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Animals and turbines, Destruction from turbines, Environment, harm to wildlife

Raptors are being Slaughtered By Wind Turbines in Ontario

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turkey-vulture-a
“The infection in her eye had also abated, but she had likely suffered some permanent loss of vision.”

“A volunteer had found an injured turkey vulture beneath a wind turbine and brought her to Salthaven where triage revealed she was suffering from head trauma. She didn’t have any lacerations or bone fractures (injuries commonly sustained by birds that have collided with turbines), but one of her eyes was badly infected…”

By Jenna Hunnef   Published: Tuesday, November 22, 2016 5:40:53 EST PM 

Special to Londoner

The North American turkey vulture isn’t accorded the same dignified status as its fellow raptors, such as the eagle, hawk, or falcon. Instead, it has traditionally been feared as an omen of death or reviled as a scavenging scoundrel. But we tend to think a little differently here at Salthaven.

The turkey vulture possesses many characteristics that distinguish it from other birds of prey, making it an adept custodian of the natural world. Like hawks, falcons, eagles, and ospreys, turkey vultures possess an acute sense of vision, but they are doubly gifted in the avian world with powerful olfactory senses attuned to certain odours—a rarity among North American birds. The gregariousness of turkey vultures is another key feature that distinguishes them from their raptor kin. Outside of breeding season, it is common to see them congregated in large flocks (“kettles”), which can consist of hundreds of individuals….”

READ AT: http://www.thelondoner.ca/2016/11/22/salthavens-patient-of-the-week-if-at-first-you-dont-succeed

Contracts Cancelled, Cost Benefit, Green Energy, Ontario Wind

Industrial wind turbine industry found dead in Ontario

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coffin-and-mountaineersThroughout the industry’s life industrial wind turbine showed steady increases in real costs with each round of procurement. It became more expensive to acquire and more poorly sited –…

Source: Industrial wind turbine industry found dead in Ontario

Adverse Health Effects, Animals and turbines, Environment, Green Energy, Health, Ontario Wind

Public Information Meeting 2016

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Blue Heron
Blue Heron

“This Great Blue Heron was found injured along a fenceline south of Smithville on August 28, 2016. Its location was approximately 600 meters west of an Industrial Wind Turbine that had been in testing phase for several previous days. The SPCA was called and the bird was taken away. Remediation was not practical, for both legs were broken. The bird was euthanized a few days later.”    Loretta Shields presentation

West Lincoln Glanbrook Wind Action Group(WLGWAG) held their annual general meeting which was followed by a public information meeting held in alliance with Mothers Against Wind Turbines Inc. (MAWTI). Good eats, good people and good discussions ensued. The meeting was well attended including local West Lincoln Council members and the newly elected MPP of Niagara West- Glanbrook, Sam Oosterhoof.  The MPP took multiple questions ranging from rising electrical rates and included impacts and harms of the wind projects.  The area is the unwilling host of several wind projects including HAF Wind Energy and Niagara Wind.  The groups are hard at work to ensure protection of all residents from the risks now present in our communities.

Public Information Meeting and AGM – December 1st, 2016

The following documents were presented and discussed at WLGWAG & MAWT’s Public Information Meeting session;

1.) What’s New? – Dec. 2016 Update – By Mike Jankowski:
In Niagara, one of the world’s largest wind power generation facilities has risen above our landscape. Here, we discussed a brief overview of recent events, what we are doing about it and who we will work with to see it through.
Click here to view Mike’s presentation.

2.) The High Costs of Keeping the Lights On – By Deb Hughes:
From 2006-15, electricity costs have risen over 60% and continue to. Here, Deb discussed how this happened and explains how Wind Power Generation is playing a significant part in this.
Click here to view Deb’s presentation.

3.) Why We Didn’t Need Wind Capacity and What Really Replaced Coal? – By Catherine Mitchell:
In Ontario, businesses are challenged to be profitable and people struggle to pay their bills due to the high cost of electricity. Here we discuss why we already had extra power capacity without wind and that actually Hydro and Solar did more to replace coal than wind.
Click here to view Catherine’s presentation.

