Green Energy Act needs work, says township building official
By Liz Dadson 

Huron-Kinloss Council

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The provincial government's Green Energy Act is long on regulations but short on information, says Huron-Kinloss chief building official Matt Farrell.

Reporting to council at the general committee meeting July 6, Farrell said the Act lays out the full rules and regulations for renewable energy, including wind, solar, geothermal and bio-mass operations, with wind farms being a big a part of it.

These regulations supersede any sections in the Planning Act pertaining to renewable energy, he said, and municipal consultation will now include two public meetings, held by the proponent of wind projects, with notification to the province that those meetings were held.

There are provisions for the Ontario Ministry of Resources, conservation authorities and Aboriginal rights to be consulted on wind farms, but not emergency services, said Farrell, and they should be.

As for setbacks, he said the minimum is 550 metres (1,650 feet) but that could be reduced when windmills are constructed near commercial businesses, rather than residences.

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14/07/2009 06:21 PM

As for health problems related to wind farms, Farrell said the Ontario Ministry of the Environment is still gathering information on that.

"I'd like to see the province go to all wind companies and tell them to bury the lines from the unfiltered electrical source," said councillor Anne Eadie, "or filter it at the source."

"There was no mention of that," said Farrell, adding that there were also no answers to questions about road standards, given the township's concern about having control over municipal roadways. "A working group is meeting with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and several other agencies regarding municipal consultation (on the Act)," he said.

"Was there any information about cumulative effects?" asked Eadie. "Is it worse with one windmill versus 10?"

Farrell said that was referred to in the minimum distance setbacks and is based on noise levels. "If a noise study shows the distance can be only 600 metres, you could have more windmills in the area," he said. "There are many things to be addressed yet (in the Act)."

"Is there a mechanism for problems after a wind farm is built?" asked Eadie. "A conflict resolution plan is very necessary."

"There is nothing in place," said Farrell.