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Industrial Wind Action: News Watch- Green electricity finds few customers in Mass.; Wind farms bring higher NStar bills
- Clean energy coalition won't make ballot in 2012
- NY town's battle over wind power makes it to the Big Screen
- Faced with notice of ESA violations, FWS agrees to reconsider Shaffer Mountain biological opinion
- Turbine fire in high winds
- Wind turbine catches on fire
- South Jersey energy company could be first in country to generate wind power off-shore
- Puerto Rico divided over energy future
- National Wind Watch: News Watch
- Wind-turbine fire under investigation
- Public hears ill wind blows from turbines
- Braeshore residents oppose wind turbine proposal
- Group to appeal court OK of Wasatch wind farm in Wyoming
- Students protest charges
- ‘Giant’ disturbs slumber
- Joy as reporter blows away appeal over wind turbine plan for Broadmeadows
- MOD urges councillors to reject wind turbines plans
NA-PAW
‘Giant’ disturbs slumber in Nova Scotia
by Jennifer Vardy Little The News
BAILEY’S BROOK – Kristin Overmyer can’t sleep at night and he says the giant in his backyard is to blame. Kristin and Susan Overmyer were two of the members of the Eco Awareness Society, which fought against the construction of wind turbines in Bailey’s Brook, but lost an appeal in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia to block Sheer Wind from constructing the wind field because they were too late.
The couple spoke about their experiences living in the shadow of wind turbines at a public meeting in Braeshore Saturday, where another group of concerned citizens have formed a committee to oppose the construction of a much smaller-scale wind field development. Continue reading
Posted in Noise
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Local farmer’s presentation to OFA contributes to policy statement
By Susan Hundertmark, Mitchell Advocate
A recent presentation to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture board by two HEAT (Huron East Against Turbines) members contributed towards a recent OFA position statement calling on the provincial government to “suspend the invasion of rural Ontario with industrial wind turbines.”
Mark Wales, OFA president, said in a phone interview last week that a power-point presentation by St. Columban farmer Tom Melady and his sister Jeanne is an example of what he’s been hearing from farmers across Southwestern Ontario. Read article
Posted in Agriculture
7 Comments
Manitoulin Island band wants wind projects delayed
By Ruth Farquhar, Sudbury Star
I was driving through M’Chigeeng the other day and wondered how long it will be before the two industrial wind turbines are up and running. Nothing much has happened since they were erected on the bluff. They don’t even have any lights on them. (I hope they aren’t on anyone’s flight path.) The big wind project on MacLean’s Mountain, near Little Current, is awaiting approval from the Ministry of the Environment. Two things have happened that may have impact on this and any upcoming projects for the Island. One is the recent press release from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture that asked the province to suspend development of industrial turbine projects. Read article
IESO: Cutting Wind Power Cuts CO2 Emissions
By Tom Adams
According to the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator, reducing wind power output during now common surplus supply conditions will save megatonnes of CO2 emissions. Not only will cutting wind power cut emissions but consumers will save millions of dollars too. Consumers save despite Ontario wind generators getting paid for power they could have produced when consumers can’t use their power. The root cause for these counter intuitive results is that wind power’s production characteristics are mostly out of sync with consumer needs. Given the production and demand characteristics of the rest of Ontario’s power system, wind power has grown to the point where it has become toxic to the system. Read article
Posted in Viability
2 Comments
OFA’s switch on wind power sends a chill
By JIM MERRIAM, Sudbury Star
When it came to government relations, Ontario’s largest farm organization, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), often seemed to adopt the philosophy “go along to get along.” Certainly, at times, the OFA found itself in conflict with the provincial government, but it was civil conflict. One example involved the introduction of the Clean Water Act in 2006. Continue reading
Posted in Agriculture
27 Comments
A north wind doth blow . . . (III)
by Rob Bredin, Orangeville Citizen
Excerpt: Premier McGuinty’s metier has been, by and large, eco-industrial myth-making; but this myth-making is deep within the political D.N.A. of the modern Liberal establishment. The new Liberal Party of Canada president is Mike “The Wind” Crawley, Toronto-based Ontario C.E.O. of AIM Power (IPC) Corporation, which has put turbines into, or proposed them for, the provincial ridings of Essex, Haldimand-Norfolk, and Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, where people are either sick of them or made sick by them, as has been the case in northern Dufferin County.
