Daily Archives: March 30, 2013
Wind development planned near Grand Bend
By Paul Morden, Sarnia Observer
Aamjiwnaang First Nation officials gathered Thursday to celebrate the community’s investment in a $380-million wind farm near Grand Bend. Aamjiwnaang and Bkejwanong First Nation at Walpole Island have each taken 25% shares in Northland Power’s Grand Bend Wind Farm project.
“We’re expecting a large influx of generated revenue from the project,” said Aamjiwnaang Chief Chris Plain. “It’s going to create some opportunities for us for further development in the community … we’re excited about those opportunities.”
Northland CEO John Brace said construction could begin as early as this fall on up to 48 turbines planned for Huron County. The company has a contract to sell power from the wind farm into the province’s electricity grid and is now awaiting provincial approvals. “We’re aiming for being online and in full production by the end of next year,” Brace said. He said a pair of provincial programs helped make the partnership with the First Nations possible. One program adds an incentive to the price paid for the energy generated by renewable projects involving First Nations. The second is Ontario’s Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program that helps First Nations borrow money to investment in renewable energy projects. Read article
Protesters worried about migrating tundra swans
Terry Heffernan, Special to the Times-Advocate
GRAND BEND — About 70 people were in attendance at a protest Sunday of the planned installation of wind turbines in or around the Thedford Bog near the Lambton County Museum.
At issue is the tundra swans that use the bog to rest and feed on their way from their wintering grounds in Chesapeake Bay to the Arctic shores breeding grounds. Protesters believe that building turbines in the bog will disrupt the flight path of the swans and they will disappear from the area and never return as long as the turbines are in place.
Before the turbines get final approval, members of the Trees Not Turbines on Ontario’s West Coast, Ontario Wind Resistance, Middlesex Lambton Wind Action Group, WAIT Plympton-Wyoming and Wind Concerns Ontario are attempting to convince NextEra to stop the turbine invasion in the area. Read article
Hmm…OPA says they don’t have a map of the wind projects either… the search continues
The OPA does not currently have a map of all OPA contracted wind facilities.
There is a map of renewable generation on the Ministry of Energy’s website, however, it does not list all OPA contracted facilities, as well, it lists certain projects that are not contracted by the OPA. This is not an OPA map so we cannot verify it’s accuracy.
http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/en/ontarios-electricity-system/new-energy-projects/
Best regards,
The microFIT Team
Warden worried about second wave of wind energy; 900 turbines possible in southern Ontario
Sarnia Lambton Independent
Lambton County Warden Todd Case is worried southwestern Ontario will be flooded with industrial wind turbines when the provincial government offers energy contracts to large companies soon. He wants the provincial government to rethink the green energy agenda before awarding any more contracts to produce power.
Case was recently in Windsor at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Sustainability Conference. He visited a wind turbine plant in the city where the talk was about the province’s next round of announcements for the Feed In Tariff (FIT) projects to large energy companies. Case says industry leaders expect that next round will place hundreds of turbines in southern Ontario and that has him worried.
“There are rumblings from the government there will be about 900 expected in (the region) the second process,” says Case. Read article
Support sought for wind turbine moratorium
By Barbara Simpson, Sarnia Observer
SARNIA – A concerned Lambton County resident is calling on the local public school board to support a moratorium on industrial wind turbines being built within the school board district. Plympton-Wyoming resident Keith Douglas said the board needs to act especially since wind projects are being proposed for sites near two Lambton Kent District schools.
Scientific research shows wind turbines generate both audible and inaudible noise, which could potentially impact the health of students and teachers, Douglas told trustees. “Closing the windows in a school will not keep (low frequency sound) away from the children or teachers,” he said, adding low frequency sound has been linked to cases of motion sickness and disorientation. Suncor Energy Products is proposing to erect as many as 46 turbines in the area of Plympton-Wyoming, Lambton Shores and Warwick Township. Read article
MOE Field Officer: “We were told no.”
Ontario Ministry of Environment Officer Martin McConnochie November 29, 2012 at the home of a person affected by wind turbines. He explains why he could not measure the noise of the wind turbines on a particularly windy/noisy night. More evidence of corruption in this wind energy scandal.