4.) Tree Cutting: Consequences to Ecological Services & Destruction of our Roadside Landscape – By Loretta Shields:
One of the main drivers behind the Green Energy Act was to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.  Carbon dioxide is considered a greenhouse gas, and shown to have a role in climate change.  Trees absorb or “sequester” carbon dioxide, and provide a means to store atmospheric carbon for many, many years.
West Lincoln, Wainfleet and Haldimand lost thousands of trees which were cut down or trimmed to make way for industrial wind power.  Ironically, no remediation plans for the replacement of these trees has been announced by the Niagara Region Wind Farm.  Our Community is now in a deficit position in terms of carbon sequestration.  Other ecological services provided by trees, including oxygen production, habitat for wildlife, the reduction of home emissions due to shading homes (cooling effects) and windbreaks (reducing heating costs) are now also reduced.

US Forest Carbon Calculator:  Click here

Click here to view Loretta’s presentation.

5.) Reporting Issues: What and Where Should I Report? – By Anne Fairfield:
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has authority over wind power generation and is the regulator mandated to protect communities. If you experience issues you suspect are due to wind turbines, it is essential you report them. If you do not report – it didn’t happen as far as the documented record is concerned – they can’t manage what they can’t see. Learn what to report and how.

Spills Action Centre: 1-800-268-6060     Call at any time to report
Click here to view Anne’s presentation.
ERT Appeal, legal challenges, Unite the Fight!

APPEC Report on the Remedy Hearing for the White Pines Wind Project

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appec's avatarAlliance to Protect Prince Edward County

update2In mid-November the Tribunal issued its decisions on our motions. While some were unsuccessful, overall we were encouraged by the results and with two decisions in particular. We are very pleased that the Tribunal has ordered Dr. Reynolds, WPD’s expert on bats, to return for further cross-examination. The Tribunal is also permitting APPEC to produce documents through a qualified expert witness on the government’s recent policy reversal on renewable energy.

We are fortunate in having Tom Adams as our qualified expert witness. Mr. Adams has worked for several environmental organizations and has served on the Ontario Independent Electricity Market Operator Board of Directors. As an energy and environmental advisor and researcher he has given expert testimony before many legislative committees and regulatory tribunals in Canada. Among other things Mr. Adams will testify that Ontario currently has a significant oversupply of energy (more than 10 years’ worth) and that there is…

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Adverse Health Effects, Children Affected, Green Energy, The problem with Wind Turbines

Interview AM900 CHML of WLGWAG Chair

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wlwag-2013

West Lincoln Glanbrook Wind Action Group (WLGWAG) in partnership with Mothers Against Wind Turbines Inc. held a recent information session in Smithville.  On December 1st , 2016  WLGWAG Chair, Mike Jankowski was interviewed prior to the public meeting and questioned on reactions to the Premier’s “mistake”, the Green Energy Act, impacts to health and well-being and the recently operational Niagara Wind Project.

P.S. His last name is  “JAN-KOW-SKI”

To hear the interview:

  1. Set “Audio Date” to December 1
  2. Set “Audio Time: to 2:00 PM, click play
  3. Fast forward to 40:00 (3 quarters of the way) by clicking the bar below the play button

http://www.900chml.com/audio/

Contracts Cancelled, Cost Benefit, Green Energy, Ontario Wind

Information is Power

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Wind Turbines --- say NOWind Warriors share the common quest seeking information about wind power. Information sources are often not available, incomplete or obscure.

