Out of the blue last November, Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) began the (non-union labour) construction of an industrial wind turbine on the grounds of its Family Education Centre, a facility designed to "encourage...people ...to discuss their problems and debate the major issues of the times."
Despite all the places CAW could have located the mammoth structure, it picked Port Elgin, "considered -- one of the leading recreational playgrounds in Ontario" for an industrial wind turbine. CAW's vacant 128-acre property nearby was deemed too environmentally sensitive. Besides, the land had just been subdivided and its lots stood to rake in $2 million. The FEC's densely-populated neighbourhood didn't have such sensitivities.
The turbine's proposed location was so beautiful, it posed a problem: the land's picturesque, clean beach and nature trails led to its classification as a tourist and recreational community. Therefore, the turbine's noise emission would exceed legislated standards. Not easily deterred, CAW found a quick fix: Classify the small tourist community as "urban" on the turbine application since acceptable noise emission levels are higher. No one will notice. The scheme worked, and the Ministry of Environment (MOE) approved it. Voila.
Residents angrily protested that CAW hadn't allowed democratic participation in this huge decision that affected the community's health, safety, environment, property values, tax base, and their main source of revenue: tourism. The community complained that CAW hadn't been open and honest. Yet, CAW President, Ken Lewenza, denied this allegation. "We have made a concerted effort to engage and inform the community about our planned construction of the windmill."
He explained that CAW distributed leaflets to less than half the community in 2004, and held an open house in 2005. Ken went on to say that anyone could have attended the Ontario Municipal Board hearings if they'd wanted. He also added there were postings to the Ontario Environmental Registry. People just needed to look there. Ken continued, "with sincere intentions...for open and honest dialogue with the community...in the spirit of neighborliness..." CAW will "establish a local committee that will fully monitor the turbine's operation." And, he added, "This offer goes far beyond any piece of provincial legislation that currently exists."
No doubt current legislation was on Ken's mind. Back in 2009, CAW had obtained its 800kw turbine approval a mere months before provincial 550m setback legislation was enacted. A little MOE grandfathering fixed the problem and the turbine moved ahead. Now, two years later, using that outdated approval certificate, CAW was being accused of ignoring current provincial legislation designed to protect health and safety. The community claimed that CAW's turbine (located only 210m from the nearest home) was, in effect, illegal. To make matters worse, the Ontario Environmental Tribunal had just ruled that "the debate was not one about whether wind turbines can cause harm to humans. The evidence...demonstrates that they can, if...placed too close to residents."
Faced with massive community protest and the optics of illegality, Ken wrote to the local paper announcing that CAW had "decided to reduce the power output of the turbine to 500kw, a significant drop from its 800kw...(to) help ensure any noise emitted from the turbine stays at a reasonable level." (Ken didn't count on a CAW executive letting it slip soon after that "de-rating our turbine to 500kw enabled us to move our project to completion...and allowed us to expedite our connection to the provincial power grid.")
The community soon learned that the noise emission reduction meant CAW now escaped the 550m provincial setback legislation altogether. It didn't seem to matter that CAW's Noise Study for MOE showed that "in order to meet the 'worse case' limit, the turbine will need to be operated at below 400kw." CAW's 800kw turbine, masquerading as 500kw--a wolf in sheep's clothing--now officially 'met' all current provincial regulations. CAW was in the driver's seat--and would self-monitor noise levels--like a motorist responsible for his own breathalyzer. Voila, again.
In short order, CAW had dealt with pesky legislation but it still had an annoying problem: community outrage. What about our health and safety? Some 100 families were in the 550m risk zone, not to mention all the CAW employees, and kids in its on-site daycare. "We will do everything in our power to eliminate all negative health impacts," Ken assured. What about infrasound, audible noise, and shadow flicker? What about ice-throw, fires, and blade disengagement? We're too close! "If we are wrong," Ken replied, "and our windmill causes serious problems...then we will work diligently to make the necessary adjustment." No need for CAW to be proactive, when it could be reactive.
Then a radio interview gave the community some hope. On GoldHawk, CAW confirmed its commitment to Town Council--if the turbine causes public harm, CAW would shut down its revenue-generating machine. Skeptical, the community posed the question: Will CAW agree to such a 'contract' that puts our health and safety first? Ken's response was immediate. CAW "would not sign a contract other than committing to environmental obligations legislated by law."
"CAW have met all of the provincial requirements," Ken stated. End of story.
THAT 550 M IS A PROPER SETBACK DISTANCE DESPITE EUROPEAN LONG TIME SETBACKS OF 1,000 M OR MORE. IN PORT ELGIN AT THE CAW, HOMES ARE LESS THAN 175 M FROM THIS TURBINE.
Do you have one of these things on your street? How about somebody getting you one so you can pay the high electric bill to the CAW as everyone now does.
John. get a copy of the Quebec Hydro plans and financial report from from the search engine Its Northern Rivers create electricity at 3 cents per Kwh output. Its income from sales to New England at 12 cents per Kwh gives them 2billion dollars to reduce Quebec Hudro bills to the lowest in North America. They are buying up the New England systems.. We have 2000 sites in Norther Ontsrioto create cheap clean energy to also sell,
John. Please explain how CO2 from humans causes Global Warming
CO2 in the atmosphere is but a fraction of one per cent and that from people at less than a thousand of one percent .
