A Commentary by Doug Draper, Niagara At Large
So we may wonder why Niagara, Ontario has one of the highest unemployment rates in all of Canada, and why so many young people feel the need to leave for greener pastures in a region that is hostile to any progressive thinking around public transit, governance reform or almost any other change that might move it forward.
Niagara’s Ontario Region has made it clear, once again, that it is a ‘no zone’ for a 21st century renewable energy industry.
Well, this September 19th, anyone who bothered to pay attention – which is far too few of us, I’m afraid – got another whiff of the 1950s stench that keeps this region from moving forward economically, environmentally and almost any other way. This one came when a majority of the regional government’s councillors voted in favour of keeping entrenched a motion many of the same councillors endorsed this past spring – to declare at least two local municipalities in this region “unwilling hosts” for wind turbines capable of generating renewable energy.
What these councillors bluntly said to a rapidly growing renewable energy industry around the world is; ‘Go to hell. We don’t want you here in Niagara.’ And this is coming from a region where, one might laugh if it were not so sad, had the audacity to declare itself “the Green Energy Capital of Canada” somewhere around a year ago.
What a majority of regional councillors told the world and a 21st century renewable energy industry this September 19th is; ‘To hell with that. The minute a vocal minority of kooks in one or more of our 12 local municipalities start yelling and screaming about the great threat wind farms pose to them, we’ll back them, and so goes any future around Niagara being a hub for building and installing renewable energy technology.
Now, of course, there will be those on this regional council – the most divisive and dysfunctional council of its kind I have observed in my 32 years as a Niagara journalists – who will argue that Niagara’s regional government never said with this vote that it is against wind farms or renewable energy. It was only saying it supports the positions of two local municipalities, West Lincoln and Wainfleet, which I would submit are being bullied by a Tim Hudak-inspired gang of loud bullies that do not make up the majority in those communities.
Thanks to a majority on Niagara, Ontario’s regional council, we may never see this here. How pathetic. How unprogressive this regional government is.
But for Niagara regional government to walk away from any message it is surely sending to the world that it is prepared to ride any industry interested in renewable energy here would be disingenuous. After all, if a majority of regional councillors would support the desire of two of Niagara’s 12 local municipalities not to be “willing hosts” for wind farms because those local municipalities have gangs of kooks who believe that wind energy is some kind of other threat, similar to that ‘conspiracy’ around adding fluoride to drinking water 30 years ago to reduce tooth decay in children, why would any wind energy industry in China, Germany or elsewhere have any reason to believe that the Neanderthals on this council would not turn around and say no to wind farms in other Niagara municipalities like Grimsby or Lincoln or Niagara-on-the-Lake if a proposal were made to site one there.
After all, if a majority of regional councillors back “unwilling host” motions from West Lincoln and Wainfleet, because those local municipalities have a critical mass of idiots yelling and screaming about a technology they know nothing about there, there is no reason to believe that these same councillors would not back “unwilling host” motions in any other local Niagara municipality that might become a site for wind or some other form of renewable energy
I want to make it clear that I attended the regional council meeting this September 19th and watched the unfolding of this. And it was depressing.
As the parent of a 22 year old who is attending college and wonders if there is a future for her and her friends here in Niagara, I feel sorry to say that my answer would be no. There is no promise of better regional transit here for most of you who don’t have cares (and many younger people not only have cars, they haven’t got driver’s licences) and there is no promise here of more dynamic regional government fighting for jobs for the 21st century.
Anyone who cared to, witnessed that this September 19th as a minority of wackjobs wearing red ‘no wind’ t-shirts cheered a majority of regional councillors who effectively told important sectors of an emerging renewable energy industry that Niagara is not interested in hosting you here.
(Niagara At Large invites anyone who dares to share their real first and last name with their views to share them in the comment area below.)
Niagara At Large 
I am at a loss for words… 😦
A Note From Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper – If you are so stupid that you still belive that flouride in drinking water was bad for us and that renewable energy is some kind of commie plot, then I am also at a loss for words. Do some research beyond the cult of idiots you are listening to. Would you do yourself a favour and get beyond those dumb “No Wind” t-shirts that you put on kids whose future is at stake around this, and do that … Do some real research on this.
LikeLike
I am so sorry to read that you think successful University graduates, business owners, farmers and well read people as a “mass of idiots yelling and screaming about a technology they know nothing about”. Many have researched the topic for many days. You should learn about the subject before you publish items like the trash above and spoil your good work and reputation.
It’s publishers like you that one hopes to get unbiased information that gives both sides of an event. Mass media corporations do enough of that.
