suggested WAG didn’t provide enough information. The tribunal decided there was enough information to go ahead.

Gillespie says the main focus of the hearing will be the “numerous indirect health effects associated with wind turbines such as sleep disturbance, vertigo, nausea, headaches.”

There are many industrial wind farm projects about to begin in Lambton County, some with dozens of turbines. Gillespie expects the size of the Zephyr project will be brought up. But he says studies in the US have show the number of turbines in a neighbourhood is not a contributing factor to the problems.

“It doesn’t really seem to matter whether the project is two or three or maybe four turbines or a much large projects,” says Gillespie. “The effects of people living in close proximity seem to be the same no matter what the size of the project.

“A project down in Maine …in a place they were finding people feeling the effects more than 6,000 meters away from just three turbines.”

Gillespie says the tribunal has already recognized the problems associated with wind turbines but he says it may take many more rulings to convince the government to change distance restrictions on the projects.

“Whether it’s four turbines or forty turbines you are going to continue to see people raise concerns,” says Gillespie.

Tribunal Prelim

POSTED BY news on December 22nd, 2011

An Ontario Environment Ministry lawyer says an appeal of a four-turbine wind-farm project near Watford, is laughable and a mockery. At an Environmental Review Tribunal preliminary hearing in Wyoming today (Thurs), Frederika Rotter asked for the appeal to be dismissed saying it’s based on concerns, not fact. Esther Wrightman of the Middlesex-Lambton Wind Action Group calls the Ministry’s posture “insulting”.
Audio

The Tribunal will consider the motion to “dismiss” January 6th. If a hearing does proceed, it’s set to begin February 21st in Brooke Alvinston.

“All they have done is raised concerns”: MOE lawyer

ENERGY — Province lawyer calls appeal of wind farm laughable

By DANIEL PUNCH, The Observer Dec 22 2011

WYOMING — The appeal of a new wind farm project in Brooke-Alvinston township is “abusive” and “laughable,”says counsel for the Ontario Ministry of Environment.

“All they have done is raised concerns,” said lawyer Frederika Rotter during a preliminary hearing on Thursday.

“People can be concerned until the cows come home.”

Representatives for the ministry, the Zephyr wind project and the Middlesex-Lambton Wind Action Group (WAG) met in Lambton County council chambers in Wyoming to discuss the $22 million, four-turbine wind farm under construction near Watford.

WAG is appealing the project because of concerns for its effects on the health of nearby residents.

It was the preliminary hearing for the Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) to review WAG’s appeal. The provincial government has already approved the project, which should be operational in early 2012.

The ministry is seeking to have the appeal thrown out, arguing that it does not provide evidence on how this specific project will be harmful. Rotter says this appeal only rehashes issues covered in an ERT tribunal earlier this year for a wind project near Thamesville.

But WAG member Harvey Wrightman says his group is not the one presenting stale arguments.

“If anybody’s rehashing it, I think it’s the other side,” Wrightman said. “We’ll see when the evidence is presented (and) what new evidence they have.”

The preliminary meeting was held to address scheduling and administrative issues. ERT vice-chair Paul Muldoon was the only member of the panel at the proceedings. He directed counsel that a preliminary hearing was not the place for judication.

“I cannot, without my panel, unilaterally make a determination,” Muldoon told Rotter. “That is just the way it is.”

Both the Ministry and Green Breeze Energy Inc. filed motions before the hearing. The ministry was looking to have the appeal thrown out while Green Breeze, the company building the wind farm, was seeking to limit the scope of evidence to just new information ever since the Thamesville tribunal.

The ERT didn’t approve the ministry’s motion but asked the appellants to give specifics about the potential harm of the project. WAG revised its appeal, but the ministry isn’t satisfied it met the request.

“If there aren’t any further particulars, there’s nothing to have a hearing about,” Rotter said. “Honestly, we have no idea what this appeal is about.”

Wrightman says the appeal is different than the one put forward in Thamesville. Residents living near the Kent Breeze wind power project have since filed a $1.5 million lawsuit against Suncor, the project’s owner, and many have complained of health issues.

