Wind power blows into Paisley

Town Council

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NextEra Energy, with its parent company Florida Power & Light (FPL), is moving into Bruce County.

The company brought a deputation to Saugeen Shores Town Council at its Monday night (August 10) meeting to explain its recent move into the Paisley area.

Representative, Nicole Geneau, explained that the company has 65 wind farms in 16 states and two provinces, Nova Scotia and Quebec. "We are looking at expanding into Ontario as there is a good wind resource and also agricultural land where windmills can be installed. So far, in Paisley, we are looking at six turbines producing 9MW of power, enough for 2,000 homes and businesses."

Accordiong to Geneau, the company (FPL) works with companies such as General Electric (GE) and Siemen's when it comes to manufacturing and parts.

Derek Dudek of NextEra Energy, also explained to Council that the Green Energy Act draft, approved in the spring of this year by the Provincial government, has a deadline of August 24th for public input before the final regulations are approved.

There were many questions from council ranging from setback allowances to taxpayer subsidizes and the lack of control by municipalities in making wind farm location decisions.

Although the deputation appeared to be an initial presentation to council regarding wind-farm installations in the area, Deputy Mayor Doug Freiburger raised the question as to whether or not the company had, in fact, already optioned property owners and cited potential areas for installation. The answer was affirmative.

Councillor, Diane Huber, said she had "... acquired a different outlook about wind turbines and can appreciate the rules of the game that seem to have changed with public information." She added however that she felt the company should make it easier for residents to contact the company regarding concerns. She also asked about whether or not issues had been included in the Green Energy Act about the reassessment of land after the installation of wind mills.

"I would like to know what type of turbine is being considered," asked Councillor Victoria Serda, "and also if local people are being considered for maintenance once the windmills are installed and if material used are going to be Canadian made.?"

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11/08/2009 10:41 PM

Geneau said that the company was considering using local employment if possible but, that is was difficult to ensure Canadian made products as everything (manufacturing) is being done through General Electric " ... which is a huge conglomerate."

Vice Deputy Mayor, Doug Gowanlock, also objected to the fact the it appeared the local residents of Bruce County were, in fact, subsidizing the power grid for the rest of the province.

Freiburger, who is also the Chair of the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA), pointed out that the nuclear plant (Bruce Power/OPG) already has transmission issues. "I know we have a challenge with transmission of power from this area and this will just be another energy that we haven't figured out how to transmit."

He also wanted to know who is going to provide peer review. "Under the Conservation Authorities and Clean Water Source Protection Act," he pointed out, "there is peer review. Now, with the Green Energy Act, there doesn't seem to be that control. "

Pat Becker of Genivar, the design and planning company, said that there is no peer review and that any review will be going to the Provincial and Federal agencies. "It's a little different now," she said, "as it doesn't come back to the municipalities anymore." In fact, under the Green Energy Act, the requirement for local permits and zoning has been taken away with the intention of streamlining and accelerating the permit process for wind power unit construction.

According to the deputation from NextEra Energy and Genivar, several studies must be undertaken surrounding issues such as natural wildlife and heritage that include avian and bat studies, archaeological and noise studies, public, municipal and aboriginal consultations among others.

The Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Culture and the provincial government in general now has complete autonomy over the environment as it pertain to energy production through wind resource.

"As municipalities," said Freiburger, "we had the right to bump up decisions to the next level and now there is no-one to review any decisions made ... they are just made."

The deputation made to Saugeen Shores council outlined the area for the new wind farm in the area of Paisley as the area bordered by Bruce Road 40, Sideroad 10 North Elderslie, Concession 6 Elderslie and bordering the wetlands o Saugeen Shores

The presentation made to Town Council was titled, 'Update & Discussion of Wind Opportunity in Saugeen Shores' and, while the presentation was made as a matter of formality, there is apparently little that can be done to alter any decisions regarding wind power installations, given the Green Energy Act and its seemingly imminent passing into legislation in the fall.