The Independent Electricity System Operator is a starting point to understand the components of Ontario’s energy grid.  Experts are aware of IESO’s short comings and limitations but for citizen researchers the information presented marks a good place to begin the quest for knowledge and data about how power is generated.

ontario-energy-map
Interactive Map of Electricity Generation Sites:

ELECTRICITY GENERATION SITES: http://www.ieso.ca/ontarioenergymap/index.html

chatham-kent-ontario-kruger-energy-port-alma-wind-from-merlin-road-5
Chatham Kent- Kruger Port Alma Wind view from Merlin Road 5

WIND CONTRACTS: https://www.powerauthority.on.ca/current-electricity-contracts/wind

 

installed-capacity-by-fuel-type-june-2016-for-power-data-with-solar

SUPPLY OVERVIEW: http://www.ieso.ca/Pages/Power-Data/Supply.aspx#list

ABOUT IESO: http://www.ieso.ca/Pages/About-the-IESO/default.aspx

Contracts Cancelled, Cost Benefit, Green Energy, Ontario Wind

Repeal The Green Energy Act

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dscn1455
Hydro Grid located outside the shuttered Nanticoke Coal Generation Plant

 

“Ontario’s legislature must repeal Green Energy and Green Economy Act, legislation that drove unprecedented politicization of power sector decision making and needlessly harms ratepayers.”  Tom Adams Energy Expert

Ontario’s electricity bills are rising and Global News asked a panel of experts to weigh how they would make things better. The responses focused on the influence of renewable generation and cost impacts to those who foot the bills.  Parker Gallant, Jane Wilson of WCO, Mark Winfield, and Tom Adams provided insights into the causes of the current deepening consumer crisis.  Energy poverty which is forcing the heart wrenching decision whether to eat or try to pay the electricity bill.

Ontario electricity rates: Experts explain how they would make power cheaper

By Staff Global News

Over 90 per cent of Ontarians want some form of relief on their electricity bills, and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has called high energy costs in the province her “mistake.” 

And as Global News first reported, nearly 60,000 households were disconnected in 2015 after they fell behind on their bills…..

READ AT: http://globalnews.ca/news/3091320/ontario-electricity-rates-experts-explain-how-they-would-make-power-cheaper/

Adverse Health Effects, Children Affected, Direct Effects, Green Energy, Health

Wind Turbine Investigation

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wind-turbine-investigationMedia Release                                  

Huron County Health Unit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 29, 2016

Information Session on Wind Turbine Investigation

Huron County, ON – Residents of Huron County are invited to an information session hosted by the Huron County Health Unit.  The session is about the upcoming investigation related to reported human health concerns associated with residential proximity to industrial wind turbines.  There will be information on the investigation survey, and time for residents’ questions.

December 6, 2016

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Huron County Health Unit

Health and Library Complex, 77722B London Road, Clinton, Ontario

Please let us know if you plan to attend at 519-482-3416 (dial 0 to speak to the receptionist)

Green Energy, Ontario Wind

Public Meeting in Smithville

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wlgwag-agm-2016Dear friends,

We will have our Annual General Meeting (6:30) followed by a Public information meeting and all are welcome to attend. We will have our newly elected MPP present and good news for our community.   WLGWAG

When? Thurs day, Dec 1 @ 7PM

Where? Covenant Christian School

6470 Regional Rd #14, P.O. Box 924  Smithville, ON  L0R

Adverse Health Effects, Green Energy, Ontario Wind

Wind Industry in trouble in Niagara Region and beyond

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“house surrounded by wind turbinesI’m seriously worried that our region will miss out on a significant economic opportunity if the Ontario government doesn’t stick to its renewable energy targets.” – Tom Rankin, CEO, Rankin Construction, Niagara, Ontario”

All together now let’s raise a glass of cheer and send them all packing!  The Harm the wind industry has inflicted fails to generate any sympathy over their current wails of woes.  Niagara Wind came online in October 2016 and already MOECC is being called out to measure noise emissions and  multiple complaints  demanding investigation, representing a new wave of families and individuals who are finding their health adversely impacted by wind turbines. Yet project operators and industry continue to turn a deaf ear, heckle and belittle impacted residents and no meaningful action taken to relieve suffering of wind power’s making.

