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Wind development in rural Ontario can be a win-win, says writer |
Letter to the Editor To Comment on this article Click Here |
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Dear Editor: Wind development and community can work together. With smart planning and open communication, wind development in rural Ontario can be a win-win. Renewable energy isn't going away and rather than push back against it, we need to help communities be part of the new energy conversation. Since June, Friends of Wind Ontario has organized a series of events across southern Ontario. Many people have attended meetings in Clinton, Chatham and London to hear speakers from the science, business, utility, legal and government sector, local community members and farmers. These events have been organized to give communities the chance to learn about the facts and benefits surrounding renewable energy and wind development (www.friendsofwind.ca). The positive feedback that we receive on a daily basis speaks for itself. Our public events positively influence public perception of wind power through fact-based and non-confrontational discussions. It is a sign of hope. People across Canada want to invest in renewable energy and are welcoming diversification of energy generation. Ontario is joining a global movement that is seeing utilities and governments recognize that wind energy is a smart choice for both electricity systems and electricity customers. The barrier to support the Green Energy Act seems to be a closed mind-set. Compared
to other sources, wind-energy is an environmental winner. It is
emission-free, consumes no water, produces no waste and is 100-per-cent
renewable. The total for 2010 was about $350,000 for the existing turbines in Kincardine. Building permits, property taxes,
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Wind
has been a source of electricity in Europe for
decades. One example illustrates the hundreds of others. There is a
small community of 160 citizens at the North Sea in northern Germany.
Last June at the University of Guelph, I met the farmer and founder of
the first community-owned wind park and learned that people have lived
within 300 metres of 30 large wind turbines for 19 years. They are all
happy and healthy! I encourage you to visit the 3rd Community Power Conference, Nov. 14-15, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (www.cpconfercence.ca) and learn more about all energy sources from national and international experts who have been working in the field for a long time. Mark your calendar for Nov. 3, from 7-9 p.m., at the Port Albert Inn if you are interested in discussing the importance of grassroots support for wind energy. For more information, E-mail rjsplett@hurontel.on.ca Jutta Splettstoesser Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
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