Huron Expositor, 2006-05-03, Page 5Opinion
The Huron Expositor • May 3, 2006 Page 5
Wind turbines producing only 30 per cent of the
time are no bonanza for farmers, says reader
To the Editor,
On Friday, April 7, there was an article in the
London Free Press about the wind turbines in
the Port Albert area.
These 22 wind turbines, when at full capacity,
will produce 40 megawatts of energy to feed
into the power grid. However, with the changes
that come with wind power, they will only pro-
duce (by Epcor's estimate) power about 30' per
cent of the time.
We cannot' depend on the main electrical grid
to fill in the gap in power as it is already over-
loaded. Loss of power can trigger brownouts or
in some cases total blackouts. It should be
Epcor's responsibility to provideturbine power.
As this company also has natural gas wells,
possibly a gas turbine would be the answer.
In spite of all the fanfare by the Minister of
Energy, Donna Cansfield, and the Mayor of
Goderich, Deb Shewfelt, 30 per cent power is a
pretty dismal amount at twice the price of con-
ventional power.
In some countries in Europe, they have devel-
oped technology that burns coal and with this
technology, combined with wind power, it pro-
duces safe, clean and reliable power.
As nuclear power cannot respond quickly
enough to loss of power, we will have to rely on
gas, turbines or coal. Natural gas is too expen-
sive so the only alternative is coal.
Before the Greenpeace people starting wring-
ing their hands, they should look into the newer
technology for coal -burning plants.
Wind turbines are no bonanza for farmers.
Farm land today is worth 10 times what it was
20 years ago and in another 20 years, it could
be worth 10 times more than today.
With turbines, farmers do not have free and
clear ownership.
Deb Shewfelt says "these windmills are a
thing of beauty." Why then did Goderich draft a
bylaw forbidding the building of turbines in
Goderich?
George McKinnon
RR6, Goderich'
Cosmetic pesticide use is an unnecessary poisoning
of the environment, says local doctor
To the Editor,
Re: Home and Garden Supplement, April 26
Pesticide exposure is linked to the causes of cancer, birth defects,
learning disabilities, infertility, neurological disorders and to environ-
mental degradation. All species are at risk, including humans, pets,
birds, butterflies, bees, fish and frogs.
Accordingly, it is hard to embrace a "50 to 60 per cent less pesticide" as
a cause for celebration. Let's save the celebration for when we are wise
enough not to use pesticides at all for cosmetic purposes.
This unnecessary poisoning of the environment, together with its dele-
terious effects on human health, is totally unacceptable.
Jim Hollingworth, M.D.,
Member'Canadian Association of Physicians for the
Environment
Goderich, Ont:
The Cardno Block, including Cardno Hall, is pictured during the early 1900s.
The Cardno Block is pictured in 2006.