Wind Farms

Image via WikipediaTuesday, August 24, 2010
TURBINES: Cottagers are concerned about damage to lakeshore, tourism
By JONATHAN SHER, The London Free Press
Last Updated: August 20, 2010 7:37am
Ontario’s Natural Resources Ministry is considering constraints on offshore wind farms but it’s not clear the limits will appease a wave of protest from those living along Lake Huron.
The ministry published a draft policy this week that, if adopted, might exclude from development areas in the lake where there are:
* boating lanes
* core commercial fishing
* sensitive ecology
* important recreational uses
* cultural heritage
* natural-gas activity
There also may be limits on development in inland lakes and other water bodies.
The proposed limits drew a quick and co-ordinated response from Southwestern Ontario MPPs who’ve been criticized by constituents for doing little to create safeguards against land-based and offshore wind turbines.
Carol Mitchell of Huron-Bruce and Pat Hoy of Chatham-Kent-Essex both issued releases saying, “These tough new regulations would make sure our drinking water and the sensitive Lake Huron environment are protected.”
They were joined by a third Liberal MPP, Bruce Crozier of Essex, who wrote, “This is yet another clear sign that the government has listened to the residents of my riding and I encourage the public to continue (making) their views known by commenting on this proposal.”
His claim might anger residents in Huron County, who say their pleas have long fallen on deaf ears.
The head of a citizens’ group called Huron-Kinloss Against Lakeside Turbines (HALT) could barely contain her anger when asked about how the Liberal government had responded to complaints and fears over turbines that can be placed as close as 550 metres from farm homes.
“Dammit. People matter, too — we are getting sick out here,” said Cheryl Murray.
Still, she said, she was relieved the Natural Resources Ministry had proposed some limitations on offshore turbines. She encouraged residents and cottagers to e-mail and phone the ministry to make sure it follows through with tough rules.
“They need to submit comments,” she said.
Those who want to make comments must do so by Oct. 4 by phoning the ministry at (705) 755-1499 or by going online to www.ebr.gov.on.ca, typing in the registration number of 011-0907 and clicking on the submit button.
Meanwhile, a Tuesday deadline for public comments is approaching for a proposal by the Environment Ministry to forbid wind-farm development within 5 kilometres of shore.
Mitchell, who is also Ontario’s agriculture minister, has asked the Environment Ministry to extend that deadline. Many residents just learned of the proposal in the last week or two.
Three companies whose identities the Ontario government hasn’t disclosed have applied to build 12 wind farms in Lake Huron, one as close to shore as 50 metres, the hoped-for development and uncertainty fueling anger among cottagers and residents who fear turbines.
E-mail jonathan.sher@sunmedia.ca, or follow jsherLFPRESS on Twitter.

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Realtors eye wind-farm projects - Clinton News-Record - Ontario, CA

Image via WikipediaRealtors eye wind-farm projects
Posted By Cheryl Heath
Posted 9 days ago
Huron County realtors are taking a wait-and-see approach to how proposed wind farms will impact the region's real-estate values.
John Hart, the Stratford-based board president of the Huron Perth Association of Realtors, says though the board has had some discussion on the number of wind farms planned for the region, it has yet to take any stand on the plan.
"We haven't discussed them a whole lot," he says, noting that, personally, he believes that any project that helps save the ecosystem is likely to be a positive one.
Hart says while there are differing views on wind farms' impact on land values, it is still far too early to review data in Huron County given that projects are just beginning to take shape.
Closer to home, Fred Lobb, who owns the Clinton-based Royal LePage Realty with his wife, Carol, says his agents are just beginning to look at the data related to wind farms.
"At this stage, there isn't a marked effect," he says.
Lobb notes that while he has heard arguments both for and against wind farms, there is little doubt that there will be growing pains associated with the turbines' installation given that "change is going to be hard, no matter what."
Though there are more than 100 turbines scheduled to be installed in Central Huron alone, Lobb says it's premature to guess what that means to the future of area land values.
Lobb, who has worked in real estate since 1991, likens the situation to the controversy that swirled around several years ago, when corporate hog farms were given the go ahead. Though, he notes, what will happen with wind farms is likely to draw much more interest.
"We can't say we've seen any impact one way or another here so far," he says, noting that some of the positive comments he has heard relate to how the turbines assist farmers with their income while those opposing the turbines are concerned with possible health impacts and declining real estate values.
And, says Lobb, the chasm between those for and those opposed certainly appears to be wide.
Realtors eye wind-farm projects - Clinton News-Record - Ontario, CA

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