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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2004-07-21, Page 33 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, July 21, 2004 News Company needs 30,000 more acres for wind farm By Cheryl Heath News -Record Editor Will wind win'? So far, Twenty -Two Degree Energy Corp., which is attempting to secure 35,000 acres of land for a 200 - megawatt $300 -million wind farm, is well short of its goal. Only 5,000 acres of land are under lease option in the company's targeted area, which is largely located in Goderich Township. Chuck Edey, Chief Operating Officer of the company, came out to Holmesville hall, along with a number of company representatives. Thursday for a public information meeting that drew hundreds of landowners that still harbour concerns about the viability of the project. Edey, a Kincardine resident, made a folksy pitch, that elicited a number of good- natured laughs, in an attempt to assure interested landowners that, in the end, everyone wins with wind. "I've been all over the world visiting wind turbines," says Edey, noting his hands-on experience in the energy field includes 25 years with the former Ontario Hydro as well as involvement in a number of wind projects including the Huron Wind development near the Bruce Power site. Edey made no bones about the fact the company has little interest in partnering with other development companies. He says Twenty -Two Degree Energy Corp. is attempting to acquire lease options on some sites to ensure other developers don't step in on the project as there are currently only five or six areas in Ontario that are viable spots for wind farms. There are now three land agents working in the region, says Edey, adding he has held a number of "kitchen table meetings" with area landowners. If enough land leases are acquired to 'forge ahead, the 200 -megawatt project would create enough energy to fuel 60,000 homes. In turn, the landowners that are on board with the company would receive an annual stipend of about $6,000 for what is likely to work out to one turbine per 100 acres of land. All told, says Edey, each turbine would require about an acre of land per farm. That figure includes the construction of a road to access the turbine. The company is also agreeing to cover the cost of municipal assessments, which were tax exempt for 10 years under the previous provincial government. As it stands, Twenty -Two Degree Energy Corp. has enough land under option to start a small project, but the company needs at least 14,000 acres to make the project feasible. Edey says landowners who are weary of signing lease options should note the company has no desire to rub them the wrong way since the project requires a long-term commitment and investment, meaning it only makes good business sense to ensure everyone walks away happy. He says other hurdles to overcome for the three-phase project, which is cyrrently in its preliminary stage, include acquiring zoning amendments from the municipality to allow for the installation of turbines. During a question period several landowners expressed support for the environment - friendly project, but the broad range of questions reveals several landowners are not yet sold on the idea. The cost of delivering wind -fuelled energy was one concern as. currently, energy costs about 5 cents per kilowatt-hour. Edey says that figure is likely to rise in the years to come. He adds that while wind energy could he killed at about 13 cents per kilowatt hour, which is considerably higher than gas, it is nonetheless true wind farms do not have to grapple with a wildly fluctuating market and high overhead. He says companies looking to budget for the long-term would be more likely to sign Cheryl Heath photo Chuck Edey, C.0.0. of Twenty -Two Degree Energy Corp., explains the benefits of wind power. on the dotted line with a wind farm than a gas supplier. "There are costs, but they are nothing compared to the gas bill," says Edey. Other landowners note concerns with the possibility that the wind farm may not work and they would then be stuck with the 117 -metre (383 feet) turbines. Edey notes the turbines, constructed' of 200,000 pounds of steel, would not he left behind because they would collect upwards of $3(X),000 in scrap metal. Another participant asked whether the company would consider providing free energy to a participating landowner in exchange for allowing the installation of a turbine. Edey says, in the long run, that type of arrangement would be to the detriment of the landowner that would likely be unhappy with the knowledge that a neighbouring landowner is receiving an indexed payment that has more value. Liability was another issue, but Edey notes the company will also pick up the tab for that cost with an $11 -million liability policy with all participating landowners on it so they are under no obligation. "We are trying to do the best we can," says Edey. "We need a community that thinks we are fair." Edey says another public meeting will be held once the company has created its first draft on where turbines should be placed. "This is not the first or last public consultation," he says. When It Comes To Protecting Your Assets.... Turn to the Professionals at GRAY INSURANCE BROKERS INC. 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