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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-05-24, Page 20A grand scale renewable energyinformation day is coming to HuronCounty courtesy of the Centre for Applied Renewable Energy. That’s what CfARE manager Joan van der Meer calls it. She’s putting together the Renewable Energy Summit 2007 in Goderich and says it’s borne out of the success of the centre’s information nights that have drawn quite the attendance. “Our information nights have been really well-attended. I would say an average of 30 people came to each one,” van der Meer says. “So we had to move from our site to the Library, then from the Library to the Community Centre to have enough room to accommodate everyone.” While several details about the show are still in the works, van der Meer expects approximately 35 different booths of renewable energy organizations. And narrowing it down to 35 may be tough, as van der Meer says she has been contacted by over 50 different people interested in participating in the show. The show will take place between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Aug. 8 at the Columbus Centre in Goderich, will be totally free, and van der Meer says there will be something for everyone. “We wanted to have something that appealed to families, and with it being tourist time, that’s why we thought we’d have it in Goderich,” she said. “We just thought there should be a little something for everyone so they can see what’s out there and they can learn something and have a bit of fun too.” In addition to the 35 booths of information, products and services, van der Meer hopes to include mini- seminars on several topics that have yet to be determined. The Scientists in Schools will also be conducting a children’s program from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., something hands-on and interactive to help kids learn about renewable energy. The night will be capped off by Victoria Serda presenting Al Gore’s slideshow from his Academy Award- winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth, that will be followed by a panel discussion featuring local experts. Serda, who has given this presentation all over Huron County, is one of the few trained to give Gore’s presentation. There will also be a demonstration by the Blue Sky Solar Racing Team, demonstrating their solar-powered car technology from the University of Toronto. In 2006, van der Meer attended several area renewable energy conferences and felt interest was growing. She also felt it was the centre’s responsibility to bring this information to the people of Huron County, although she has received a lot of support from other area centres. The supporters include the Elora Centre for Environmental Excellence, Huron County Planning and Development Department, Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, Saugeen Economic Development Corporation and the Huron Small Business Enterprise Centre. “I was at a few of theseconferences last year and people areinterested in renewable energytechnology,” she said. “People want to know what’s outthere and it’s an opportunity for people to gather in one spot and access different suppliers.” After exploding onto the scene, as van der Meer puts it, the CfARE is now six months strong and looks forward to this event, hoping it can extend the centre’s reach fromBrussels all throughout HuronCounty.“What I want out of the day is theopportunity to spread the word aboutenergy efficiencies, who people can go to for information,” she said. “We’re hoping that a good number of people will come by and pick up information and it’s also a networking opportunity for people as well.” PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2007.Energy summit in Goderich Havoc Mother Nature did a bit of rearranging as she stormed through the area last week. Orville Storey’s property, south of Winthrop, was one of the hardest hit. Top to bottom: folks were on hand Wednesday, May 16 to help clean up the mess; a shed finds a new resting place; buried under the rubble is a visiting neighbour’s truck; huge trees were uprooted, falling just short of the family’s home. (Shawn Loughlin photo) By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen As a point of clarification, Huron East is dedicating $15,000 to civic beautification throughout the municipality of Huron East. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. Correction NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CONCERNING A PROPOSED ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT AFFECTING THE MUNICIPALITY OF CENTRAL HURON TO REGULATE WIND ENERGY FACILITIES TAKE NOTICE that Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Central Huron will hold a public meeting on Saturday, June 16, 2006 at 10:00 a.m.in the Holmesville Community Centre, 180 Community Centre Dr., Holmesville, to consider a proposed zoning by-law amendment under Section 34 of the Planning Act. ANY PERSON may attend the public meeting and/or make writ- ten or verbal representation either in support or in opposition to the proposed zoning by-law amendment. IF A PERSON or public body that files an appeal of a decision of the Corporation of the Municipality of Central Huron in respect to the proposed zoning by-law amendment does not make oral sub- missions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the Corporation of the Municipality of Central Huron before the pro- posed zoning by-law amendment is adopted, the Ontario Municipal Board may dismiss all or part of the appeal. INFORMATION relating to the proposed zoning by-law amend- ment is available for inspection during regular office hours at the Municipality of Central Huron Municipal Office (23 Albert St. Clinton) (519) 482-3997. Dated at the Municipality of Central Huron this 16th day of May, 2007 Richard Harding, Clerk Administrator, Municipality of Central Huron Box 400 Clinton, ON, N0M 1L0 PURPOSE AND EFFECT The purpose of the proposed zoning by-law amendment is to introduce regulations governing the siting of wind energy facilities (wind turbines) within the Municipality. The types of facilities are defined and the setbacks are established. Setbacks are also established for the construction of sensitive land uses in proximity to wind energy facilities. Commercial scale wind energy facilities (capacity greater than 500kW) are permitted in agricultural zones, subject to a rezoning and site plan control application. Commercial scale wind energy facilities are required to be setback a minimum of 600 metres from urban, recreational and institutional land uses. Small scale wind energy facilities (capacity of 500kW or less) are permitted in the agricultural zones as an accessory use, subject to siting requirements. Small scale wind energy facilities (capacity of 50kW or less) are permitted in defined urban zones as an acces- sory use, subject to siting requirements. This by-law amends the following three zoning by-laws: 1. By-law 7-1985 of the former Town of Clinton 2. By-law 16-1987 of the former Township of Hullett 3. By-law 6-1984 of the former Township of Goderich All of these former municipalities are part of the Corporation of the Municipality of Central Huron. This by-law applies to all lands within the Municipality of Central Huron as shown on Schedule A