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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2009-07-29, Page 11Interest Hilary Long The ,controversy that has sur- rounded the possible wind turbine development in Huron East may now be seen in West Perth. Two weeks ago, residents in the Logan Ward received letters from Renewable Energy Systems Ameri- ca's Inc. (RES Americas) informing them that they had been chosen as a site for a wind tower. "I have been getting a lot of ques- tions about this," Mayor John Van Bakel told council on. July 13. "The letter that people got gives the gen- eral opinion that they have been chosen as site for a wind tower and by that they get the idea that a wind tower will be put on their farm. I keep assuring people that if they say no that is the end of it." . Mayor Van Bakel told council RES Americas is exploring the possibility of wind towers in Logan Ward, north of Perth Line 44 and south of Perth Line 55 arid from the 'east and west boundary of the ward. "From what I understand these turbines are going to be larger than the ones proposed in Huron East," he said, adding the company is look- ing to install 40 to 75 units. He said what RES Americas first wants to do is gauge the support or lack there of for such a project. "That's the first step and if they don't have the support then RES. Americas is not going to pursue it. If there is support out there and they do pursue it, then they will try to put THE SECRET GODERICH - A new free report has recently been released that reveals how to stay healthy for lifel How to heal yourself and others. Relieve headaches, arthritis,, cold & flue, insomnia, cancer, backaches, leg pain, hot flashes, depression and more. Using the power and sensitivity of your own mind get rid of stress & tension which causes illness & reverse diabetes & obesity. For.your free report call Chris Morgan, Ph:D at 519-524-5724 73 Hamilton St, Goderich. Municipality of Huron East NOTICE Huron East Municipal Council CHANGES TO REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULE August 18th rescheduled to August 25th 7:00pm September 15th rescheduled ,to September 22nd 7:OOpm • J. R. McLachlan Clerk -Administrator News The Huron Expositor • July 29, 2009 Page 11 in wind turbines for West Perth options on some or all of the land in the area," he said. "RES will then put up some wind sensing towers to gauge the wind so they can pinpoint if and where they should be putting up wind towers. When that information comes back, then they would go to those areas where they thought the wind was best and try to negotiate with the landowners to put up wind towers," said Van Bakel. "This is all a long process." Mayor Van Bakel said there are some significant differences between this proposed project and the one in Huron East. "The differences between this one and the one in St. Columban, at least between the two companies, is in St. Columban they are, talking about wind projects of a cluster of five or six wind towers in each cluster. In this case they are not interested in a small cluster, they are looking at a wind farm of aproximately 100 mega watt power and that determines how many wind towers they put up," he said. "The second difference is that these people. (RES Americas), is that when they do negotiate a deal for wind . towers they do a community outlook where they pay - and I don't know I t 's Easy . i vitlg Green Trade Show August 5, 2009 11:00 any- .• 5:00 ppm 1'he ('olitmhus Centre 390 Parsons (_'toll (.;oderich, o Showcasing B1 Renewable energy technologies & efficiencies for homes, farms, cottages & businesses Ed information sessions 1 pm The House as System 2 pm Insulated Concrete Form Construction 3 pm Find the $Grnon$ in Green Energy Scientists in School 12:30 pm —4:00 pm Children's Activities for kids 5-10 United. Sponsored by Free Admission Knights of Columbus Food Booth Trade Show sponsored by Cftiar 46). SOW Om For information call Jackie at 519-887-2694 ext 200 the amounts - the landowner and surrounding landowner, rather then just the land owner," he said. "The third difference is that they are committeed to - if they do put in the wind farm - put all the wires un- derground to one collection point for the whole project," said Van Bakel. And while Mayor Van Bakel said he doesn't see anything happening in the . near future, West Perth may not be the regulating body once tow- ers are being put up. The provincial government passed the Ontario Energy Act, Bill 150, and they are at the point now where you can post comments on their web- site because they haven't got all the regulations set, he added. "They (the province) are in the•pro- cess of determining what the regula- tions are going to be as far as set- back from houses and lot lines and other things are concerned. At the Huron East meeting it's speculation that it could be a year to a year and a half before those regulations are finalized," he said. Mayor Van Bakel said he has talk- ed to Perth -Wellington MPP John Wilkinson about the -natter. "He said when those regulations are posted and finalized, then the province will be the regulating body that people have to adhere to. The municipal guidelines will account for nothing and I have a problem with that but that is going to be the situationwhen the regulation are fi- nalized," said Van Bakel. "Up until that time, we are still the force that they (wind energy com- panies) have . to deal with as far as setbacks are concerned,' he added. "But there are so many negative comments about this that I don't see anything moving ahead under the municipal structure." "This company seems to be recep- tive to input from the municipality and the ratepayers," he noted. There is an information night scheduled for July 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Brodhagen Community Hall for residents to find out more about . RES Americas and their pro- posed project. IMPORTANT NOTICE v To all Central Huron Property Owners The Municipality of Central Huron has a new Draft Zoning By-law. This document brings the three former zoning by-laws (Town of Clinton, Township of Goderich and Township of Hullett) into one document for the Municipality of Central Huron. The new by-law has been updated to be consistent with the Central Huron Official Pian and also provincial poli- cies and current mapping. As a result of this update the zoning on many properties has changed, and this may affect the use of your property. 'The Municipality of Central Huron will be holding three Open House meetings for property owners to attend as follows: For the Lakeshore communities: Date and Time: Saturday, August 1, 2009 - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Location: Holmesville Community Centre -180 Community Centre Drive For the Agricultural/Rural communities: Date and Time: Tuesday, August 4, 2009 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Location: REACH -169 Beech Street, Clinton A General Open House: Date and Time: Saturday, August 8, 2009 - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Location: REACH -169 Beech Street, Clinton The draft can be viewed on the Central Huron website (www.centralhuron.com) and at the following locations: Clinton Public Library, 27 Rattenbury Street East, Clinton Central Huron Municipal Office, 23 Albert Street, Clinton ➢ Huron County Planning Department, 57 Napier St, Goderich We encourage all property owners to view the draft by-law and attend an Open House. We look forward to seeing you there.