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Home My WebLink AboutLakeshore Advance, 2012-08-08, Page 161 Wedne , August 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 7 Windmill concerns take centre stage at Lambton Shores council Lynda HiNman-Replay Lakeshore Advance Michael Mahood and MameIle Brooks attended council last week to discuss the concerns of Lambton Shores wind farms. In their delegation they said two signifi- cant industrial wind projects have t. recently been approved by the provin- • ' dal government for launbton Shores; the Jericho Wind Energy Centre by NextEra Energy (atI1ada ULC, and the Cedar Point Wind Project - Phase 11 by Suncor I�.tlrrgy Pr xIuc is Inc. "Combined, these projects will set' approximately 250 industrial wind tur- bines erected within our munici- pal boundaries, and hundreds more just beyond," said Brooks, "We represent it group of concerned 1,tunbton Shores residents who are asking for support from this council in 1vay of a Irsolution,' she said. They are asking two requests of the Ontario government; "1. That the province pla('t' a morato- rium 011 further development Of wind projects until Independent third party health studies have been conducted; and 2. 'l'he restoration of local planning powers to all municipalities," Brooks said that over the past 12 months they have sought to become more educated about the benefits and the negative aspects of these develop- ments by attending several proponents' open houses, attending information meetings with highly qualified guest speakers, and undertaking many hours of personal research. 'they have also sp()- ken with several people who are experi- encing the adverse effects from the tur- bines currently operating in this community. "More and more, people are conct'nu'd about the longterm affects these installa- tions will have and are seeking to become better informed of the true costs to the environ- ment, tourism, agricultural land, prop- erty values, and the health and safety of both our livestock and ourselves, Its an effort to bring to council the most up-to-date information on these issues, we have inchlded several significant doc- uments for your reference," said informa- tion in a letter from this group adding, "Although the Green Energy Act, 2001 has removed land use regulatory powers such as Official Plans, Zoning and other related instruments which were granted o the municipalities by the Province by ay of the Ontario Planning Act, wind energy proponents must still consult with Municipalities on matters related t0 servicing and infrastructure provisions.' Brooks said currently, over 76 munici- pal councils In Ontario have enacted by- laws, passed resolutions and formed alli- ance's to protect the municipality from the liabilities associated with the installa- tion of these projects such as fire protec- tion services, including high angle rescue and the decommissioning of the turbines, Many of our neighbouring municipalities are included in this number; Adelaide - Metcalf, liluewnter, North Middlesex, Plympton-Wyoming, St. (:lair 'Town- ship, Warwick -Watford, Dawn-Euyhe- nnia, limn hatst, and i luron county, Councilor john Russell said he would like to see this come to a resolution. 1 sup- port gn'en power- but do not suptxm the way the liberals have taken away the power." Ile said they (present govern- ment) were fine with rescinding towers on the water because of the esthetics but won't (10 anything about getting rid of them when there are health issues. Ile said many politicians; once they get to Toronto forget where they came from. "We need to support this in principle and get a further report to see how we can deal with these issues. Councilor Martin Underwood said it is unreasonable to ask for moratoriums 011 green energy. "Me we yelling a clouds—are we are talking about every- one- some people tar okay with it as this is u1) income. Our rights were taken away as to where they are placed hut to take away incomes -that is irresponsibly," he said. Councilor I )DLII; Cook said the mora- torium is for the health issues. Councilor Lurie Scott said Green energy is a good thing hitt "I don't think they know what they are doing and what about the consequences. What if we have 200- and then something goes wrong? They can't just look beautiful -we can't put vines on thele 10 hide them- If there is a problem -who will take thein down and 1 am hearing they are only good for' 20 years." Councilor Doug lionesteel feels this is not even about windmills -hut rather Lynda Hlltman•Rapley 1 akostloto Advance A concerned citizen outside Monday's council meeting West Coast I IINI.t R,A, uu. IAvlknrr ii.lft (Jur S!Ue►wnraa And Much More • Nthhrt • l'a.ltn\'nnlUrs • I:ntr1(.unalrnt 111111 • Home l)Ilhcs PROVINSIONAL JNATAIAATIIMr1 arum Dams COVNTltlrtTtlrll 50 West St. (;oderich 519.440-0352 (K•drrh A A Ih•fri, f ( Aamtlrr .of ('u"elnrn r M"e(ert, uJt the lbw/ .IMNnI1106 l:nuellt wr l,** IAitt'Aurunl,l.nn ti, economics. "I am in full support of a moratorium. Without a nlont- torium- we are being foolish. We are not banning them - we just need more info." Russell explained that the former council had passed a pol- icy to suplx)rt economic develop- ment- for farms. "That Is not the issue -the issue is the health and where they are and how we live:' Underwood said the issue before theta Is not the moratorium. This is not the first place that will have windmills... it is nota moratorium we want. What we should be asking for is more control. It is reasonable to get back our power not a moratorium." The resolution states: "A resolution requesting that the province of Ontario declare a mor- atorium on the construction of industrial wind turbines (iwt's) until science -based and peer reviewed regulations that ensure public health and well-being have been implemented and that the province restore local planning powers to the municipality regard- ing renewable energy projects." The motion did pass in a recorded vote; Martin Under- wood voted against, Ruth Inman was not present and Deputy Mayor Elizabeth Davis Dagg declared a conflict of interest due the fact her family has windmills. at IN r iR 11I It )(• rlktt,,1 tt' t,lht' ,, arias Itln l ot11I i :II t1 Intl` 1,1t`n.1I\ httlu1,11 1.�,' h,l\t' till` t'' 'te', t .111,1 t1'1111111t11+Ittlilt4Ut'rl -. vollm.thes t1e",tlll•ltlt�n , I',It t \1 l • !dot.. .11 \(MI \I`.It t'\1'11 1111'11' 11),111r,11'lt' l 11r11ta1 lLlt e'\\.1\ tt+t1.0„ .nal lit».I ,,1 .ell It 111 \t.11tlntt 1(11 1, 1111 11.111' \.tttlr pit 1. of rlh,rt' \t•lI Itit.l 11t111tl1r", Muret: !Wino t11.111 1110 lit It tile• .')).slut t' 1\1111I Illtlltl.l\'• ill'.t tit 111 tit'1 111.)re` ,t! \\.)vont) . t`MI \ lit '.Llrt „t tilt' t,+tl\t.1ue`nt it .ul tll,tt Your mini holicliy. 1 1 Yuen easel hnli,t.n 1