It is the sun, one million times bigger than earth that heats the earth and it flares up over days and even the millennial to cause global warming
,
Check your grade 10 science book John
You would be against it (likely) when you found out how economically devastating wind energy is. Ontario will spend about $100 billion on the green energy act - with no benefits - no carbon reduction, very few jobs (about a $million per year per job) and landscape blight.
Please investigate.
The only pollution caused by wind turbines are noise pollution, which is why we're starting to notice they need to be placed far from homes. They don't produce nuclear waste (like nuclear reactors) and don't require the burning of coal or other fossil fuels, which is a serious hazard on air quality and causes acid rain.
Hydro power is great, but like wind turbines, kill animals (fish for hydro, birds and bats for wind turbines).
They don't create jobs ? I'm fine with that ! I envision a future society where everything that can be autonomous is made autonomous. Less jobs + more people will eventually = shorter work weeks for citizens.
When Norway built their oil pumps and refinery, it took 20 years for it to pay for itself, but now they have one of the, if not THE largest cash reserve on the planet.
So those wind turbines will take some 5 years to pay for themselves, a tough sell when we're running a deficit, but when they have paid for themselves, Ontario will be winning, albeit only in the future. Yes, sometimes you have to pay now and only reap the benefits later, life isn't all now now now me me me.
- Not be placed close to residents, we have oodles of unused land we can use.
- Stay clear of bird migration patterns, we know what routes they travel, so avoid them.
That's about that, other than maybe replace older wind turbines with newer ones since they create less noise, have fire suppression systems, have vibration monitoring systems so they automatically stop when they start to vibrate and are easier and safe to maintain.
Invest now, benefit later. I don't mind making a sacrifice for future generations.
YOU'VE BEEN HAD BY THE WIND TURBINE INDUSTRY WHO HAVE A GOOD GRASP ON YOUR PURSES
ELECTRICITY BILLS WILL DOUBLE TO PAY FOR WIND TURBINES AT 20 CENTS A KWH.
ELECTRICITY WAS 7 CENTS A KWH. WATER POWER IS 3 CENTS..
HYDRO QUEBEC USES THE NORTHERN RIVERS AND SELLS IT TO NEW ENGLAND AT A PROFIT OF 2 BILLION DOLLARS. IT HAS THE LOWEST ELECTRIC PRICE IN NORTH AMERICA
ONTARIO HAS 2000 SIMILAR SITES TO REDUCE ONTARIO BILLS. .
CHEAP ENERGY GIVES US OUR GREAT LIFE STYLE, COMPANIES NEED CHEAP ELECTRICITY TO SURVIVE.. PEOPLE NEED CHEAP ENERGY TO AFFORD THINGS ESPECIALLY CARS. WIND TURBINES WIND TURBINES KILL CAW JOBS. AND GOOD WAGES.
WHY ARE WINDTURBINES NOT ALL OVER CITIES ON HIGH RISES? THEY ARE DANGEROUS AND NOISY.
YET THE CAW WIND TURBINE IS THE ONLY ONE IN ANY TOWN ...
THE CAW PROTECT ITS MEMBERS FROM ILLNESSES CAUSED BY DANGEROUS INFRA SOUND IN FACTORIES , THESE WINDTURBINES EMIT LARGE AMOUNTS OF INFRASOUND
WE HAVE A LIST OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHOSE HEALTH HAS BEEN HARMED BY LIVING OR WORKING NEAR THESE THINGS
DO YOU ATTACKERS HAVE A WIND TURBINE OR ARE PETITIONING TO HAVE ONE?
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IF NOT APOLOGIZE TO KAREN HUNTER
EVERYONE COME. YOU "CAWERS ' BE GOOD NEIGHBORS. BE SAFE FROM THREAT TO HEALTH. WE WANT ALL TO ,ENJOY OUR QUIET BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC SEA SIDE TOWN.WITH NO DAMN WINDTURBINESS.
Nevertheless, Ontario has decided to junk their cost-effective power plants in order to chase green tech. The government's own auditor said no cost-benefit analysis was done on alternative energy and the expected cost to consumers on their power bills will be over $220 million.
Yet, despite all this, commentators like Kevinexcess call opposition to green energy 'uninformed and misguided.'
The (rational) mind boggles.
In 2009 the set back was determined to be 550m and this one is just now being installed with 100 homes located less than that distance.
Karen is very well educated on the topic, i suggest some of you educate as well before voiceing un educated opinions
Each turbine needs $600,000 per year to run it, (ROI, maintenance, etc). But they make less than $100,000 worth of power, so taxpayers get the other half million PER TURBINE. McGuinty wants 6000 or more of them, so thats 3 billion per year, down the drain. Add in Solar, ethanol, etc etc and you have to shut down healthcare in order to proceed.
Its your choice Ontario: Healthcare or paying BP, Suncor and Nextera billions every year for nothing of value except for urban votes for the Liberals.
This hysteria is really catching, isn't it?
So... what's in your back-yard?