![CTV: Energy Board flooded with objections to NextEra’s transmission project Posted on 03/30/2013 by windaction AFTER Nextera Transmission lines over Heritage Keyser Store Sarnia Lambton Independent NextEra Energy is facing stiff opposition to its transmission plan. Dozens of people, organizations, and businesses have filed to be interveners at an Ontario Energy Board Hearing on the transmission line project to serve three of NextEra’s projects including the Jericho Wind Energy project in Lambton Shores. The company plans to erect 100 foot poles over 30 km along roads in Middlesex County to carry the power generated by the wind projects near Strathroy and Lambton Shores. But some neighbours are not pleased. The OEB allowed 10 days for people to register to take part in the hearing to approve the plan, at least 15 landowners and nine other organizations want a say in the hearing. Middlesex County, Adelaide Township and North Middlesex want to be involved in the hearing. So does Hydro One, the Independent Electric System Operator, and Entegrus Transmission Lines. The Middlesex Lambton Wind Action Group – a citizens group which has been objecting to the industrial wind projects in the area – also wants a say. Read article Posted in Heritage, Ontario Energy Board, Transmission, Wind Industry | 2 Comments | Edit City positions itself for possible appeal of wind farms Posted on 03/30/2013 by windaction kawartha_lakesThe Lindsay Post MANVERS TWP. – The City of Kawartha Lakes is positioning itself for a possible appeal if three wind farms are approved in the former Manvers Township. City solicitor Tony Sutcliffe tabled a report on appeal options for Sumac Ridge wind farm at Tuesday’s (Mar. 26) city council meeting. It is proposed for the former Manvers Township as are two other wind farms, with a combined 15 industrial wind turbines. Sutcliffe said that under Ontario’s Environmental Protection Act, anyone, including a municipality, may notify the Director of Environmental Review Tribunal that they wish to appeal the Ministry of the Environment’s (MOE) decision regarding a renewable energy application. He said the municipality would have 15 days to lodge a written appeal and must describe how the project will cause serious harm to human health or serious and irreversible harm to plant life, animal life or the natural environment. The report added there were other rights of appeal under a number of pieces of legislation, federally, provincially and municipally. Sutcliffe could not provide a cost estimate on an appeal or appeals. Read article Posted in Legal, Municipalities of Ontario | Leave a comment | Edit Northumberland wind project plans called a nightmare Posted on 03/30/2013 by windaction NorthumberlandNorthumberland News NORTHUMBERLAND – Residents throughout Northumberland County should be worried about industrial wind turbines being built in their area, say opponents of the Clean Breeze Wind Park proposed for Alnwick-Haldimand Township. “These are two projects in one township but the risk is that they could come to any of the townships in the county,” said Gwyer Moore, a member of the Alliance for the Protection of Northumberland Hills, a citizens’ group that’s fighting to prevent a pair of 10-megawatt wind energy generation facilities proposed near Grafton and Centreton. “It’s a nightmare waiting to happen.” Mr. Moore and another Alliance member, Tyne Bonebakker, appeared before County council March 20 to summarize the “serious threats to the social and economic fabric of our community and the health of our citizens” that wind turbines represent. They include “huge health issues” caused by the emission of low frequency sounds inaudible to the human ear, a potential decline in property values, and the adverse effect wind turbines could have on the county’s robust tourism industry. Read article Posted in Health, Land Values | Leave a comment | Edit Kincardine rushes to provide input to Quixote One wind project Posted on 03/30/2013 by windaction Wind turbine noiseThe Kincardine Independent Confusion around the deadline for comments on the Quixote One wind project had Kincardine council scrambling to make a decision on what to submit last week. During last Wednesday’s meeting, council was unclear on whether the deadline to submit comments to the project’s developers, Leader Resources Services Corp. is March 31 or April 30. The Quixote One project is a single 2.5 megawatt industrial wind turbine project north of Kincardine, near Tiverton. The project received a FIT contract in July 2011. The final public meeting was held on Feb. 21. “I think we need a discussion at council of what our comments will be,” said deputy mayor Anne Eadie, and suggested that council should hold a special meeting if need be. “We don’t want to miss it and we need our comments ready to go.” Others around the council table stated that they would be happy submitting comments similar to those sent to Pattern Renewable Holdings and Samsung Renewable Energy for the Armow Wind Project. Read article Posted in Municipalities of Ontario, Wind Industry | Leave a comment | Edit Six Nations man posts trespassing notices near wind turbine sites Posted on 03/30/2013 by windaction