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Lakeshore Advance, 2011-02-16, Page 15Offshore off the table CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 1 "Can these be constructed without negatively impacting the environment? We don't have the science to draw from :o make that determination so the ar' answer is no," said John Wilkinson, Minister of the Environment in an inter- view with The Kincardine News on Friday. The release said offshore wind in freshwater lakes is in early develop- ment" and no projects currently operate in North America. Wilkinson said this impacts at least one contract to his knowledge. "Applications for offshore wind projects in the Feed-In-Thriff (FIT) pro- gram will no longer be accepted and current applications will be suspended," said Leslie O'Leary, associate press sec- retary for the Premier via a -mail. The province said it will continue to monitor the new Lake Vanern pilot project in Sweden and its scientific data, while working on research with the United States to "ensure any future pro- posed projects protect the environment on both sides of the Great Lakes." "Offshore wind on freshwater lakes is a recent concept that requires a cautious approach until the science of environ- mental impact is clear," said Wilkinson. "In contrast, the science concerning land based wind is extensive." Ontario maintains its committed to renewable energy as part of its Open Ontario Plan to create clean energy jobs, while "improving air quality by closing coal-fired generation." The issue first caused public outrage last August when QMI Agency learned through the local anti -wind power group, Huron -Kinloss Against Lake- shore Turbines (HALT), that the prov- ince was investigating offshore wind possibilities through a Policy Proposal Notice, entitled 'Renewable Energy Approval Requirements for Off -shore Wind Facilities - An Overview of the Proposed Approach: The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) was also looking at a phased review on the proc- ess for making Crown land available for renewable energy projects. A Ministry of Environment (MOE): Renewable Energy website outlined a map illustrating 'Wind turbine applica- tions proposed in Lake Huron: The areas illustrated proposed turbine loca- tions in the water off of the shoreline north of Goderich to Amberiey, in a line directly off of Point Clark and along the shore to Kincardine. The applica- tion areas continue off the shores of the Bruce Power nuclear plant north of Inverhuron, to the shores off of Mac- Gregor Point Provincial Park, just south of Port Elgin. In late August, the MNR confirmed three companies had issued 12 offshore wind power project applications within Lake Huron in 2008. The data the MNR was provided, indicated the "wind power applications off Kincardine range from between 50 metres offshore to 30 kilometres offshore." In reaction to public outrage about the brief consultation period, the prov- ince extended the consultation period into the fall. It also developed a new MNR proposed policy 'Offshore Wind - power: Consideration of Additional Areas to be Removed from Future Development' which the public had opportunity to comment on until Oct. 4, 2010. "We need to base any future deci- sions on the best available scientific data. My ministry is working with our counterparts in the U.S. on offshore wind science and research to help ensure the protection of the Great Lakes," said Linda Jeffrey Minister of Natural Resources. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs minister and I luron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell applauded the announcement in a media release sent out shortly after the announcement. "We listened to the concerns from our communities loud and clear and our government is taking the responsi- ble and necessary steps to protect the environment, while ensuring there is enough clean energy to keep the prov- ince working," said Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell. Wednesday, February 16, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 15 Slow down Lakeshore Adams More drunks, more drivers who don't slow 144 down, Local police had their hands full with the usual, but often frightening, incidents of bad driving over the wintry weekend, Some of the lowf hast �, Huron OPP responding to a call about an acci- dent at 2:90 a,m, Sunday in Bayfield found a driver trying to hook his car up to another vehicle to get it out of a snowbank. The driver appeared drunk so they took him to the detachment office. Police were right. The driver's blood alcohol level was four times above the legal limit of 80 mg. He's 1411 been charged, Lambton OPP had a similar experience about 4 p.m. Sunday. They found a drunk driver on Mar- thaville Rd. Not only was he impaired, but he was driving his ATV on the road, Lambton OPP had their hands full with acci- dents overnight Friday, when drivers decided the best way to go through drifting snow was to keep going fast. 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