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Opinion
The Huron Expositor • July 15, 2009 Poge 5
Provincialgovernment let the wind industry do their
homework when drafting the Green Energy Act
To the Editor,
The Green Energy Act, conceived
and drafted mainly by the wind en-
ergyindustry, is a blatant abuse
of power by McGuinty and Smith-
erman. Our rights were seriously
eroded before it came into existence
and they took it a step. further.
In a very short three years, major
wind projects have been put into
operation. The significant health
problems that surfaced can be at-
tributed directly to the provincial
government's woeful "guidelines"
for turbine placement.
This government did not do their
homework. Thi let the wind in-
dustry do it for them. Municipali-
ties with projects in their areas
know, firsthand, how much trouble
they are.
When they tried to stop existing
projects from expanding, they were
taken to the Ontario Municipal
Board where they were told they
had to allow turbines because the
provincial government said so.
Rather than putting a check on
wind energy development and set-
backs, this Liberal government has
decided to do minimal homework
with no independent study.
They have wrapped dictatorship
up in a "we care about the environ-
ment" blanket and are using it to
try to cover their lack of account-
ability and to smother our rights.
There needs to be an inquiry into
the whole process. There needs to
be accountability and reparation to
the people who have already been
harmed because .of a lack of dili-
gence by government.
The wind industry is scurrying to
get projects up this summer before
new government regulations are
set. While this government dith-
ers along trying to figure out what
regulations they should go by, there
needs to be a complete halt on any
more development.
It is nothing less than criminal
negligence for any more wind tur-
bines to be built in this province
until regulations that protect our
health are in place.
Lorrie Gillis
RR 4
. Flesherton
Opposition to current wind turbine designs not based on fear
of change or lack of forward -thinking, says reader
To the Editor,
I write to those who are consider-
ing or who have decided to involve
their land with wind energy devel-
opers.
Support for ceasing reliance on
non-renewable energy sources is
great; as there is little question
that such an achievement will be
enjoyed and profitable for all in a
wealth of ways.
Opposition to current wind turbine
project, designs and the proposed
provincial approval regulations are
not a result of fear of change or a
lack of forward -thinking.
Rather, it is founded on the ide-
al method of forming a position or
making 'a decision: making a con-
certed and honest effort to under-
stand the facts and evidence before
you, to weigh the advantages and
drawbacks and determine their
congruence with your values and
goals.
Often, it is - not only ethical but
necessary, to consider how your
choices and actions will impact oth-
ers. Allowing your land to enable a
wind turbine project can adversely
Faces froili the Past
affect your neighbours and the
character of your community.
Everyone operates from imperfect
knowledge, but there is no denying
the existence of credible evidence
linking some commercial wind proj-
ects to adverse health effects, de-
valuation of land and property, and
unacceptable environmental dam-
age. Ignorance is only a defence un-
til it becomes wilful blindness.
Evidence of this scale and con-
sequence is more than sufficient
grounds to justify my opposition
and certainly to demand for further
study and understanding of wind
turbines.
If it is money that motivates you,
of this everyone is guilty, and to a
degree entitled, but it may prove a
weak justification. I am not afraid
of being mistaken; the only conse-
quence it brings is a healthier en-
ergy source to my back yard.
Clare Murray
RR1
Dublin, Ont.
All letters must be signed
and include an address and
phone number. Letters will
be edited for grammar, punc-
tuation,
spelling, length and libel.
•
The All -Ontario intermediate `B'
Champs In 1965-66 were the Sea -
forth Beavers including in the front
row from left, Gar Baker, Larry Dale,
Bob Beuttenmilier, Kenny Doig Jr.
with the cup, Jack McElwain, Bob
Doig and Cliff Petrie, in the sec-
ond row, Jim Collins, Bill Teal!, Jim
Sills, Ed Dolmage, Ken Doig, Tom
Dick and Jim Dick and in the third
row, Ray Anstett, Wayne Rau, Bill
McLaughlin, Don Morton and Roy
McGonigle.
Frank Phillips photo