Ed
A Note from Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper – This is craszy Ed. These idoits that you idiolize are being paid off by the petroleum industry. Don’t you bloody well know that. This is not a religous crusade. Wake up from that. … Check it out. Do some real research my dear sir. Follow the petroleum money, Koch brothers, etc. Doug Draper.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Quixotes Last Stand.
LikeLike
We would be far better off to take the money spent on wind turbines and help homeowners with conservation and efficiencies. At least that would help out the average ratepayer rather than giving our dollars to giant fossil fuel corporations like Suncor, Enbridge, TransAlta and Nextera. How does subsidising a tarsands corporation like Suncor help the planet?
LikeLike
“the love of theory, is the root of all evil”
I see Mr. Draper that you’ve fallen in love with the illusory economic and environmental benefits of wind turbines as no doubt sold to you by the wind industry. What is interesting is the callous disregard you have for those fellow citizens of the area who have a differing opinion. Name -calling just doesn’t seem smart as local customers look around for decent journalistic coverage. Your biases are striking. If you took the time to perhaps think that their vision of economic renewal differs from yours and to realize in the end, the goals may be the same.
Mr. Draper, you may want to acquaint yourself as to what is actually going on in Europe and see what a colossal mess “unreliables” are. German industry is in revolt as unreliables present fluctuations in power that wreaks havoc on sensitive heavy machinery. All across Europe and UK the term “Energy Poverty” has become realized as citizens can’t afford and therefore are having electricity cut off. That is what’s in store for Ontario.
The people of your area are trying to protect the inherent value of the area. Wind turbines are a cul-de-sac technology and are not compatible with our current electricity requirements. It’s why I refer to them as “unreliables”. Sooner , rather than later, this will smack us in the collective faces. What is reprehensible has been the promise of a long term career in what will end up being a short term boutique industry. The strategy should be stability for businesses to start up and expand in the area. That stability has to be in the form of power rates, taxes and labour costs, which presently are in a state of complete chaos. The only way wind works is on the tenuous threads of government subsidies. These could and should be taken away ASAP. This speaks to all Ontarians.
I would encourage you as well to do some research. I think you’ll find that your childrens future will be much brighter when you see the hundreds of millions of $$$ subsidy money that leaves the province every year ( to Big Oil Co’s) has been ended. Yes I have followed the (subsidy money) and it goes out to corporations such as Suncor, TransAlta, Enbridge etc., likely to help finance Oil Sands operations.
Finally, with the crumbling of the IPCC AR5 report due to this pesky thing called REALITY, the wailing and gnashing of teeth and the usual bilge of name-calling from all the usual rent-seeking suspects, it’s obvious that Climate Alarmism is the real religion to be discussed here.
As publisher Mr. Draper, I look forward to a fact-filled classy response.
LikeLike
I, like my co-worker and fellow green energy employee/supporter Donnie, above, am at a loss for words too.
What EXACTLY is the plan for Niagara? A third Casino so we can get the “High Rollers” that will fly into the new airport and host summer only conventions at the new(ish) expensive convention centre?
These politicians are being shills. They had a whole month off of council and this is what they came up with. How many votes do we have to promise to get them to swing back to supporting green energy? What will it take to get them to WORK for us so that we can all get work…maybe everybody should get a job as a regional councillor. It sounds like you can think up your opinion on the way to work, look around the room to see what everybody else is doing, and mail in a strategy to make Niagara better.
LikeLike
The Conservative Reform Alliance Party (CRAP) does not believe in forward-looking technology. They are a plutocrat party obsessed with Tar Sands and shadow-banking. They pretend to be interested in local economies, but they are not. Hence, we have a huge debt and deficit, extremes of income disparity, and a hollowed out economy, about to be colonized by China on the one hand, and the US on the other. And we can also look forward to corporate health care, thanks to these clowns.
LikeLike
Despite the most conclusive scientific evidence that we will ever have, this same Republicanized party refuses to acknowledge the most serious threat to humanity, which is man-made global warming.
LikeLike
Mr. Draper I am responding to your challenge as you have requested. Wind projects are generating increasing reports of adverse impacts and effects from residents who are living in close proximity to these large machines. The Wind Turbines are just a part of a sprawling power generation plant covering tens of thousands of hectares of land. The emissions from these machines are many. Space is limited but I would be more than happy to send you references for your review.
You have stated the it is the lost of perceived economic benefits from the wind projects being your main concern. The cost benefits of these projects are not realized, and I suggest you review the words of the Auditor General 2011 Report for a more detailed analysis of costs and benefits for the Province of Ontario. The conclusions in that report are very clear.
Families have been bought out of their homes because of the Wind Projects (eg Ripley area, Davis out of court settlement in UK, and many others) Studies. research papers, opinion pieces fail to demonstrate the true heart breaking human experience. People are suffering ill effects from the wind projects and not everyone is financially able to abandoned their homes or seek legal recourse to remedy the situation.
