A Brief Comment from Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper with posts below from Wellandport, Ontario resident Catherine Mitchell and Niagara, Ontario’s regional government
Dalton McGuinty may be gone, but the ghost of his arrogance and lack of care for the concerns of ordinary continues to haunt us around trying to build a less costly, environmentally friendly energy future.
Then Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty pushing wind energy at the cost of giving local communities a voice in how these facilities should be cited in the best interest of everyone.
McGuinty, in league with his senior cabinet minister, including St. Cathairines MPP Jim Bradley, openly supported a Green Energy Plan that wiped out many of the opportunities local municipalities and their residents have to question a proposal for a major industrial project in their community. By doing this, McGuinty, Bradley (who was, more than a year ago, appointed environment minister by McGuinty) and company have possibly turned many who might otherwise support wind, solar and other green energy projects against them.
Indeed, there is a school of thought among at least some political pundits working for The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star and other mainstream media outlets in Ontario that McGuinty and his government lost enough votes in rural municipalities in the last, 2011 provincial election to cost the Liberals a third majority government. … And a significant percentage of loss of rural votes had to do with McGuinty and company wanting to plant wind turbines and other green energy facilities near their backyards without giving them much or any say in the matter.
If McGuinty thought that this kind of a dictatorial approach, that defies all the principles of home rule for communities, was going to help the cause of converting to green energy in Ontario, it has had quite the opposite effect. It has caused such a public backlash that it many have possible turned back the green energy movement in Ontario for decades to come.
It has one ready to say; ‘Hey Dalton, if you and your government want to help Ontario convert to green energy, say your against it!’
In a continued effort on this site to show the splits on green energy and wind turbines in particular, Niagara At Large is posting two pieces received this April 17 alone. The first is by a resident living in the West Lincoln, Ontario Wellandport community where a large wind energy farm is proposed to go, and the second is from Niagara, Ontario’s regional government which is involved in a partnership with a private firm, Rankin Construction, to construct wind turbines in the community of Wainfleet along the Fort Erie shore.
Check out these posts then you weigh in with your comments below.
Dear Premier Kathleen Wynne, April 16, 2013
We have reached a new low in the search for truth and justice with respect to health effects caused by the placement of Industrial Wind Turbines (IWT’s). Now we find that Philip L. Bigelow, PhD, an electrical and computer engineering professor from the University of Waterloo, intends to conduct “human experiments” on Ontario residents “before” and “after” they are exposed to industrial wind turbines near their homes.
Dr Bigalow stated that his research is “… a unique opportunity to look at the community before and after,” the installation of industrial wind turbines. This “before” and “after” experiment, proposed for West Lincoln, is a manmade living laboratory where the existing living environment will be intentionally altered with the introduction of 3 MW industrial wind turbines. People in the community will be exposed to acoustical noise, low frequency noise, mechanical noise, infrasound, electromagnetic radiation, “dirty electricity” or transient voltage, light flicker and vibration. As well as the catastrophic economic effect on the property values of those in the viewshed of the industrial wind turbines.
These Ontario residents do not consent to being exposed to the negative effects of wind turbines at their homes. The Ontario government, with the creation of the Green Energy Act changed laws that protected the health of the citizens of Ontario, changed laws that required an Environmental Assessment to determine the impact of new development on the environment and changed laws so that the authority of municipal councils has been undermined and the democratic process has been compromised. The planning rights of rural communities have been removed. It is the MOE that approves the private for profit FIT contracts to install IWT’s in unwilling host communities.![wind-farm[1]](https://niagaraatlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/wind-farm1.jpg)
Bigelow plans to distribute surveys in town as well as conduct sleep tests and collect hair samples from people living within a five-kilometre range of the proposed wind turbines. What separates his study from others done within the province is he will be using the same test group both before and after. The study will look at how noise exposure from wind turbines affects sleep quality and the overall health and wellbeing of people living near these industrial installations.
The 3 MW industrial wind turbines proposed for West Lincoln by Niagara Region Wind Corporation are the largest to be built in North America. They are 185 metres in height – taller than the Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls. Some residents will have up to 12 turbines within two kilometres from their rural homes.
Niagara’s Regional Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Valerie Jaeger stated that she was definitely not pro or against industrial wind turbines, but was in favour of better information. Grey-Bruce Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Hazel Lynn, who has people affected in her community, states that every existing study concludes that wind turbines affect human health.