Ultimately, throughout Ontario, households will pay, and pay, and pay for the pursuit of this myth, as the industrial phase changes in our times, with this government undertaking to chart the new course, but from which strong global (economic) winds will likely blow it. Read article
Posted in Green Energy Act, Ontario government
7 Comments
Northumberland-Quinte West MPP supports OFA
Trentonian
A local MPP is blowing off wind power in favour hydro generated electricity. Rob Milligan is siding with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture in demanding the provincial government suspend the construction of wind power generation projects. The OFA has identified four key areas of concern – the health risks related to the operation of wind turbines; the concern over the loss of farmland; the economic risks to adjacent properties and the fact that the entire wind development program has created huge divisions within rural communities. Read article
Posted in OWR
9 Comments
Victoria Haliburton Federation of Agriculture supports OFA wind turbine opposition
By Peggy Armstrong, Lindsay Post
LINDSAY – The Victoria Haliburton Federation of Agriculture says the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s (OFA) call for a halt to industrial wind turbine projects in the province makes sense. The OFA issued a statement late last week that the wind turbines are creating an “untenable” situation by polarizing rural communities. “If you get a rent cheque (for a wind turbine), it’s pretty good. If you live next door, it’s not as good,” said Terry Parker, VFHA media relations person, in an interview. He said the OFA’s demand for a moratorium “makes perfect sense to me.” Read article
Posted in Agriculture
4 Comments
Brief from Multi-Municipal Wind Turbine Working Group to Ministry of Energy re Feed in Tariffs
Courtesy: Bill Palmer
On Wednesday, 4 members of the Multi-Municipality Wind Turbine Working Group had a telephone conference call with 2 Senior Policy Advisiors from the Renewable Energy Facilitation Office of the Ministry of Energy. At the end of the discussion, the Ministry reps noted that they “cannot guarantee to do what was asked” but they would “speak to (their) manager and get this into the right hands.”
- Briefing MMWTAG to Ontario Ministry of Energy
- Questions from Auditor General Renewables
- Threats from Wind Turbines to Ontario Wildlife and Biodiversity
Summary of Requests of the Multi-Municipal Wind Turbine Working Group:
Request 1: We formally request that our comments be incorporated in the input to the Feed in Tariff Review, and ask consideration be given to open the window for others to comment, as many did not even know of the opportunity. Continue reading
Chatham-Kent MPP on board with OFA
Rick Nicholls, MPP
ENIVRONMENT: Support for wind energy moratorium
By Bob Boughner, Chatham Daily News
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s demand for a halt to future wind turbine construction has the support of Rick Nicholls of Chatham. The Chatham-Kent Essex MPP said Thursday he supports the farm organization’s position on a moratorium on new and not-yet approved projects. The MPP stopped short of demanding a halt on work slated to begin next week on an already-approved $600 million wind turbine project that will see an additional 110 turbines constructed in Chatham-Kent. Read article
Posted in Ontario government
3 Comments
Grand Bend: Important Public Information Meeting
Thursday February 16th, 2012, 7:00 PM
Grand Bend Public School, 15 Gill Road, Grand Bend MAP
Continue reading
Posted in OWR
5 Comments
Aid for turbine victims sought
Brown Co. panel: State should pay medical bills for those near wind farm
Green Bay Press Gazette
Wisconsin should pay the medical bills of Brown County residents who were made ill by industrial wind turbines, some county supervisors say. Saying the state allowed “irresponsible placement” of industrial wind turbines in the Glenmore area, the Brown County Human Services Committee has approved a measure to ask the state to pay emergency aid to families living near the Shirley Wind Farm. Read article
Posted in Health
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Energy critic warns of another hydro cost increase
by Mary Beth Hartill, Cottage Country Now
MAGNETAWAN – The energy critic didn’t mince words when it comes to green energy and skyrocketing costs in Ontario. Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli took a couple of sharp jabs at the Green Energy Act and warned Ontarians that hydro prices are set to climb. Fedeli, who was speaking at the Muskoka-East Nipissing-Parry Sound Cattlemen’s Association annual meeting in Magnetawan on Saturday, Jan. 21, stated that smart meters are just one reason why energy prices will climb. Read article