The assessment of technical Net Benefit is best left to the Engineers but I will make my own comments on this issue. These machines fail to deliver any electricity that is able to provide base load or dispatch-able power.
( No wind= No electricity. Wind= Electricity at the wrong time and which can’t be stored, dumped or sold at a loss. Hydro, Nuclear displaced by Wind Power due to FIT contractual agreements (but this is important) not Replaced.
Not only are Wind Turbines intermittent and unreliable power generators they are displacement sources requiring parallel sources of generation such as Gas to provide ghost capacity.
My family and my community have a right to determine what we will or will not be exposed to in our own homes. I have a right to determine how the lands in my community will be developed. I have a right to participate in the governance of my community. I take these rights seriously and accept responsibility for my actions. I will not force a Wind Turbine on your family. You will not force one on mine.
LikeLike
Doug, you are dealing with a bunch of knee-jerk, red-neck luddites.
Stay the course! As a right-winger who supports alternative power and who happens to really like wind power and turbines (yes, we want one in our back yard!), I am appalled by people like Hudak and the no-longer-progressive-conservatives.
LikeLike
I’m not sure that if you honestly did an assessment of the fact that wind turbines fail in all areas of environmental, economic and performance analyses you’d be so enamoured with them. Why are we following such an atavistic approach to what is increasingly being realized as a non-problem ?
LikeLike
While visiting San Diego, California I was astonished by the size of the Wind Farms along the road and asked questions…..There were “NO” negative replies, just very positive and they really do have problems in that state for basically it is a bankrupt state. Now I read about the buses being converted to low toxic exhaust Natural Gas and a host of other remedial venture such as Thermal energy recapture from earth vents similar to icelands…McGuinty did a piss poor job of consultation (Similar to the NHS) and getting stakeholder input and the the other the “Corporate opposition Party” is demonizing the Green Energy Project and stirring up, by their pet agitators and “their” Corporate media opposition to renewable energy…Not as an honest and caring concern but for “Hoped” political gain.
Being honest I rarely visit Regional Council Meeting but the few I did visited I came away with distaste for the majority “Corporate” players who it seemed basically controlled the Council, the Regional Staff and anyone who opposed their ideological Party agenda…BEING THE GOVERNMENT and POWER AT ALL COST REGARDLESS.
That is/was my impression of the people who were elected by the PEOPLE to represent the PEOPLE for the good of the PEOPLE.
Thank You Doug and yes Thank You
LikeLike
Wow….. Doug….. did someone crap in your Wheaties this morning?
Let’s touch on some points here. As for a municipality choosing to host these devices or not is a decision for the municipality and its residents. We live in a democratic society and quite frankly I am tired of having things shoved down my throat as I am certain these people are as well.
Have you read the latest Macleans? I’ve been to Germany and Holland. No one is a fan of wind generated power there.
I guess my point is that the province failed to properly design this project and execute it. Surprise….. They could have put these things where no one would be bothered. Instead they chose to permit installations around homes and schools.
FYI – landowners in Europe are getting twice what the landowners here are getting in terms of compensation. The money is out there to this right. It should be used to absorb the costs of remote installation rather than lining the pockets of the owners of NWP……..
As for the health science…. the jury is still out on the impacts of these things and I have personally read enough data on them to be convinced that there are issues that need to be addressed. As for property values, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist…… Perhaps we put one in your backyard Doug and you can eat the 30% decrease in your property value. Have you even been near one of these things or spoken to people who live next to them Doug?
As for the region, it has done what it should do and respected the wishes of two of its municipal constituents. That is after what it is supposed to do no? Represent, right or wrong, the will of the people? I wish more governments did that.
So grab a coffee…. get off the soap box…. and respect the fact that there are people out there that have a different opinion, for good reason, than you do on this matter.
Just sayin……….
A Response from Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper – Dear Greg, who has been such a great supporter of this site althouth we have not always agreed on editorial content. I must say n Greg, no one crapped on my cereal and and I don’t eat Wheaties by the way. Never did. My favourite breakfest cereal when I was a kid was Rice Chrispies – snap, crackle and pop – if you must know.
And so far as what got in my cereal, it is not about that but what I witnessed at the last meeting this September 19th of our regional council. I witnessed a council that did not have the guts to say “no”, we are a supporter of renewable and altnernative energy products that will lead the 21st century here. I witnessed them be cowered by an orchestrated minority of ill-informed residents who have been taken in by the propoganda of petro-chemical corporatinos when it comes to any swing away from their 19th-century based interests in keeping us on the equivalent of smoking cigarettes.
