(continued)

Province in violation of its own Green Energy Act?

Town Council

To Comment on this article Click Here

Although the proposed wind energy projects at Aaron Elderslie and North Bruce in Bruce County by Leader Resources appeared to be a 'fait accompli', that may not be the case.

At Saugeen Shores' Town Council meeting on Monday night (Feb.14), Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau put forward a motion to petition the Provincial Government to halt the projects on the basis that public input and community consultation has not been completed.

"Under the Green Energy Act, Section 2, projects cannot be installed without public input and community consultation and this has not happened," Charbonneau pointed out, "so the Provincial Government is actually in violation of its own act.  All we are proposing is that the government provide documentation that it has, in fact, followed due process."

According to Charbonneau, some councilors are opposed to wind turbines as are many people in the community.  "This is not an attack on Leader Resources," he stated.  "The problem is community consultation has not been done sufficiently by the province and, therefore, it has not lived up to the tenets of its own Green Energy Act."

Charbonneau pointed out this [motion] is simply asking a senior level of government to provide a municipality with documentation of the consultative process.  "It's not being unreasonable to ask the province to speak to the concerns of the people of this community. Any development has to go through the process and the province has swept away their own process."

Charles Edey, President of Leader Resources, who attended the meeting saw things very differently.  "We are in the middle of consultation right now regarding Aaron Elderslie and haven't even begun the process for North Bruce.  They (Council) want to step outside the regulatory body.  It's unusual to say the least that, before you start the process, this is show by the municipality to step outside the Province's mandate.  Properly sited turbines are good for the farmers, good for the community and good for the planet."

To see Charles Edey's previous presentation to Saugeen Shores Town Council  Click here

For many more articles regarding wind turbine projects in the region   Read here

The following is the actual motion that was passed by Council:

MOVED BY: Deputy Mayor Charbonneau

SECONDED BY: Councillor Seaman

Whereas Notice is hereby given that the following Motion will be considered at the March 14th, 2011 Committee of Whole Meeting.

And Whereas Section 2 of The Green Energy Act 2009 states that “This Act shall be administered in a manner that promotes community consultation”.

And Whereas through these words, the Government of Ontario has committed itself to actively discuss the merits of proposed renewable energy projects with the Community in order to get Community approval and permission to allow said projects to proceed.

And Whereas there has been no community approval or permission for either the Arran Wind Project or the North Bruce Wind Project.

Now Therefore be it Resolved That the Council of the Town of Saugeen Shores requests the following of the Province of Ontario:

That approvals for the Arran Wind Project and the North Bruce Wind Project be suspended until the Government of Ontario receives community approval and permission to allow said projects to proceed as required under Section 2 of The Green Energy Act, 2009;

And That with specific regard to the Arran Wind Project and the North Bruce Wind Project, the Government of Ontario produces documentation explaining in detail how it intends to fulfill its obligations under Section 2 of The Green Energy Act;

And Further that this resolution be circulated to all Municipalities within Bruce and Grey Counties as well as Bruce County and Grey County requesting their support;

And Further that this Resolution be forwarded to AMO for circulation to all Municipalities in Ontario;

And Further that this resolution be forwarded for action to the Premier’s Office, The Ministry of Health, The Ministry of Environment and Energy, The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and the MPPs in Bruce and Grey Counties.

Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area.  You can click on the ads for more

 
Survey Participate in our latest Saugeen Times survey Read More

 

 

 

Copyright Saugeen & Kincardine Times

 for world news, books, sports, movies ...

Wednesday, February 16, 2011