“It’s pretty powerful when people are that determined,” Wrightman said.

The ERT is set to meet Jan. 6 in Toronto to discuss the motions. The hearing will begin Feb. 21 and will be held in Alvinston. The ERT has until May 15 — six months from the date of the appeal — to make a decision.

dpunch@theobserver.ca

Higher wind turbine fee sought- Adelaide-Metcalfe

GREEN ENERGY: Adelaide Metcalfe is considering charging thousands of dollars a unit instead of the current $500

By DEBORA VAN BRENK, The London Free Press December 21, 2011

A plan to escalate fees for companies wanting to erect wind turbines in Adelaide Metcalfe has been deferred until politicians can determine if charging $10,000 per turbine would cover the potential costs.

The current fee is $500, which local politicians have said is far too low to justify the engineering costs and other expenses which the Strathroy-area municipality could incur as the massive wind machines are put into service.

A council meeting this week to determine how much more to charge — the proposal was $10,000 per turbine — drew scores of residents.

Many called for even higher fees, along the lines of the $40,000 some Ontario communities are charging.

One resident said $10,000 would be too low even to inspect one of the structures.

Council heard submissions for about two hours before sending the matter back to staff to look at whether Adelaide Metcalfe should be a leader or a follower in the fee battle.

“What really pleased me was the response from the community,” said Esther Wrightman, who recalled that she and her family felt alone in their opposition when they first started talking with council a year ago.

Two wind energy giants, NextEra and Suncor, are looking to build as many as 68 turbines in the rural community.

Although the province has been promoting its green energy strategy — and this week promoted a report that says wind turbines don’t have any direct health effects — opponents say turbines can produce low frequency noise, harm bird migration and reduce property values.

Green energy giants NextEra and Suncor plan to build as many as 68 wind turbines in the Adelaide Metcalfe area in two separate projects.

No date was set for Adelaide Metcalfe council to debate the issue again.

E-mail deb.vanbrenk@sunmedia.ca , or follow DebatLFPress on Twitter.

Preliminary hearing for Watford Zephyr Appeal- Dec.22- public welcome to attend

*NOTE: TIME change*

Notice of Preliminary Hearing and Hearing
Preliminary hearing:
December 22, 2011 
10:00 a.m.
Council Chambers, County of Lambton, 789 Broadway Street, Wyoming  Map

Main Hearing:
Feb. 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29 2012 
10:00 a.m.
Council Chambers, County of Lambton, 789 Broadway Street, Wyoming  Map

MOE’s motion to dismiss wind appeal denied

On Friday Dec 16 the Environmental Review Tribunal dismissed a motion put forth bu the Ministry of the Environment to have our appeal of the Zephyr wind project ‘dismissed’.  See here: Zephyr ERT – Order – Dismiss – 11-12-16

Now on to the Preliminary Hearing on December 22nd in Wyoming at the county chambers.

NextEra Land Takeover

A new NextEra ad for the Bornish project  in the London Free Press today- just like the Adelaide one a month or so ago.

You know what really bites about these ads? This sentence:

“The legal effect of this Notice is should another party, not affiliated with this project, pursue future development in the area, they are soley responsible to ensure noise levels meet all regulatory requirements….”

Yep, what they are saying is they are moving hundreds of turbines into our townships, and from now on all the residents and other devlopers must ensure that THEY are 550m away from the turbines NextEra has proposed. They have basically stole 550m of land around each proposed turbine – even if it is not on the signed property. People should be screaming about this type of invasion, plain and simple.

Watford wind project appeal to be heard

By DANIEL PUNCH, The Observer Dec 17 2011

Opponents of the government-approved Zephyr wind farm project near Watford will get the chance to state their case to Ontario’s Environmental Review Tribunal.

A preliminary hearing to appeal the project will be held Dec. 22 at Lambton County’s Wyoming council chambers. The next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 11.