Bill MontureJennifer Vo, The Sachem Six Nations resident Bill Monture said he is resorting to using Ontario’s law in an attempt to stop Industrial Wind Turbines from coming into the Haldimand and Six Nations area. “All we’re doing is standing up for what’s rightfully ours,” said Monture. “The Mother Earth is our mother. She’s our life giver. She’s our sustenance. Yet, what are we doing? We’re destroying her.” Monture along with Six Nations resident Lester Green had noted in the past during the turbine appeal process that if the appeals didn’t follow through, native residents would put up trespassing signs on the land. Monture said the trespassing notices should hold up in court, as he said the sites of the proposed wind turbine projects in the county fall in the Haldimand Proclamation Nanfan Treaty area. He said that land is their traditional hunting area, and he believes that since trespassing is a law of Ontario, the Ontario Provincial Police should enforce it. “My argument is that it’s a valid thing,” said Monture, citing incidents when he said trespassing notices have been put up on disputed land against non-natives and the charges stood in court. “Now, we’re putting up the same thing in here within our traditional hunting areas.” Cayuga Detachment Commander Inspector Phil Carter said the OPP would investigate every call that comes to them. Read article Posted in Environmental, Ethics, First Nations, Human Rights, Take Action | 3 Comments | Edit Watch out. It could happen in your community Posted on 03/30/2013 by windaction Amherst Is2Alena Schram, Financial Post I love the look of serene, shimmering wind turbines standing sentry on a hill. Especially when they’re in some isolated place. In Europe. And green energy delights me. I’d like to bequeath my grandchildren a clean Earth. And the many billions of dollars they — and the government — will need to pay for it. I’m resigned to our house value plummeting once the 36 turbines proposed for our small rural community are in place. Our children have promised to look after us when our nest egg suddenly evaporates. “You and Dad just need a bedroom and bathroom, Ma, and a blender in case you sometimes want steak!,” son Peter explained obligingly. I even get that my neighbours who have signed contracts to have turbines installed on their land — especially those tethered to hardscrabble family farms — regard turbine payouts as their pension incomes. I am, in short, a progressive, responsible, ecologically sound, live-and-let-live sort of person. I do my live-and-let-living on an idyllic island near Kingston, where the Presbyterians still hold Strawberry Socials each summer; the Anglicans still host Turkey Dinners in autumn; and where, if you go into hospital for even a night, you’d better have a freezer empty enough to hold the casseroles your neighbours will deliver to your door. Read article Posted in Ethics, Green Energy Act | 2 Comments | Edit New PC Wind Turbine Petition – Please print & gather signatures! Posted on 03/30/2013 by windaction sign-the-petition1PETITION (Please print and get signatures!) To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario: Whereas, residents and municipalities across Ontario want the ability to veto and/or plan for industrial wind turbines in their community; And Whereas, ratepayers in Ontario want all forms of energy generation to be affordable, and reliable; And Whereas, residents of Ontario want the feed-in tariff program to be eliminated; And Whereas, residents of Ontario want to protect environmentally sensitive areas like the Niagara Escarpment and the Oak Ridges Moraine from the development of wind turbines; We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows: That the Liberal government support Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson’s private members bill the Ensuring Affordable Energy Act, and call committee hearings immediately on the bill. Ensuring Affordable Energy Act Petition Please return ORIGINALS to Lisa Thompson, MPP for presentation in the Ontario Legislature: Room 430, Main Legislative Building, Toronto, ON M7A 1A8 408 Queen St., PO Box 426, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 807 Queen St., Unit 2, Kincardine, ON N2Z 2Y2 www.lisathompsonmpp.ca Posted in Ontario Election, Ontario government, Take Action | 1 Comment | Edit Wind power is all about subsidies not green energy Posted on 03/30/2013 by windaction 1297394437153_ORIGINALCelia R. Papertzian, Belleville EMC I would like to provide an explanation to those of you who question the anti-wind turbine opposition movement in Ontario. Having been involved in the fight to stop around 37 industrial wind turbines (each 156 meters/515 feet high) on Amherst Island, west of Kingston, for the last few years, I have gained considerable insight into the issues. First, the surge of industrial wind power development in Ontario isn’t really about fighting climate change. As usual, it is about money subsidies. The multitude of wind companies developing industrial wind facilities around the Great Lakes are not operated by idealistic entrepreneurs but by giant corporations. The wind lobby is very powerful and there are huge profits to be made. Put