Dear Greg, I understand fully your concern around people having the right to make decisions for their own communities. In fact, I have written columns on this site and in other news venues, including Niagara This Week, when while I still had a stinit there, opposing former premier Dalton McGuinty’s decision to use legislation to take away home rule around any real environmental assesssment reviews when it comes to the location of wind farm and solar facilities.
But that is not whatever “crap” you think was in my Wheaties was reacting to now. What I was reacting to is a vocal group of people who have become fanatics – who have become as unreasonable to talk to as anyone you might try to talk to 20 or 30 years ago who believed that flouride in drinking water was a recipe for melting one’s liver and was some sort of ‘commie plot’.
That is what I object to, Greg – not the opportunity for local citizens to have say in future of their home communities. McGuinty ran over home rule, and that is criminal from a democratic point of view. But I don’t think McGuinty’s arrogant moves around all of this should become the reason for opposing baby steps Ontario is taking to move into a renewable energy market that other major powers around the world, including Germany and China, will dominate if we say no. There have been some global leaders who have said that those nations that move beyond the petro-chemical equation around energy will be the nations that lead the 21st century. That is what this is all about, in my view. Doug Draper
LikeLike
Doug, I’m disappointed you feel this way. The wind corporations in Ontario are the big fossil fuel corporations. We’re fighting the same battle against the same corporations here. Why are you disrespecting the grassroots environmentalists that are battling the industrialisation of their neighbourhoods? Do you trust Suncor when they say the tar sands can be developed in an environmentally sound manner? Do you take Enbridge’s word when they say the Line 9 reversal will have no risk to our Great Lake water supplies? I know I don’t and I sure as hell don’t trust these same corporations when they say there are no health or environment risks with industrial wind development in our neighbourhoods, These corporation use the same tactics and lies whether they are developing tarsands, building pipelines or industrial wind turbines. They downplay any environmental and health risks using the same slick public relation firms. They divide and conquer communities with promises of big economic pay offs, when the reality is most of the jobs are in construction. Once the projects are built there are few jobs left and profits fly off to far away cities and nations. Worst of all if a grassroots campaign miraculously does take hold and starts to have a effect they will hire the best law firms in the nation and launch SLAPP lawsuits against private citizens and groups that are fighting for their neighbourhoods. I know this first hand because my sister Esther Wrightman has been battling a wind factory proposed for her neighbourhood since 2009. The developer is a giant coal and nuclear giant based out of Florida that this summer launched a SLAPP lawsuit against her after she refused to take down a YouTube video she posted of them chainsawing down an active bald eagle nest (one of only 57 in Southern Ontario) to make way for a wind turbine access road. She’s doing what anyone would do, fighting for her neighbourhood, for her young family, for her environment, but NextEra, a corporation with annual revenues around 15 billion dollars found her video of environmental destruction too much of a threat and hired one of the largest legal firms on Bay street to take her out. These kinds of tactics can’t be something you agree with Doug, but this is what we have had to deal with for the last few years in rural Ontario. We are being exploited, nobody has our backs, we know we are on our own here, and there is a growing outrage. You got to experience the anger first hand at the Regional Council meeting and it obviously had a huge effect on you. Reacting with anger at their outrage can be an understandable reaction, but after a couple days of distance I would like you to acknowledge that this issue is far to complex for you to compartmentalize antiwind opposition as the work of “Tim Hudak” “whackjobs” “taken in by the propoganda of petro-chemical corporations”. You’re a smart guy, I know you’re not blinded by the prism of partisan bs, but this is a simplistic and wrong reading of the opposition here in rural Ontario. These people are not the enemy and keeping the debate at this level is doing a disservice to yourself and to your readers. This issue is real and it deserves more respect, there are large environmental implications, there are valid noise and health issues and it is creating serious strains in the social and economic fabric of rural Ontario.
LikeLike
Hi Doug, no offense intended re: crap….. Just an attempt at humour….
Listen I don’t think anyone here is against Green alternatives…..That is not the issue.
The issue is that this project was while well conceived, horribly designed and executed.
As for the people affected being difficult per se….. what do you expect? They are going nose to nose with a provincial government that has no interest in their well-being and democratic rights and we all know that can be a very frustrating experience. So perhaps a little empathy is in order instead of scorn. These people are fighting for their health and their security because as we all know a home is far more valuable than its sticker price to most. Here’s hoping you don’t ever find yourself at the end of that stick….. No one enjoys that!
I am grateful the regional government has chosen to side with the people who will be adversely affected by these farm installations.
With respect to being a world leader…. what’s the hurry? What’s a few years? There is a cost attached to leading/bleeding edge initiatives. Let’s learn, if we can, from the mistakes Germany et al have and will continue to make. As I have said, I have been there…. I know….. People are not happy! The Ontario government is already replicating mistakes made in Europe! Surprise…..
Again just sayin………
LikeLike