Posted in Green Energy Act, Subsidies / Costs
2 Comments
Wind company prez: ‘We’re not hiding anything’
By Dave Johnson, Dunnville Chronicle
WAINFLEET – Township council has blown off a request by Wainfleet Wind Energy Inc. and IPC Energy to use an unopened portion of Side Road 22 in the township. IPC Energy, working on behalf of Wainfleet Wind Energy Inc., sought the unopened road allowance to give it access to one of its proposed wind turbine sites. The stretch of Side Road 22 (also known as Brawn Rd.) would have been from Abbey Road south to Concession 1. Read article
Posted in Municipalities of Ontario
1 Comment
An audience with the WTO: Japan and EU come forward with grievances against Ontario FiTs
By Nilima Choudhury, PVTech
Almost a year and a half ago, Japan brought its grievances against FiTs in the Canadian province of Ontario to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The EU has now joined the fray and the WTO Dispute Settlement Body has committed itself to establishing a panel to hear the EU’s claims against the apparent discriminatory nature of Ontario’s FiTs. Formal panel proceedings, however, are not expected to start before the end of March. Read article
Posted in Green Energy Act, Wind Industry
4 Comments
CAW faces boycott over Port Elgin wind turbine
by John Spears, Toronto Star
A Port Elgin community group has launched a boycott of products made by CAW members to protest a wind turbine being erected by the union in town. The group, known as STOP, will target any workplace where members of the Canadian Auto Workers are employed, said spokesperson Karen Hunter. That includes auto makers, airlines and retailers organized by the CAW, she said. In Port Elgin itself, the group is calling for a boycott of the CAW banquet hall, the town’s biggest facility. Continue reading
Adelaide Metcalfe council urged to repeal building fee
by Debora Van Brenk, London Free Press
Wind-turbine opponents are demanding Adelaide Metcalfe council repeal a new turbine-building fee it imposed unexpectedly and without notifying them.The rural township west of Strathroy, where two companies are proposing to build 68 wind turbines, approved a $10,000-per-turbine fee at a Jan. 16 meeting.Last month, scores of people attended a council meeting to ask the fee charged be even higher than that.The issue was set aside so staff could learn what other municipalities charge.”I was flabbergasted,” said activist Esther Wrightman, to discover from a councillor’s Facebook page that in one night council had proposed, debated, approved and passed into bylaw the new fees. “I didn’t believe it at first.” Read article
Posted in Municipalities of Ontario
2 Comments
Firm offers to be test subject for wind projects
By Peter Hendra, The Whig-Standard
If the Ontario government wants to study the effects of offshore wind projects before it lifts its moratorium on them, Windstream Energy Inc. boss Ian Baines says he knows of a suitable test subject — his company’s proposed Wolfe Island shoals project. “The government, as we understand it, wants the moratorium to remain in place so they can study the science,” Baines offered Wednesday, “but they have to have an actual project to study.
“We’re offering our project.” Read article
Posted in Offshore
11 Comments
Questions swirl over Ontario offshore wind power generation projects
Vic Fedeli
by Kelly Lapointe, Daily Commercial News
Recent news reports about the Windstream Wolfe Island Shoals offshore wind project in Lake Ontario have spurred concerns from the province’s Progressive Conservative energy critic. In February 2011, the province announced a moratorium on offshore wind projects to wait for scientific research to be conducted. Potential issues include how noise behaves over water and ice, foundation designs, water quality impacts and impacts to shoreline ecosystems and wildlife. Read article
Posted in Offshore
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Awaiting an alternative plan
EMC Perth Editorial
Excerpt: These slow economic times may be a blessing in disguise as rural Ontario takes a breath to think over the wind turbine issue. In a recent note of caution from the OFA the province is asked to pay special attention to the developing tensions between rural residents and community neighbours regarding this alternative energy source.