these interests together with politicians who pursue agendas that are not well considered (and not fiscally enlightened) and we have a “wind rush.” Unfortunately for us, our politicians have put the cart before the horse in the case of renewable energy in Ontario and we will all pay for it as huge increases in our electricity bills. Consider this: Ontario has an aging grid and no storage system for surplus power. Read article Posted in OWR | 7 Comments | Edit Sun News: Anti-wind turbine protestors greet Premier Wynne Posted on 03/30/2013 by windaction Sun News Anti-wind turbine protestors told Premier Kathleen Wynne that the turbines are ruining their lives. Rebecca Thompson reports on all the details.ctvclinton Posted in Ontario government, Protest, Take Action | 8 Comments | Edit CAW turbine is turning Posted on 03/30/2013 by windaction CAW protestOwen Sound Times A Canadian Auto Workers’ wind turbine that has sparked protests, petitions and a strong public backlash is now in full operation in Saugeen Shores. The turbine, at the union’s Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, was turned on and the blades began spinning at about 12:30 p.m. Monday, according to Ken Bondy, the CAW’s national health, safety and environment co-ordinator. “It was a long time coming for us, about nine years from the initial thought process,” he said Tuesday in an interview. He said the turbine is expected to generate enough “green energy” to offset 350 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year. While the union is celebrating the “milestone” — it is the first union-owned and operated wind turbine in Canada — opponents of the project are still fuming. Karen Hunter, spokeswoman for Saugeen Turbine Operation Policy (STOP), said the group is “extremely disappointed” the CAW has decided to “roll the dice and take a chance on our health and their own employees’ health. “They’ve chosen to ignore the massive evidence that turbines located too close to people destroy health. Their decision to start the turbine shows that the CAW’s priorities are money first, people second.” She said STOP will continue to be involved in “noise monitoring and legal action.” STOP and other opponents of the CAW turbine say it is too close to homes and, as a result, threatens the health and safety of many people and reduces the value of nearby residential properties. About 100 homes are within 550 metres of the turbine, which is the minimum setback in the Green Energy Act. The turbine is exempt from the act since approval was granted before it became law. Read article Posted in Ethics, Protest, Safety, Setbacks | 10 Comments | Edit GOOD News! Clean Breeze & Collie Hill wind projects cancelled!! Posted on 03/29/2013 by windaction ontario_cannot_afford_to_bet_its_future_on_windpower go4-Traders [excerpt] Ontario Projects Update – Wind Works is continuing to work with Sprott Power in order to close the transaction that is subject to the signed Letter of Intent announced on October 29, 2012. In the meantime, Wind Works has decided to discontinue the development of the Clean Breeze and Collie Hill projects in Ontario due to insufficient economics. Read article ———————————————– From the Alliance for the Protection of the Northumberland Hills. April 11 Meeting is still on in Baltimore! Although developer Windworks has cancelled its proposed Clean Breeze projects, there is an ongoing risk that they or other developers will attempt to gain approval in our community. This meeting is an important opportunity to hear from qualified speakers about the various issues and have your questions answered. The Alliance for the Protection of the Northumberland Hills is committed to supporting efforts of all rural Ontario communities to resist wind turbines. We have aligned with our neighbours, including those on the environmentally sensitive Oak Ridges Moraine, to raise awareness and communicate our opposition. Posted in Viability, Wind Industry | 4 Comments | Edit Kincardine to set aside up to $100,000 for possible turbine noise study Posted on 03/29/2013 by windaction wind-farm-noise-mapBarb McKay, Kincardine Independent Kincardine will establish a fund to conduct independent noise studies on industrial wind turbines to ensure they are in compliance with provincial regulations. The motion, introduced by councillor Jacqueline Faubert, set off a heated debate amongst council members during last Wednesday’s meeting. “I feel really, really positive about this motion,” she said. “This is an area where we have some say, where we otherwise have had obstacles and barriers.” The motion requires the Municipality to set aside up to $100,000 per year from municipal tax revenue from the Armow Wind Project to be placed in a reserve fund. The money would be used, if needed, to hire professionals to conduct independent studies on Armow wind turbines to make sure that noise levels are within provincially-mandated limits (40 decibels at a minimum setback of 550 metres from neighbouring properties). Faubert said that she had hoped that the project’s developers, Pattern Renewable Holdings and Samsung Renewable Energy, would have agreed to fund independent noise studies when the memorandum