Turbines continued to be allowed to kill wildlife and fragment sensitive environmental habitats with the protections of legislated government statutes. Yet its is expected the ratepayers paying for this sorry state of affairs are expected to be worried about the wind industry’s economic well- being?   Sorry no go.   If wind power wants to survive as a viable renewable and be “sustainable” it is beyond time to clean up the mess and deal with the realities of your spinning Industrial turbine generators.

Responding to the rising heat of political wildfire,  wind proponents in the Niagara region have banded together and created yet another lobby group. The following commentary beats false tones on the PR drum extolling claimed wind power virtues and benefits.  READ AT: https://niagaraatlarge.com/2016/11/17/niagara-ontario-employers-fight-to-protect-jobs-and-a-clean-affordable-energy-supply/

Niagara, Ontario Employers Fight to Protect Jobs and a Clean, Affordable Energy Supply

Posted on November 17, 2016 | 3 Comments

“I’m seriously worried that our region will miss out on a significant economic opportunity if the Ontario government doesn’t stick to its renewable energy targets.” – Tom Rankin, CEO, Rankin Construction, Niagara, Ontario

Rankin Construction, Pumpcrete Join Province-Wide Coalition to Promote Renewable Energy and Protect Jobs in our Region

A Call-Out to the Ontario government from the Renewable Energy Alliance of Ontario

Posted November 17th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

St. Catharines/Niagara, Ontario – Local business leaders Tom Rankin and Ken Williams called on the Ontario government (this November 16th_ to protect local jobs by ensuring that renewable energy remains a vital part of Ontario’s Long-Term Energy Plan.renewable-energy

Rankin, CEO of Rankin Construction on Martindale Road, and Williams, President of Pumpcrete on Progress Street, will be representing the newly formed Renewable Energy Alliance of Ontario (REAO) at Ministry of Energy led consultations tonight at the Holiday Inn on Ontario Street in St. Catharines.

Together, Rankin Construction and Pumpcrete employ over 700 hundred people in the St. Catharines and Niagara Falls region.

Rankin and Williams will be making the following points to government officials:

1) Renewable energy helps to stabilize long-term energy costs.

2) Ontarians support renewable energy by wide margins, and are in favour of increased investment in renewable energy technologies.

3) Investment in renewable energy technology has resulted in the creation good paying jobs in the Niagara region. Since 2012, renewable energy has created over 1000 jobs in the region, and increased the regions employment capacity by a minimum of three hundred thousand working hours. This new work has a positive economic impact for the province and the municipalities that host renewable energy sites.

4) As Ontario moves toward the implementation of the Climate Change Action Plan, there is a projected increase in demand for energy and Ontario will need to meet this increase in a cost effective and carbon neutral way.

5) Ontario must stick to the target of 50 per cent renewables by 2025 if it is to maintain its place as a world leader in renewable energy in the face of stiff international competition from China and India.

6) Renewable energy is now as cost effective as other sources of energy. It is not the reason Ontarians have been facing higher hydro rates.

Quotes:

“Rankin construction has been located in St. Catharines since 1978 and I’m seriously worried that our region will miss out on a significant economic opportunity if the Ontario government doesn’t stick to its renewable energy targets.  Ontarians need clean and affordable energy and the people of St. Catharines need more well-paying jobs. Renewable energy needs to be at the core of the provincial Long-Term Energy Plan.” – Tom Rankin – CEO, Rankin Construction

“Renewable energy like wind is now equal in cost to traditional energy sources.  India and China are investing billions of dollars into renewable energy industries. We can’t afford to lose any more ground.” –Ken Williams – President, Pumpcrete

Renewable Energy Alliance of Ontario:

The Renewable Energy Alliance of Ontario is a broad coalition of employers, labour and industry groups dedicated to working with the Ontario government to ensure renewable energy continues to play a vital role in Ontario’s energy mix.  At present membership includes the following organizations:

  • The International Union of Operating Engineers
  • The Laborers’ International Union of North America
  • The Ontario Crane Rental Association
  • The Canadian Wind Energy Association
  • The Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario
  • Rankin Construction
  • Pumpcrete
  • Surespan Wind Energy