The OFA wants issues such as health, pricing, the efficiency of wind power, setback issues and the loss of municipal input about industrial wind turbine projects to be placed on the table for discussion. The province is not about to run out of power in the foreseeable future but the OFA’s request for resolution or at least a very loud argument about wind power may be just what the area needs to set the stage for what comes next. It is time to make a plan. Read article
Posted in Agriculture, Ontario government
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On green energy, the PM was right. His critics were wrong
by Lorrie Goldstien, Toronto Sun
If Canada’s “green” media — especially in the Parliamentary Press Gallery — demanded the same standards of accountability of themselves as they do of politicians, they would be killing entire forests right now apologizing to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Why? Because in sidestepping the economically suicidal stampede onto the green energy bandwagon which they relentlessly shilled for, Harper was right and they — along with the Liberals, NDP, Bloc and Greens — were wrong. Read article
Posted in Canadian Government, Wind Industry
9 Comments
Ontario government’s criminal negligence
Many homes in Ontario are closer than 400m to turbines (pre-GEA approval)
Vesta Turbine Operating Manual (page 3) 2. Stay and Traffic by the Turbine
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Do not stay within a radius of 400m (1300ft) from the turbine unless it is necessary. If you have to inspect an operating turbine from the ground, do not stay under the rotor plane but observe the rotor from the front.
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Make sure that children do not stay by or play nearby the turbine. If necessary, fence the foundation.
Posted in Safety
7 Comments
Rural leverage empowers OFA
By Bruce Corcoran, Chatham Daily News
Just what agenda is Mark Wales and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture following these days? Wind turbine proponents, including Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope, are blown over by the OFA’s about face on wind turbines. Suddenly, with Wales on board as president, the OFA went from fan of the spinning blades of renewable energy to a group that wants to pull the plug on these projects. Why? Read article
Posted in Agriculture
20 Comments
Zephyr project under construction despite Appeal
Zephyr wind project near Watford, Ontario
The crane got stuck on on the township’s corner road.
Today was ‘repair’ day.
Posted in Legal, Wind Industry
7 Comments
Arran-Elderslie council backs OFA moratorium on wind turbine construction
By Mary Golem, Owen Sun Times
Arran-Elderslie council is backing an Ontario Federation of Agriculture request for a moratorium on construction of industrial wind turbines in the province. The OFA, which has about 37,000 members, on Friday called for the suspension of wind turbine construction across the province until concerns such as possible health effects, setbacks, property devaluation and destruction of wildlife habitats are properly studied and addressed. Read article
Be wary of the green monster
Shoreline Beacon
As it rises from the ground it reminds me of something designed by a committee, where everyone’s input has to be considered. I am sure that someone thought it would be great symbolism to paint it green. Yes, it will be a 30 story striped green tower with a red flashing light. That should blend nicely into a surrounding neighbourhood of trees and 1 to 2 storey residences. Why, you’ll barely notice it! Too bad they did not truly consider the neighbourhood. One might surmise that a good neighbour would have had an information meeting more recently than August 2005. Can you imagine the moral indignation from the CAW if a corporation were to use 6 year old data when discussing Health and Safety during a contract negotiation or if the government was to make changes to the labour laws and not consult the CAW! Continue reading
Chatham-Kent wind mega-project starts Monday
ENERGY: 110 turbines to be constructed, despite concerns
By Bob Boughner, Chatham Daily News
The Daily News has learned initial work on a new $600 million wind turbine project in Chatham-Kent will begin next week. The approved project is not impacted by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s demand for a moratorium on all future wind turbine projects in Ontario. OFA president Mark Wales, interviewed by phone Tuesday – while enroute to meet with Ontario Energy Minister Chris Bentley – said there appeared to be some confusion by the public on the farm organization’s stance. “We are asking the government to not issue any new contracts for wind turbine construction until a number of key issues have been dealt with,” he said. Read article
Turbine development will be remembered as major boondoggle
“Who were the idiots that got us into all this mess?”
by Jim Shea Stratford Beacon Herald
Why is it our government “can’t seem to see the forest for the trees.” The rural people of Ontario were asking for a moratorium on wind turbines regarding issues such as health issues, increased setbacks, land devaluation even before the Green Energy Act was established. The ignorance of those who voted for it has caused genuine conflict right across our province. Is it because they haven’t got minds of their own or do they just follow their leader when he says, “Do as I say, not what I do”? His new bill aimed at preventing bullying should include: “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.” Does rural Ontario ring a bell with him? If he’s going to walk the walk, he’d better talk the talk. Right Dalton? Continue reading
