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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