of understanding was being worked out with the Municipality. The companies agreed to fund an independent review of their own noise report. Read article Posted in Health, Municipalities of Ontario, Noise | 2 Comments | Edit Survey & Petition: respect the will of the residents of Amherst Island Posted on 03/29/2013 by windaction 12 More Signatures Needed! Sign The Petition Fill in The Survey A Petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario: Whereas, there is significant evidence that the proposed wind turbine project for Amherst Island will have long term negative consequences for the environment, health and prosperity of Islanders; And Whereas, the Green Energy Act pays exorbitant subsidies that will benefit a few at significant cost to the many, to create power that is unneeded, and that the majority of residents have expressed their opposition to the project; We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows: That the Liberal government now respect the will of the residents of Amherst Island, and cancel the contract with Algonquin power immediately. [Amherst Is] [Amherst Is3] Posted in Ontario government, Take Action | 12 Comments | Edit Wind development planned near Grand Bend Posted on 03/29/2013 by windaction Grand BendBy Paul Morden, Sarnia Observer Aamjiwnaang First Nation officials gathered Thursday to celebrate the community’s investment in a $380-million wind farm near Grand Bend. Aamjiwnaang and Bkejwanong First Nation at Walpole Island have each taken 25% shares in Northland Power’s Grand Bend Wind Farm project. “We’re expecting a large influx of generated revenue from the project,” said Aamjiwnaang Chief Chris Plain. “It’s going to create some opportunities for us for further development in the community … we’re excited about those opportunities.” Northland CEO John Brace said construction could begin as early as this fall on up to 48 turbines planned for Huron County. The company has a contract to sell power from the wind farm into the province’s electricity grid and is now awaiting provincial approvals. “We’re aiming for being online and in full production by the end of next year,” Brace said. He said a pair of provincial programs helped make the partnership with the First Nations possible. One program adds an incentive to the price paid for the energy generated by renewable projects involving First Nations. The second is Ontario’s Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program that helps First Nations borrow money to investment in renewable energy projects. Read article Posted in OWR | 3 Comments | Edit “Voluntary” notice of permission from MNR to harm, harass & destroy Bobolink habitat Posted on 03/29/2013 by windaction BOBO-Bobolink_Photo_by_Bill_Schmoker-www_schmoker_org_fsEnvironmental Registry EDP Renewables, permit for activities with conditions to achieve overall benefit to the species – ESA s.17(2)(c) — This notice was originally published on March 28, 2013. Members of the public are invited to submit their written comments by April 29, 2013 by email to sar.kemptville@ontario.ca and quote ER number 011-8655 in the subject line. Rationale for Exemption to Public Comment: This proposal is exempted by Ontario Regulation 681/94 under the Environmental Bill of Rights as a classified proposal for an instrument, because the species for which the permit is sought is an animal. The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is voluntarily posting this notice to advise the public of the proposal and to invite the public to submit written comments on this proposal to the contact person identified in this notice. Description: EDP Renewables has submitted a proposal in relation to an overall benefit permit under clause 17(2)(c) of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) with respect to Bobolink in order to construct a 30 megawatt wind farm near the community of Brinston, in the Geographic Townships of Edwardsburgh and Matilda, Ontario. Read more Posted in Bats and Birds, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario government | 6 Comments | Edit CTV News: Could wind developments impact tundra swan visits? Posted on 03/29/2013 by windaction CTV Newsctvswans Posted in Bats and Birds | 1 Comment | Edit CALL TO ACTION CALL TO ACTION Sign board seen on Townsend Line , in Lambton Shores, near Arkona Ontario Image | Posted on 03/28/2013 by windaction | Leave a comment | Edit Menacing turbines Posted on 03/28/2013 by windaction They even have sharp teeth!? Wind Turbine pictures from Haldimand County, ON. [DSC03845-2-1] [DSC03849] [DSC03823] [DSC03825] [DSC03846-2] Posted in Wind Industry | 11 Comments | Edit Day 6 of Ostrander Point — More cross-examination of Dr. Catling Posted on 03/28/2013 by windaction Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasinby Henri Garand, CCSAGE Monday’s ERT hearing was largely a reprise of the cross-examination Dr. Paul Catling had already endured by the Ministry of Environment’s lawyer. Gilead’s Cross-examination This time Gilead Power’s chief lawyer, Douglas Hamilton, conducted Dr. Catling’s five-hour ordeal. The questions were all about field notes vs. final reports, research methodologies and sample sizes, and botanical