The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2010-09-23, Page 21THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2010. PAGE 21. Continued from page 1his research is being ignored bypoliticians due to money andpotential profit margins, and that hedisputes the value of any industrialwind turbine. Ian Hannah then took the stage and told the audience to mark down January 24-25 of 2011 on their calender, as that is the day that the Government, and CANWEA (The Canadian Wind Energy Association) will be facing Hannah and his community group in court over industrial turbines. “I’m a [Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY)],” Hannah shouted when he took the stand. “I’m a NIMBY and I’m proud! NIMBYs care about their family, their neighbours and their community.” Hannah went on to explain how he had tried to fight the government, bring them his concerns, and how the government had reacted to him, prompting him to retake NIMBY as his own warcry. “The government dismissed [all of the concerns around the turbines],” he said. “[They] acted like a schoolyard bully, shouting NIMBY. Well I am a NIMBY and I’m proud.” If the application that is being dealt with in the court system succeeds, according to Hannah, then members of CANWEA will no longer have the right to gain approval for new projects, and current projects will be halted for an indeterminate amount of time. “Nothing less [than the immediate halt of all turbine construction] is our goal,” he said. “We will prevail.” Hannah was followed by Engineer Bill Palmer, who shared several very intimidating facts about energygeneration, and one truth that spoketo everyone assembled; that windturbines are not the answer to theenergy crisis, he said.“[Wind energy] will not replace coal energy,” Palmer said. “ The government keeps pointing to Germany as a model of wind energy usage, but they haven’t closed down a single coal burning plant, they have actually built more.” The problem with wind energy, according to Palmer, is that, while it does produce green energy, it doesn’t produce enough of it, or produce it when it needs to be produced. Wind energy turbines, in 2009 in Ontario, according to Palmer, produced 80 per cent of their potential output less than three per cent of the time they were active. They produced less than 15 per cent of their output for 40 per cent of the time. Palmer stated that an answer is needed, but wind isn’t it, showing graphs that indicate that Canada’s natural energy solutions are fading. Petroleum reserves will last 37 years at projected rates in Canada, coal reserves will last 71 years at projected rates and nuclear energy production will last 37 to 100 years at the current rate, and wind can’t produce enough reliable energy to replace any of them. Palmer stated that wind turbines only produce energy during down times. The wind is the highest when people are sleeping, and have much lower energy consumption than normal. Wind turbines are also an oddity in power generation in that their failurerate is approximately 1,700 timeshigher than the expected failure ratesof energy other producing methods.“Tips can be thrown more than500 metres, the blade failure rate in Canada is more than four times of that in Europe, and towers can collapse,” he said. “The current setbacks are based on turbines that were less than half the size of the ones now - ice chunks can easily be thrown 211 metres for example, and the province requires only a 60 metre setback from roads and settlements.” Lastly, Palmer addressed the issue of the health concerns, and stated the turbines are working at different hours than they are needed, making them an ineffective method of replacing less green energy production. According to Palmer, wind shear (the differences in wind speed at ground level and at higher levels) is different during the day due to the sun warming the ground and causing updrafts. These updrafts cause wind, which mitigates some of the low frequency noise caused by the wind turbines if they run during the day. The wind shear at night, however, is drastically different. Without the sun to warm the ground, there is no buffer of wind to mitigate the noise caused by the much higher speed wind that turns the turbine. “The lack of ground wind means the turbines are clearly audible.” Palmer finished his presentation by stating that there is no free ride, and compared Ontario to other areas of the world that use wind production. Groups call for halt to turbines Making it bacon Allen Fretz was on bacon duty on Sunday as the Grey Fire Department held an old-style breakfast at Grey Central Public School, much to the delight of dozens of diners. (Vicky Bremner photo) Business Directory Affordable CAR AND TRUCK RENTALS Large & Small Trucks fridge carts - piano dollys- moving blankets Complete Selection of Cars Our rates qualify for insurance replacement Passenger Vans full size or mini STRICKLANDS 344 Huron Rd. 519-524-9381 GODERICH 1-800-338-1134 P.O. B OX 127 145 MAIN STREET EAST LISTOWEL, ONTARIO N4W 3H2 PHONE: 519-291-3040 Fax: 519-291-1850 Email: wuca@w-u.on.ca Visit our website www.wardanduptigrove.com TRUCK & TRAILER SERVICE Hours: Mon. - Fri. 7-5; Sat. 8-1 • Light Truck, Automotive Repairs & Certifications • Truck, Trailer & Bus Safety Certifications • All Heavy Truck & Trailer Repairs BLYTH 519-523-9681 1-800-276-4163 24 hours 519-524-0599 Truck & Trailer Repair Facility Supplier of quality parts for trucks, trailers & equipment ~ Light truck & automotive parts ▼▼▼▼▼▼ NEW CONSTRUCTION AGRICULTURAL RENOVATIONS RESIDENTIAL C a l l 519-527-1538 Tarion Home Warranty Builders ZAHND REAL ESTATE LTD. BROKERAGE P.O. Box 38 Listowel, Ontario N4W 3H2 Claude Robin Broker 519-887-6205 Kurt Keller Sales Representative 519-236-7874 www.zahnd.on.ca JAMES BROWN PHARMACY 198 Josephine St., Wingham, Ont. 519-357-1629 Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9 - 6 Sat. 9 - 4 Rear Parking Available Delivery available TREE SERVICE • Tree Trimming & Removal • Aerial Buckets • Snow Removal • Stump Grinding & Removal Free Estimate 24 Hour Emergency Response Cell 519-525-1601 ON $6.00 THURSDAYS Drop into either of our offices any Thursday with your word classified (maximum 20 words) and pay only $6.00 + HST (paid in advance). That’s $1.00 off regular rates. The Citizen Here Comes the Guide! Getting married? In a wedding? Mother of the bride? Visit our website for all things bridal! www.northhuron.on.ca (click on Brides In Huron)