Mayor disappointed with decision to keep the power over wind

Nicole Kleinsteuber

Wolfe Island wind farm. Photo by Nicole Kleinsteuber

Prince Edward County Mayor Peter Mertens says he was disheartened when he heard the provincial government wouldn’t be giving local municipal governments zoning power over industrial wind developments.

“I’m very disappointed with the way it turned out,” said Mertens.  “The very lack of support that the bill got, suggests that vast majority of the members of provincial legislature aren’t taking into account the needs of the municipality in this province.  It is a very bad sign.”

Liberal and NDP MPPs defeated Bill 10, an act to revise the Green Energy Act, 2009, which would have given municipalities authority over where wind turbines are built.

The private member’s bill sponsored by MPP Todd Smith was lost in the vote, 45-32.

“Regardless of what the bill is, to pass it and not to amend it for their own purpose is totally wrong,” said Mertens.  “You can have any piece of legislation going through the legislature that doesn’t have the support of the municipality.

“We’re right back to where we were,” said Mertens.  “We’re continuing to work as best we can with the proponents.  By requesting things and asking them to provide us information.  We can’t force anything or make them do anything that they don’t want to do.”

Prince Edward County council called for a moratorium on wind turbines in February, requesting an independent study by the province to make sure wind turbines have no adverse health effects on local residents.  Council was denied their request so in turn they asked the province for the right to decide where potential turbines could be placed.

“The legislature needs to keep into account what the local politician’s beliefs and feelings are on it, because they’re the ones that are the closest to the constituents,” said Mertens.

“Some members of the public are very disappointed.  We have a very vocal segment of the population here that is very keen in the issue.   They’re obviously disappointed because they saw the private members bill as an opportunity for the municipality to get back involved.  In their terms getting involved meant shutting it (wind farm destined for Prince Edward County) down.”

Myrna Wood, a founding member of Prince Edward County Field Naturalists, said she’s not surprised by the outcome but feels this vote sets a precedent for all important bird areas across Canada.

The potential wind farm proposed for Ostrander Point is set for a designated Important Bird Area.  Wood feels the decision to construct a wind farm on Ostrander point could leave Important Bird Areas across Canada vulnerable.

The project is in its final stages of review and was posted to the Environmental registry two weeks ago.  The ministry of environment has posted the project giving the public an opportunity to review and comment to by Jan 29 2012.

“The community has to once again make itself heard,” said Wood.   “I want everyone to comment.”

Treat Hull a member of the Green Party in Prince Edward Hastings, agrees with Wood that it’s important for the community to take advantage of the process.  Hull encourages the community to take a look at what Ontario naturalists and scientists have to say before making up their mind on this issue.

“I encourage people to work within the official process to submit their comments and concerns,” said Hull.  “It’s really important to organize and influence the war of public opinion.  We need to get out there and talk to friends and colleagues and get them on board.”

Prince Edward County resident John Rorabeck said he’s pleased the bill was turned down.

“There are a lot of worse things going on than putting up a few turbines,” said Rorabeck.  Rorabeck is a commercial fisher who lives five minutes down the road from where the Ostrander wind project is planned.   He said he’s concerned about the negative impact water generated power has had on the waterways and fisheries.

“I’ve fished all over Ontario and I’ve seen the damage hydro dams are having on our waterways,” said Rorabeck.  “We won’t have to let so much water out of our lakes, rivers and dams if we use wind power.”

Rorabeck is working to have two turbines built on his property, one commercial and the other he is building himself.  He said he has been working with Wind Power Development Canada for five years to build a wind turbine on his land and hopes to have it constructed by the end of next year.

Courtesy of the Prince Edward County Voice.