|
Wind farms still a problem, says Colling by Liz Dadson |
Huron-Kinloss Council To Comment on this article Click Here |
|||
|
Wind farm operators may be burying lines, but there are still health concerns related to the turbines. That's the message from David Colling who spoke to Huron-Kinloss council in general committee Monday morning (Jan. 11). "I'm here to clear up some statements made in the media regarding the burying of electrical collection and transmission lines to and from the Enercon E82 wind turbines in Huron Township," Colling said. "The only electrical collection lines that have been buried are the ones near Concession 6/Sideroad 30 and Concession 4/Sideroad 25, and these lines were buried over 16 months ago. All that was done this fall was that the unused above-ground collection lines at these areas were taken down and portions of the grounding network for the wind turbines on Concession 2/Sideroad 25 buried." He said the health problems experienced by some of the residents in these areas are still occurring. "All of the lines must be buried, not just portions, but that won't happen because it would cost the wind farm companies more money. I have talked to the victims who live near the current Ripley wind farm and they say it is not too bad until the wind blows hard, then the heart palpitations come back. "As you will see in the enclosed literature, not only is there an electrical pollution effect but also an infrasound (audible and non-audible) effect," he said. "The health effects of these industrial wind farms is a very serious problem that is being experienced worldwide." He said the problem of electrical pollution has not been addressed on the 2nd Concession, and the only way to fix it properly is to install all the generating collection lines from the windmills underground. Unfortunately, "the rules in Canada are there to protect wind farm owners, not us," he said. Colling said more study is needed on wind turbines. In Japan, the government has launched a four-year epidemiological study into "Wind Turbine Disease." In the United States, the problem is referred to as "Wind Turbine Syndrome." However, there is another major concern for taxpayers in Huron-Kinloss and that is decommissioning of the wind turbines once their life span has ended. "How can we protect our township from liability of decommissioning of these wind turbines in the future?" asked Colling. "I am certain that many farmers are going to regret signing wind leases as the health problems experienced near the 38 existing turbines happen again, and in the future once the wind turbine life is over and decommissioning is necessary." Mayor Mitch Twolan said the township has a $1.5-million line of credit for the existing Acciona/Suncor wind farm. That equates to $100,000 per turbine for the 38 windmills. "I'm just glad the lease (for a windmill) ran out on my farm," said Colling. "If the company built a turbine there, I'd have to dump the farm." "I've been on record as against these windmills right from the start," said councillor Jim Hanna. "My concerns with decommissioning is that a large portion of the material (in the turbine) is not recyclable and will end up filling up our landfill." He said the township put forward a 1,200-metre minimum setback for windmills but that was struck down by the province. "The township has done a wonderful job," said Colling. "The 1,200-metre setback was a great idea but now your hands are tied." "So, what do we do now?" asked councillor Lillian Abbott.
|
"I'm just here to counter what was reported in the media," said Colling. "Everything is not all better now. One affected family has been living in a motel since April, paid for by the wind farm company. Another family has gone for good. If the same things happen in the next few months, you're going to have a vacant township in certain areas." Murray Ferguson, Elliott Lowry and Peter Walden were also on hand at the council meeting, to update the township on the status of the Reid's Corners Wind Farm Co-op project. Ferguson said that six years ago, a group of landowners signed up as the co-op but their leases ran out at the end of 2009. Twolan said turbines could hinder development down the road if they are allowed anywhere west of Highway 21. "It's frustrating for the municipality because the provincial policy statement allows turbines on agricultural land," he said. "We had a banner building year in 2009. Years down the road, we could be looking at a sewer project along the lakeshore. We've been to the OMB (Ontario Municipal Board) and we tried to deal with the issues (around windmills). Now, we're concerned for our residents who are suffering from health problems related to wind farms." "The province has taken away the one tool we had at the planning stage," said Hanna. "It's going to take a grassroots movement to stop anything now." "We're not so much opposed to wind farms," said Lowry. "If our wind farm comes, we want to see how it proceeds. We don't want health concerns. We want sound wave controls and the lines buried." "That's part of our frustration," said Twolan. "Under the (provincial) Green Energy Act, all of these parameters are laid out." Chief building official Matt Farrell said the township still has some power under the Ontario Municipal Act, such as control over municipal rights-of-way and municipal roads. Colling said an independent consultant was in one of the victim's homes and the sound waves registered at 75 decibels. The public is required to wear hearing protection at 74 decibels, he said, and the windows act as a membrane, amplifying the noise. "We're trying to protect the victims who are being laughed at," he said. "Have you talked to (Huron-Bruce MPP) Carol Mitchell?" asked Twolan. "She's not been very supportive," said Colling. Twolan invited Colling to make his presentation at Bruce County council. "There's a lot of conflicting information out there," said Farrell, adding that a United States indicated that electrical pollution is not a factor in health concerns related to wind farms. Twolan urged the Reid's Corners Co-op members to work with the township if a wind farm comes forward. "The farming community needs to make money, we understand that," he said. "We're here to work together for the benefit of everyone, including the wind farm operators who are only following the guidelines from the province.
|
|||
|
 for
world news,
books, sports, movies ...Tuesday, January 12, 2010 |