vs. engineering issues: When had Dr. Catling visited Ostrander Point? How long had he stayed? Which parts had he visited? Who accompanied him? Why were certain plant species listed in the two articles he had written on Ostrander Point, but were not recorded in his field notes? How did his field notes relate to the habitat and plant communities he had described? Had Dr. Catling read one or another Stantec report prepared for Gilead Power? Was he familiar with the mitigation measures proposed? Read article Posted in Environmental, Environmental Review Tribunal, Legal, Ontario government, Wind Industry | 2 Comments | Edit LFPress: Wind issue won’t blow away for Wynne Posted on 03/27/2013 by windaction London Free Press clinton Posted in Ontario government, Protest, Take Action | Leave a comment | Edit Protesters worried about migrating tundra swans Posted on 03/27/2013 by windaction swan protestTerry Heffernan, Special to the Times-Advocate GRAND BEND — About 70 people were in attendance at a protest Sunday of the planned installation of wind turbines in or around the Thedford Bog near the Lambton County Museum. At issue is the tundra swans that use the bog to rest and feed on their way from their wintering grounds in Chesapeake Bay to the Arctic shores breeding grounds. Protesters believe that building turbines in the bog will disrupt the flight path of the swans and they will disappear from the area and never return as long as the turbines are in place. Before the turbines get final approval, members of the Trees Not Turbines on Ontario’s West Coast, Ontario Wind Resistance, Middlesex Lambton Wind Action Group, WAIT Plympton-Wyoming and Wind Concerns Ontario are attempting to convince NextEra to stop the turbine invasion in the area. Read article Posted in Bats and Birds, Protest, Take Action | Leave a comment | Edit Hmm…OPA says they don’t have a map of the wind projects either… the search continues Posted on 03/27/2013 by windaction question-markThe OPA does not currently have a map of all OPA contracted wind facilities. There is a map of renewable generation on the Ministry of Energy’s website, however, it does not list all OPA contracted facilities, as well, it lists certain projects that are not contracted by the OPA. This is not an OPA map so we cannot verify it’s accuracy. http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/en/ontarios-electricity-system/new-energy-projects/ Best regards, The microFIT Team Posted in Ethics, Ministry of Energy, Ontario government | 14 Comments | Edit Thompson not big on Wynne’s visit Posted on 03/27/2013 by windaction 1297394437125_ORIGINALThe Dock 92.3 No surprise that the new Liberal premier didn’t get the warmest of greetings when she visited rural southwestern Ontario yesterday. Kathleen Wynne made stops in Middlesex and Huron Counties wearing both her premier and Ag Minister hats. In Clinton she took part in an agri-food round table after announcing a new risk management program for the corn-fed beef industry. Something Huron Bruce Tory M-P-P Lisa Thompson doesn’t think much of…says the ten million dollar announcement isn’t really a new idea… Thompson Thompson also says she’s anxious to see how Wynne does with the agriculture portfolio… Thompson And as expected…Wynne was greeted by a group of wind turbine protestors at her Clinton stop. Read article Posted in Ontario government, Protest | 2 Comments | Edit Pettapiece demands moratorium on wind farm development Posted on 03/27/2013 by windaction Posted in Municipalities of Ontario, Ontario government | 3 Comments | Edit PC’s introduce “Ensuring Affordable Energy Act” Posted on 03/27/2013 by windaction Lisa ThomsonMPP Lisa Thompson You have been clear—and Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak and the PC Caucus has listened. We need to do something immediately about industrial wind turbines in our communities. I was proud to introduce the Ensuring Affordable Energy Act today. We know that energy issues; particularly wind turbine issues have been of great concern in many communities, including my own riding of Huron-Bruce. The Ensuring Affordable Energy Act addresses many of these issues. The Ensuring Affordable Energy Act contains six key pillars: Wind turbines will only be placed in willing host communities, and municipalities will be given full veto over wind turbine projects in their communities; Wind power must be affordable—meaning the cost per kilowatt hour must line up with other sources of generation; The costly feed-in tariff (FIT) program will be eliminated; Municipalities will have the ability to decide whether or not they want to promote wind energy; The Niagara Escarpment and the Oak Ridges Moraine will be protected from wind turbines; and Municipalities will receive their planning powers for renewable energy back Continue reading → Posted in Ministry of Energy, Ontario government | 38 Comments | Edit McMurtry commentary on Chapman “nocebo” paper Posted on 03/27/2013 by windaction McMurtryDr. Robert McMurtry ‘Spatio-temporal differences in the history of health and noise complaints about Australian wind farms: evidence for the psychogenic, “communicated disease” hypothesis.’ Pre-Print: submitted for publication. Chapman S et al. 15 March 2013 This paper appears to require more vigorous editing or peer review in regards to its bibliography and many other elements (see below). The references are highly selective and appear to reflect a confirmation bias by referencing industry and their consultants sources while omitting more than 20 peer review publications regarding the presence of adverse health effects in the environs of industrial wind turbines. The introductory section has an editorial tone disclaiming the validity of reports before the research is undertaken. It has the appearance of stating the conclusions of the enquiry before critical analysis. The bias evident in this section undermines any claim to objectivity by the authors, particularly the senior author who has been making these same claims on his active “Crikey” blog site. The title of one the articles cited on the blog Simon Chapman states: “Latest wind farm research is a load of hot air”. The date of the article is October 14, 2011. This statement provides an insight into the senior author’s bias. He had reached the principle conclusion of his paper before publishing the research. Read article Posted in Health | 2 Comments | Edit Warden worried about second wave of wind energy; 900 turbines possible in southern Ontario Posted on 03/27/2013 by windaction CHATHAM - KENT ONTARIO KRUGER ENERGY PORT ALMA WIND FROM MERLIN ROAD 5Sarnia Lambton Independent Lambton County Warden Todd Case is worried southwestern Ontario will be flooded with industrial wind turbines when the provincial government offers energy contracts to large companies soon. He wants the provincial government to rethink the green energy agenda before awarding any more contracts to produce power. Case was recently in Windsor at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Sustainability Conference. He visited a wind turbine plant in the city where the talk was about the province’s next round of announcements for the Feed In Tariff (FIT) projects to large energy companies. Case says industry leaders expect that next round will place hundreds of turbines in southern Ontario and that has him worried. “There are rumblings from the government there will be about 900 expected in (the region) the second process,” says Case. Read article Posted in Green Energy Act, Municipalities of Ontario, Ontario government | 2 Comments | Edit Support sought for wind turbine moratorium Posted on 03/27/2013 by windaction kids signsBy Barbara Simpson, Sarnia Observer SARNIA - A concerned Lambton County resident is calling on the local public school board to support a moratorium on industrial wind turbines being built within the school board district. Plympton-Wyoming resident Keith Douglas said the board needs to act especially since wind projects are being proposed for sites near two Lambton Kent District schools. Scientific research shows wind turbines generate both audible and inaudible noise, which could potentially impact the health of students and teachers, Douglas told trustees. “Closing the windows in a school will not keep (low frequency sound) away from the children or teachers,” he said, adding low frequency sound has been linked to cases of motion sickness and disorientation. Suncor Energy Products is proposing to erect as many as 46 turbines in the area of Plympton-Wyoming, Lambton Shores and Warwick Township. Read article Posted in Health, Human Rights, Take Action | 2 Comments | Edit MOE Field Officer: “We were told no.” Posted on 03/27/2013 by windaction Ontario Ministry of Environment Officer Martin McConnochie November 29, 2012 at the home of a person affected by wind turbines. He explains why he could not measure the noise of the wind turbines on a particularly windy/noisy night. More evidence of corruption in this wind energy scandal. Posted in Ethics, Human Rights, Ministry of the Environment Ontario, Noise, Ontario government, Protest | 13 Comments | Edit Brockton Passes Turbine Motions Posted on 03/27/2013 by windaction 1_fullsizeBlackburn News Brockton is testing the new Premier to see if she’ll keep her word. Council approved two motions recently. The first calls for a peer review of the health study conducted by Grey Bruce Medical Officer of Health and the second calls for a moratorium on the construction of any new turbines. Councillor Anne-Louise Gibbons says they want to see if Premier Kathleen Wynne is true to her word. There are no plans yet for any wind developments in Brockton but Gibbons says when they come they want to be ready. Posted in Municipalities of Ontario | 4 Comments | Edit CTV News: Wind activists make noise at Wynne event](https://windaction.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ctv-wynne.jpg?w=604&h=355)
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne greeted by anti-wind protesters in Clinton
By Chip Martin, The London Free Press
She faced a hostile crowd of about 80 wind-turbine opponents later in Clinton, when she arrived to address a roundtable on agricultural issues sponsored by the Huron Chamber of Commerce. Huron-Bruce riding, which takes in Clinton, is considered hostile territory for Wynne and the Liberals because of opposition to turbines.