It is difficult to determine how the residents of West Lincoln will benefit from this “oppinionaire”. The moral issue of using residents as “guinea pigs” was not considered. It is ludicrous to destroy people’s health first … and analyze the results later when people in Chatham-Kent are already affected by smaller industrial wind turbines. The people already affected have not been compensated for their loss. Ninety-one municipalities have requested that the provincial government implement a moratorium on the installation of industrial wind turbines until after the Federal Health study is completed in 2014. The minimum 550 meter setback required by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment has not been changed even though these are the largest industrial wind turbines to be installed on land in North America. The independent peer reviewed health studies that conclude that a much larger setback is required to protect peoples’ health have all been ignored. To engage in junk science and proceed on people’s opinion sets us up for the next disaster.
The governments of this country might be reminded that they dragged their feet over the pulling of the drug thalidomide and many innocent babies were born deformed. The governments of this country sat on critical information about the blood supply until the “Tainted Blood” issue became a scandal and many people had to be financially compensated for contracting HIV and AID’s related diseases. Remember asbestos, urea-formaldehyde foam insulation, lead paint, DDT were all government sponsored initiatives.
We expect our elected representatives to make decisions based on the best science that is available, not to withhold information so they can continue with the Green Energy initiative at the expense of the Ontario taxpayer and we pay both financially and with our health.
Other municipalities have already been destroyed by industrial wind turbines. We do not want to be “lab rats” in this academic exercise, we are not willing hosts to industrial wind turbines in West Lincoln.
Respectfully submitted
Catherine Mitchell, Wellandport, Ontario
Wind Turbines and the Potential Health Impact
Submitted this April 17 by Niagara’s regional government.
While some people living near wind turbines report symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and hearing loss, the scientific evidence does not show a direct link between wind turbine noise and these adverse health effects.
There is some evolving scientific evidence demonstrating negative effects such as sleep disturbances, annoyance, and, on rare occasions, structural failure or ice falling from the blades.
Niagara Region Public Health continues to observe the evolving science. Their mandate is created through the Health Protection and Promotion Act and the Ontario Public Health Standards.
While Niagara Region Public Health does not have legislated oversight on wind turbine development and health effects, public health has a role in identifying and monitoring any potential health risks to our residents that may not fall within legislation.
Reports and Studies
- Potential Health Impacts of Wind Turbines
Report by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (May 2010) - Noise and Health Study Design Consultation
Study by Health Canada (in progress, 2013)
Approval of Wind Farms Done By the Ontario Ministry of Environment
Wind farm developments are subject to a Renewable Energy Approval from the Ministry of Environment.
Applicants must meet a number of requirements including:
- Public notice and consultation
- Municipal consultation
- Compliance with minimum setbacks
More information on the application/approval process is available on the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure’s website.
(Niagara At Large invites you to join in the conversation by sharing your views on the content of this post below. For reasons of transparency and promoting civil dialogue, NAL only posts comments from individuals who share their first and last name with their views.)
Niagara At Large 
Good for you for presenting the case so honestly, Doug.
I confess that the statements on requirements for REA approval from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment look good, like so much else that comes from this government. But looks are deceiving. In actual fact, this government has carefully crafted its requirements — and its definition of “municipal consultation” to ensure that the company will get the FIT approval it wants.
In a letter written in response to the application from the Niagara Region Wind Development Corporation (NRWD) for a permit to construct a transmission line along Mountainview Road, in the town of Lincoln, the Senior Strategic Advisor to the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) points out that the Ontario Power Authority and Hydro One Networks Inc. have made the awarding of a FIT contract to NRWD contingent on the NEC granting permission for this transmission line to cross the escarpment, without prior consultation, effectively putting the NEC in the position of making the decision on the future of the project.
The letter goes on to state: “Within the Niagara region, the Sir Adam Beck power generating stations supply a significant portion of electricity for Ontario. It is difficult to justify the impacts of wind farms to environmentally sensitive areas, such as the Niagara Escarpment. The area is recognized as an UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, and portions of the transmission route are within an area of Natural and Scientific interest (ANSI). Ontario is a very large province. Certainly there are other more suitable, less environmentally sensitive areas in Ontario where new wind farm projects should be considered.”
I heartily concur. But is this government — and this Environment Minister — going to listen? Don’t hold your breath.
