WEST LINCOLN — Local residents fighting existing and future wind turbines in the community had a disappointing end to 2014.

Just days before the end of last year, the divisional court ruled against an appeal filed by Huron farmers Shawn and Trish Drennan and several others in that area.  Two local groups, West Lincoln Glanbrook Wind Action Group and Mothers Against Wind Turbines were anxiously watching the case, which was based on issues similar to their own appeals.  Both groups sought intervener status on the case along with 12 similar groups across Ontario. The case covers three windmill projects near Lake Huron. The Drennans will have a turbine 700 metres from their farmhouse and a transformer closer than that. The Dixons, also appellants on the case, will have two turbines as just over the 550-metre setback imposed by the Act. The Kroeplins will have an Armow Wind turbine 559 metres from their home — which they sold in July — and another 12 within two kilometres.

The case is the first to reach the divisional court level despite two dozen appeals having been filed against projects approved under the province’s Green Energy Act. The first step in fighting approval is an appeal to the Environmental Review Tribunal, which can only decide on whether or not approved projects pose serious risk to human or animal health or the environment.   MAWT will begin its appeal Jan. 26 and the WLGWAG, filed by Caistor Centre residents Ed Engel and Anne Fairfield, wrapped up its hearing in the summer. Continue reading Local groups disappointed by court decision →

West Lincoln will never be the same

NRWC wind turbines  are 124 to 135 M to hub and the blade is another 46..6 M

 

A 100-metre wind turbine has collapsed on a mountainside near Fintona in County Tyrone.

Watch Video of News Report at site of fallen turbine

The turbine was one of eight on the Screggagh wind farm on Murley mountain.

It is not clear what caused the giant structure to collapse, but people in the industry said it was a highly unusual event especially as winds were light at the time. Continue reading Fintona, County Tyrone: 100-metre wind turbine collapses →

WIND farm critics are hoping an expert’s report to be presented in Portland next month will strengthen their case for official recognition of noise and health issues linked to turbines.

Among those planning to attend the report’s release will be Cape Bridgewater residents, some of whom claim their property values have been eroded since wind turbines were erected in the past decade. The Standard understands some houses on Blowholes Road, where turbines tower over the popular coastal spot, have been vacated.

Six people took part in acoustic testing for eight weeks in June and July related to the Pacific Hydro wind facility at Cape Bridgewater. Continue reading Wind farm critics keen to hear expert’s findings on turbine noise →

Please be aware that  dates and times are still subject to change.  These hearings are notorious for schedules that are very fluid.  We have  attached  is the schedule as it now stands.

MAWT v Director Case No 14-096 – Agreed Schedule

For review- is the full decision on the constitutionality of wind turbines court case in Ont. Divisional Court held in mid November 2014 in London before 3 judges.   Haldimand Wind Concerns, Mothers Against Wind Turbines,  joined 12 other wind groups to become a coalition to request to intervene to support the families opposing the projects.

As shown below , the Coalition in the decision, and Lambton County were accepted as intervenors and the lawyer representing us, Richard Macklin and the lawyer representing Lambton County were each given 15 minutes to explain their points in court and the 15 page factum that our lawyer gave the judges, was read and considered. Continue reading For review- is the full decision on the constitutionality of wind turbines →

Myth 1: Wind and Solar Will Displace Coal

Myth #2: Fossil Fuels Get More “Subsidies” Than Renewables

Myth #3: Americans Will be Using Less Electricity

Myth #4: Only Renewable Energy Systems are Evolving

Myth #5: Europe is the Example to Follow

Myth 1: Wind and Solar Will Displace Coal

Although growing in importance, wind and solar power are not expected to displace coal in the years ahead because they are only available “when the sun shines” and “when the wind blows.” The EIA’s National Energy Modeling System doesn’t forecast a wind and solar “explosion” as some want to claim because technical and physical limitations make them less reliable and more expensive. EIA-cited low capacity factors for wind (35%) and solar (23%), which often fall below 10%, are a constraining factor in our consumer-based society, where reliable electricity is needed on demand. Wind power, for instance, is best late at night when demand is lowest. Perhaps the best thing we can do for renewables is to move the focus away from deployment at all costs and center on more R&D to store electricity at utility-scale. Without greater storage options, wind and solar will remain much more “supplemental” than “alternative.” Carnegie Mellon’s Electricity Industry Center warns of a public backlash from higher costs if we try to install renewables too quickly: many Renewable Portfolio Standards are now being pulled back. Even our best costs estimates for renewables are often incomplete because they omit the requirement for new transmission and backup generation (“spinning reserve”) that comes from more reliable fossil fuels. It must also be noted here that wind and solar energy are not “new,” as many like to claim, but are among the oldest sources. The windmill goes back at least 3,000 years to ancient Persia (today’s Iran), and the ancient Egyptians utilized solar energy to heat their homes.

read more: Forbes, 2014/12/28, Jude Clemente

An Ontario court has dismissed a set of appeals from four families that sought to have provincial legislation related to the approvals of large-scale wind farms declared unconstitutional.

In a decision released on Monday, a panel of three Divisional Court judges ruled against the claims of the families who were concerned about the potential health effects of living as close as 500 metres to the turbines.

The families had argued that provincial legislation makes it impossible to scuttle a project on the basis of potential health impacts.

The case was considered the first constitutional challenge to the Green Energy Act to reach the appellate court level.

At issue was the proposed $850-million K2 Wind project, which would see 140 turbines put up near Goderich, Ont., the 92-turbine Armow wind farm near Kincardine, Ont., as well as the smaller 15-turbine St. Columban project near Seaforth, Ont. Continue reading Ontario families lose court bid to stop wind turbines →

Until Dec. 22, they lived less than a mile from one of the turbines, within a mile of five more. Each of the 16 turbines are taller than 500 feet and within two miles of their home.

Help has come from many of the family’s supporters — from people in Sheffield to the Danby-based Vermonters for a Clean Environment.

VCE executive director Annette Smith dipped into inheritance funds her parents left her to purchase the used trailer for the couple, saying she feared for the Therriens’ lives while trying to survive another winter on the mountain.

Ultimately, with VCE’s help, the Therriens’ former home will be turned into a motel of sorts. Guests will be educated on the effects of living near an industrial wind project site, said Smith.

“We are going to set it up as the First Wind Motel, that is our plan, and people can come up and experience it firsthand,” said Luann. A minimum stay of several nights will be required so the experience is meaningful, said Smith, adding that the same idea is being discussed near a wind project in another state.

Smith said, “Someone will be staying at the house in Sheffield after the Therrien family leaves.”

‘This family was out of time’: Sheffield family resettled with help   http://www.vermonttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20141228/NEW…;

Citizens’ Task Force on Wind Power – Maine