In the 2011 election, the riding opted against returning agriculture minister Carol Mitchell as MPP, a reflection of the fight against her party’s energy policies that have left 1,100 industrial wind turbines dotting rural Ontario with thousands more planned. “I am aware there are people outside who are angry,” Wynne said after running a gauntlet of signs, chants and catcalls, some amplified by loud hailers. Security was tight.
“I met a lot of people who are concerned about placement of wind turbines and how we could have a better process,” Wynne told the crowd of 100. Earlier, she told her Lucan audience Energy Minister Brad Duguid is modifying the approvals process for wind farms. The Liberals took away local control over where the massive wind turbines can be built, angering many in rural areas. Wynne said in Clinton she was in farm country to listen and she spent time over lunch hearing concerns of the chamber guests. Read article
Greta Thompson writes to Premier, politicians
By Bob Boughner, Chatham Daily News
[Excerpt] “I know how many good people there are in our rural farm communities and I believe farmers do care about their neighbours,” she said. ‘We can do better together.” Thompson said she considered selling her home in south Chatham-Kent because of nearby turbines but has been told she would have to list it for 50 to 55% of her investment or 30 to 40% of replacement value.
Thompson has also asked the Power Authority and Ministry of Environment to not allow the two closet turbines to her home to be activated until there is proof they won’t interfere with her husband’s ICD heart implant and until her other concerns have been satisfactorily addressed and resolved.
Thompson said she is opposed to any cash payments to municipalities, local residents and community trust funds by wind turbine companies. “If they believe something has to be done to address identified or perceived adverse impacts and feel some obligation to do something, any money made available should be used for physical protection and enhancement of the rural environment and rural family heritage,” she said. Read article
First, mega-turbines . . . now, giant poles
By Debora Van Brenk, The London Free Press
Get ready for the next tilt in Southwestern Ontario’s transformation into the province’s wind-energy hotbed: 10-storey-high poles to help collect all that power. Debora Van Brenk looks at the early static one wind energy giant’s plans are creating in Middlesex County.
A wind energy giant’s plan to put up 10-storey poles and high-voltage wires along Middlesex County roads is sparking energetic attention. The Ontario Energy Board will consider the application by NextEra Energy Canada to put up poles from its proposed three wind farms along about 30 km of Middlesex roads north and northwest of Strathroy. The county and two residents want permission to speak at a hearing — no date set yet — and more than 24 others have asked to be observers.
The county wants to make sure any poles on municipal rights-of-way don’t interfere with existing or planned infrastructure such as bridges, utilities or drainage ditches, Middlesex engineer Chris Traini. “Anything that would be of public use to the residents should take precedence over transmission poles,” he said.
The county is obligated to share its rights-of-way with utilities, and Traini said he wants to make sure residents’ interests are protected. Council has also expressed concerns about the possible effect on drivers of roadway sign and pole clutter. Traini said the county also wants the energy board to help draw lines of clear responsibility for maintenance and safety of the lines and poles. Read article
Real Estate Assoc. presents Doug Pedlar with Volunteer Leader Award for wind turbine education
Doug has been a gem for MLWAG and other wind action groups in Ontario with his ever changing, updated presentation that he has taken across the province to just about anyone who asks! Congratulation Doug – you truly deserve it!
London St. Thomas Association of Realtors – March 13, 2013
The Board of Directors of LSTAR congratulates Doug Pedlar, its 2013 President, on having won the prestigious 2012 Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) Volunteer Leader Award. This award recognizes an individual who has played an important role or addressed a major issue or challenge facing his or her association over the past year.
“In our estimation, Doug’s ongoing efforts over the past year to educate Organized Real Estate, real estate associations and the public on the potential negative impacts of wind turbines on human and animal health and on property values made him an absolute stand-out for the OREA Volunteer of the Year Award,” says Barb Whitney, 2012 LSTAR President. “Not only did he thoroughly research the issue himself and put together his own presentation on the subject, he took that presentation across the province in 2012, speaking to a total of twenty different groups.” Read article
MLWAG 