The Middlesex-Lambton Wind Action Group (WAG) filed the appeal in the wake of government approval for the $22-million, four-turbine, 10-MW wind farm. Green Breeze Energy Inc. is currently building the farm’s infrastructure near Churchill Line between Ebenezer and Walnut roads.

WAG member Esther Wrightman says the group is demanding a proper health study before the government goes through with wind energy projects.

“It needs to be addressed, it needs to be looked at, we need to have a study,” Wrightman said. “Without the information, I don’t know how they can feel comfortable installing these machines near people.”

Hearing Delayed

Dec. 16th 2011  Sarnia Blackburn Radio News

Those interested in a four-turbine wind farm near Watford were met by locked doors at a planned Environmental Review Tribunal hearing in Wyoming Thursday. The preliminary hearing was rescheduled by the province, with little-to-no public notification. Brooke-Alvinston Mayor Don McGugan sent representation to the meeting, only to be notified by mail that the hearing had been called off.

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Observers and those with standing found the Lambton County Council Chambers dark and were sent home with rescheduled dates and locations yet to be confirmed.  The Environmental Review Tribunal’s website says a preliminary hearing will be held December 22nd with county staff noting the council chambers have been booked for the day.

Zephyr Wind Appeal: PLEASE DONATE

 Zephyr Wind Appeal Donation Form

 This is my big plea of the year. Please do what you can to help- every bit that you can give is very much appreciated.

As you may have heard, the Zephyr Wind development south of Watfordis being appealed by us (Middlesex-Lambton Wind Action Group Inc.). Although this may seem small in our local eyes, it is actually a huge appeal in the province’s eyes – this  is where the spotlight is shining on inOntario in the big picture, little ‘ol Watford andWyoming.

What we must all understand is that fighting against the Zephyr project (wherever you live in this province), is fighting for the project in your area as well. I don’t live in the Zephyr project, but I am as concerned about this appeal as I would if it was in my back field.

Many of you may remember the Thamesville Environmental Review Tribunal appeal this spring. The wind industry and government touted it as a victory. What they didn’t realize is that they actually lost. Yes, they did. The decision on July 18, after weeks of testimony from experts from around the world in Chatham states:

“This case has successfully shown that the debate should not be simplified to one about whether wind turbines can cause harm to humans. The evidence presented to the tribunal demonstrated that they can, if facilities are placed too close to residents. The debate has now evolved to one of degree.”

Our lawyer is Eric Gillespie from Toronto, the same lawyer who appealed the Thamesville project, and has extensive background on this issue and has devoted years of work,  fighting for our cause.

Below is a donation form with more information on the appeal. Please- print it off, read it and send a contribution to the appeal. Every donation is much appreciated- we cannot do this without your support. To double the effort, please print off a couple extra copies for friends and neighbours who are interested in fighting wind turbine development in rural Ontario.

Thank you all very much for all your help this year – we are in a better place than we were a year ago – I can count all the good things that have happened, but I need more than one hand to do it- that is a wonderful sign! Let’s keep the momentum going, and help with this huge step forward in our fight.

Esther Wrightman

Middlesex-Lambton Wind Action Group Inc.

View this document on Scribd

Lambton Shores Wind Debate

Lambton shores residents may see hundreds of wind turbines in their township. But many are saying “NO”.

Setbacks protect us from burning chunks of fiberglass? Nope.

A wind turbine near Dalry and Ardrossan in North Ayrshire caught fire during Scotland’s extreme weather on Dec 8th 2011.

OK- so how far are those huge burning chunks of fiberglass flying? Further than 550m.  We have turbines placed less than topple distance from roads–  proposed to line the 402 highway— our setbacks do not take these types of disatsers into consideration. 

Napier Wind Public Meeting (actually project not even near Napier…): Dec 15

Public Meeting
Napier Wind WPD
Date: Thurs. Dec. 15
Time: 5:30-8:00 PM
Location: Adelaide W. G. MacDonald P.S.
29059 School Road/Egremont Dr. MAP

Two giant 2.7MW turbines on Napperton Dr./between Kerwood Rd & Brown Rd: Project Report

Liberal energy plan leaves opponents green around the gills

*READ Auditor Generals Report on the Green Energy program*

By CATHY DOBSON, The Observer Dec 6 2011
Local renewable energy opponents jumped on the auditor general’s report Tuesday, saying it adds steam to their argument Ontario should back away from its Green Energy Act.