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The shame of it is that these 3 megawatt turbines are already obsolete considering they are now developing 6-7 megawatt turbines . Being higher they are much more efficient because they would have 2 blades at the height of upper atmosphere winds as opposed to one with the 3 megawatt turbines . As well they would have to command a greater set back because of their size . Thus you would win both ways greater efficiency with fewer turbines with greater set back . Time to rethink and wait a little while for the BEST and MOST EFFICIENT wind turbines and host them in WILLING JURISDICTIONS !
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Maybe the potential ‘health’ issue would be solved by having smaller turbines, like the 6 installed at Highbanks? 1-2 MW? versus 3+.
I haven’t heard one complaint from those residents. In fact I once met a Highbanks local who wondered how to get one on his property.
Those turbines are much closer to homes than the current 550m setback.
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I just came home from Holland and here are a few notes from that part of the world with respect to this matter.
The farmers here who have contracted their properties out to these wind generators have:
1) done it at the expense of their relationships with their neighbours – In Holland people have shunned these people making many of them move from their family homes owned for centuries. In some cases vandalism and the destruction of some turbines has been the public response.
2) negotiated a rate less than half of what the landowners in Europe have negotiated all things considered (land, energy costs, project costs). So to all of you Niagara farmers…… you got ripped off by these companies and the Ontario government.
3) now rendered the value of their property as worthless once a windmill is installed. Try selling it!
So to all of you landowners that have signed on. The last laugh is on you! HAHA! Add to that if you choose to live on the property, you are going to expose your family to all the side effects people have been complaining about for decades.
People in Holland have complained about the same things we are discovering here. Now why we are discovering these well known concerns, when so much proof is out there, is beyond me. Oooops sorry I forgot who was involved here! (Liberal idiots and their corporate benefactors).
The final point is that the turbines in Holland are half the size of the ones proposed for our beautiful region and they can be seen for 30kms. Consider the small 1MW turbine and how visible it is in Toronto from Niagara. They, in addition to all the negative health effects, will be a visual blight on this region. Way to go COMRADES MCGUINTY AND BRADLEY!!!!
Here’s hoping this project will get shelved……. Just sayin……
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Greg:
If you live anywhere along the Welland Canal, just wait 3-5 years until Ontario Power Generation [OPG] begins to dismantle Pickering Nuclear station & ships its worn-out radioactive fuel rods, concrete & steel up the Canal to Goderich where they plan to store it 4,000′ under Lake Huron in former salt mines for 10,000 years (!) in “state-of-the-art” containers.
If they don’t bring it up the Canal, think trucks & trains through the GTA. We can’t see, hear, smell, taste or touch radioactivity, so how will our police, ambulance & firefighters know that they should evacuate a city rather than approach an overturned truck? What are we doing to those who protect us?
As I write this (2013-04-19, noon), 55% of Ontario electricity comes from Nuclear energy [www.Gridwatch.ca]. If you think the rapidly rising cost of hydro is driving industry from Ontario, wait til the OPG starts spending $35+B !!! to rebuild Darlington. Think ‘stranded debt’ on your hydro bill….
What are we doing to ourselves?
Oh, did you know that Niagara’s ground water comes Lake Huron, not Lake Erie?
What are we doing to our descendants?
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Fiona, you raise an interesting question about the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Also, isn’t this area protected under the Greenbelt Act, ironically passed by the same government?
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To the Region of Niagara:
Shouldn’t you have admitted that you’ve invested a big chunk of our money into wind development in West Lincoln? Also, if you’re going to try to defend these things, you should find something besides Dr. King’s report. Are you not aware that under Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, it was exposed for its use of “word play” to ensure that the word “direct” was carefully inserted when speaking to health effects? Since “direct” effects such as a turbine falling onto someone’s head are unlikely, perhaps someone from Regional Council would like to explain the “indirect” effects expected. Dr. King won’t say nor will she take the witness stand in an on-going case about the health effects from wind turbines. Gee – that’s not suspicious.
If our Regional Council wants to defend their decision to sacrifice residents in favour of money, then they should come up with some better “evidence.” Or…. they could just admit that making money takes precedence over the people of West Lincoln. How sad that 91 communities in Ontario have passed resolutions against the wind turbines and yet in Niagara Region, the council voted to profit from it instead.
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