Turbine on Wolfe Island wind farm. Photo by Nicole Kleinsteuber
Wind energy activists see this as an opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint, fight back against global warming, create jobs, generate private income, reduce hydro bills and eliminate coal fire plants to ensure a healthier tomorrow for future generations.
Concerns involving impacts to human health, the environment, endangered species, quality of life, property values, tourism and an intermittent power supply have divided the residents in the county.
This difference in opinion on whether or not wind projects will benefit the area and its inhabitants has led to countless public meetings, letters to government officials, protests and lawsuits.
Last week The Ontario Federation of Agriculture called on the McGuinty government to stop all wind developments across Ontario saying the issue has separated rural communities, pitting neighbour against neighbour.
The fight against wind has clearly put the residents in Prince Edward County at odds.
The split began about 10 years ago when wind developers such as SkyPower Corp, Vision Quest Windelectric Inc., Gilead Power and most recently Wind Power Development Canada, showed an interest in the county’s rich wind supply and rural setting.
Gilead Power’s proposed plan to construct nine wind turbines along the south shore of the county on Ostrander Point has caused much controversy. Local environmental groups have appealed to all levels of government requesting they help preserve the Important Bird Area and endangered species that exist within Gilead’s site plan.
Prince Edward Hastings MP Daryl Kramp is working with the activists to have the area deemed a national park.
Prince Edward Hastings MPP Todd Smith has been trying to put political pressure on the province to cease all wind projects until further epidemiological health studies on the effects of wind turbines are completed.
As for the municipality, like Smith council requested a moratorium on all wind developments in Ontario until more studies are concluded on February 2011. According to the Commissioner of Planning the only response they have received from the province has been, “We’ve received your letter.”
In the meantime, Gilead’s project continues to move forward through the Ministry of Environment’s approval process. Gilead’s application is in the final stages of approval and they hope to start constructing later this year. The public has been invited to comment on the project on the ministry’s Environmental Bill of Right’s registry. On January 17 council voted to submit a list of their concerns to the ministry with the understanding that they will receive a response.
Gilead isn’t the only wind proponent that is stirring up discussions within the community. Wind Power Development Canada submitted a proposal named the White Pines Wind Project to the ministry in March 2011. Unlike Gilead, WPD plans to work with private landowners to construct 30 turbines on various properties along the south shore and throughout South Bay and Milford. Neighbours living adjacent to where the turbines are planned have brought their concerns regarding health impacts, noise and decreased property values to council.
But where Prince Edward County stands on wind energy as a whole? It’s still undecided and it’s unclear when and if that will ever change.
Prince Edward County Voice is hosting an online discussion on wind turbines on January 25 at 7 p.m. The sole purpose of this event is to bring the public together and seek ways to solve some of the differences over wind projects that have been impacting the community for over a decade. Participants have the opportunity to discuss solutions with experts, activists and politicians who are well educated on the topic of wind developments.
It’s important to ask questions, open methods of communication and build bridges so the residents of Prince Edward County can overcome these obstacles.
Throughout my experience as a student at Loyalist College I have learned the importance of assisting the public to come together, become better informed and make decisions about the community we live in.
As a journalist in the 21st century, I believe there is value in offering a public space that brings the community together with the key objective of finding solutions to pressing issues.
Prince Edward County Voice is a hyperlocal website created with the purpose of acting as a tool utilized by the public. It aims not only to educate its readers but also to engage them in discussions where they can brainstorm effective solutions.
Confirmed Panelists: Prince Edward Hastings MPP Todd Smith, Prince Edward County Mayor Peter Mertens, former Green Party candidate for Prince Edward Hastings MPP Treat Hull, past president of the PEC federation of agriculture John Thompson and County Sustainability Group member John Legate.
Invited: Kevin Surette, Manager of Communications WPD and Kate Jordan Communications representative Ministry of Environment.
