HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2013-06-19, Page 9Appeal of Next Era's Bluewater Wind Energy Cente Lakeshore
scheduled for 20 days, starting July 2
Approval still valid during the
appeal
Melissa Murray
QM( Agency
'Ihe appeal of Next Era's Bluewater Wind Energy
Centre will begin on July 2 and it will last a maxi-
mum of 20 days.
The decision was reached (haring the prelimi-
nary hearing of the Environmental Review Tribu-
nal on June 4.
The Middlesex Launbton Wind Action Group,
lead by Esther Wrightnlan, appealed the Renewa-
e Energy Approval, which was granted to Next
on April 22.
The wind energy project proposes 37 industrial
wind turbines for a generating capacity of 60 MW
to be built in the municipality of Bluewater. The
transmission line will hook into the Seaforth
power station.
'throughout the appeal process, Project director
Nicole Geneau, said the approval is still valid and
in force and Next Era will proceed with the project
as planned because they have approval.
"We are still on track for construction this fall,"
she said. "We respect the proceedings and look
forward to participating," she said, adding she
can't comment on the proceedings specifically.
'the preliminary hearing heard from three indi-
viduals or groups looking for status during the tri-
bunal's proceedings, including Fred and Carol
Dutot, Central Huron residents, Jim and Janet Pap-
ple, who live along the transmission line in 1!uron
East and Audrey 1 !olden and Patsy McArthur, with
the I Iistoric Saugeen Metas.
The chair of the proceedings Paul Muldoon,
heard from each of those seeking status during the
prelhninary hearing, but he reserved judgment on
what form of participation they will each have.
Janet Papple, speaking on behalf of her and her
husband Jim, were seeking appellant status, but it
was contested by both the Ministry of the Environ-
ment's counsel, Danielle Meuleman and Next Era's
lawyer Dennis Mahoney, from Torys LLP in
Toronto, because proper documentation was not
filed within the appeal vtndow and the docu-
ments weren't forwarded to the Director.
Popple said the transmission route currently
planned could cause serious harm to their health.
"'the alternative safer route proposed should be
granted prior to the project moving forward," said
Dapple in her address,
Mahoney added, Dapple's information doesn't
make allegations of serious harm, 'only the poten-
tial," he said.
Both parties suggested the Puppies be granted
participant or presenter status instead of having
them launch their own appeal.
Meulennan also said that because their concerns
are more personal than of greater society impact,
their submission would be best made as a pre-
senter. Dapple disputed their claim that the sub-
mission wasn't complete saying, "1 sent it to the
four 1 was to send it to, so I don't understand that
comment.
She was asked to provide an explanation of her
submission by email before June 11th before the
chair would rule on her status (luring the
tribunal.
Muldoon, assured Papple,' that because her
issue falls under the umbrella of the Middlesex
Lanlbton Wind Action group, she could fall into
their appeal.
The 1listoric Saugeen ME'tis we're looking for
participant status in the hearing because of finan-
cial constraints on the group, but felt the approved
project could impose on harvesting rights.
Although 1 lolden made the argument that the
Saugeen MFtis believe strongly the health of the
environment has an intrinsic link to human health,
Next Era and the Ministry's lawyers suggested
environmental harm was outside of the appeal
brought forward, because it only specifically men-
tioned affects to human health.
Mahoney said there were several specific rea-
sons the project was being appealed, including
flicker, straw voltage and infrasound, but issues
related to the environment were not specific to
this appeal.
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS!
DEADLINES
Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows:
ADVERTISING &' EDITORIAL
Friday @ '2:00 pm
•
Irke Ontario St. 8, Grand Bend
PH: 51
OFFICE HOURS:
Mon. & Fri. 8am - 4pm
Thurs. & Fri. 9am - 4pm
CLOSED TUESDAY'S
Fred Dutot was asking for presenter
status to present evidence about IW'1'
distances to gas deposits and storage
facilities and the health and safety con-
cerns surrounding IW'I:s.
Mahoney said his concern with
allowing Dutot status was the timeline
for the hearing.
"Our concern is adding to the agenda
has ,a direct impact on the timeline,"
said Mahoney.
There were also concerns about his
evidence being opinion. If he did want
to express his personal opinion, he
would need to be qualified and deemed
an expert.
Without Wrightnlan's lawyer, Eric
Gillespie, present the tribunal was una-
ble to come up with a specific schedule
for the hearing based on the number of
witnesses each party was planning to
use. Without that, Mahoney and Meule-
man decided to use the Ostrander Point
appeal as a basis, for the timeline,
which had just reached its 20111 and
final day of the appeal.
In trying to find efficiencies going
forward, Muldoon asked that all wit-
nesses be prequalified and all evidence
and witness statements be submitted in
writing prior to the start of the appeal.
To make sure the public is aware of
the evidence being put forward, Mul-
doon said he would determine a way to
ensure the public gets the evidence
including either copies at the appeal or
having them emailed to concerned
individuals.
The environmental review tribunal
hears appeals under the Environmental
Protection Act and the appeal was filed
for reasons of believing the proposed
project would cause substantial harm
to human health. An ERT has an obliga-
tory deadline of finishing tip before six
months pass from the day of the appeal.
In an ERT the onus of proof is also on
the appellant.
To have our staff enjoy family and friends this Canada Day
The Lakeshore Advance will be
CLOSED
on MONDAY, JULY 1ST
Adverting & Editorial Deadlines
for the Wed. July 3rd paper will be
Thursday June 27th @ 2:00 pm
Have a Safe & Happy Holiday!
olre Aulvanoe
58 Ontario St., N. Grand Bend
519-238-5383 Fax: 519-238-5131
Iakeshore.advance@sunmedia.ca