“The main problem with wind turbines is health concerns but there hasn’t been a lot of consideration given to the costs,” said Ann Towell, a member of the Dawn-Euphemia chapter of Wind Concerns Ontario.

“I think our group is thrilled the auditor general is pointing out the costs to taxpayers. It may mean people on the periphery take a look at the Green Energy Act again.”

Ontario Auditor General Jim McCarter’s annual report estimated the Liberal’s green energy plan could drive up hydro bills 8% a year for the next five years.

He said wind and solar projects were fast-tracked without the usual oversight.

“There has been a lack of analysis that you’d normally find when you’re investing billions of dollars,” McCarter said.

Generous financial incentives such as the FIT (Feed-in-Tariff) system of subsidized power contracts may impact the energy bills of homeowners and businesses more than anticipated.

FIT has helped kickstart a number of renewable energy projects, but will cost $4.4 billion more than the previous renewable energy program, said McCarter.

As well, the intermittent nature of renewables means guaranteed FIT contracts will pay generators up to $225 million a year when they’re not producing power.

Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey called the auditor general’s report scathing.

“The McGuinty government’s expensive approach to energy, especially its rich FIT subsidies, permanent debt retirement charge and energy exports, is actively killing jobs in Ontario’s broader economy.”

Rather than create 50,000 green energy jobs, as the Liberal’s claimed, the Green Energy Act will fall short, according to McCarter. An estimated 30,000 of those jobs will be temporary construction work only.

“The auditor general has once again given this government a failing grade on his annual report card,” Bailey said. “What’s more, this report confirms what we in Sarnia-Lambton already know: the McGuinty government’s approach to energy is too expensive and is killing good jobs.”

Brooke-Alvinston Mayor Don McGugan has been an outspoken critic of the legislation because it took decision-making authority away from municipalities.

Adelaide Metcalfe to up Wind Building Permit- Meeting Dec 19th

A fee hike for turbines in Adelaide-Metcalfe is long overdue – right  now a spinning, electrical machine that stands 500′ tall pays the same fee as a wood shed to our township – $500. The Twp is willing to raise it to $10 000 but that is still much too low, especially when looking at having over 120 of these machines operating here. To the residents in Adelaide-Metcalfe – please attend the meeting :
Adelaide-Metcalfe IWT Building Permit Fee Meeting
Date: Mon. Dec. 19
Time: 7:00-8:30 PM
Location: Adelaide-Metcalfe Council Chambers
2340 Egremont Dr., Adelaide MAP 

Turbine fees could soar

WIND ENERGY: Adelaide Metcalfe considers upping building permit charge to $10,000 from $500 per unit

By DEBORA VAN BRENK, The London Free Press Dec. 6, 2011

Wind energy companies may have to pay sky-higher fees if they want to set up shop in Adelaide Metcalfe.

And the Strathroy-area municipality’s plan is only one of several ways turbine opponents and politicians are showing frustration with what they see as a lack of local decision-making power about green energy.

Charging a building-permit fee of $10,000 per turbine — the current fee is $500 — isn’t a cash grab and is intended to be a break-even plan, Adelaide Metcalfe Mayor David Bolton said Monday.

“Our fees are enough to cover our costs.”

An engineering review of a single turbine can cost $4,500, Bolton said, and that doesn’t include re-reviews or inspection costs. Adelaide Metcalfe has planned a public meeting on Dec. 19 about the proposed fee hike.

Bolton hopes the higher levy will be in place by January — well before any turbines are in the ground.

Green electricity giant NextEra Energy has applied to build 38 turbines in Adelaide Metcalfe; in addition, Suncor has prepared a draft plan to erect as many as 30 more turbines in roughly the same area, to a maximum of 154 metres (500 feet) high.