Category Archives: Property Rights
No guarantee town safe from turbines
No guarantee town safe from turbines
Niagara This Week – St. Catharines
Re: Grimsby to examine turbine question, Nov. 7.
I chuckled at comments made by Mayor Bentley and Ald. Seaborn assuring residents that Grimsby will not be considered for wind turbines.
Mayor Bentley seems to think that there is a lack of wind that makes Grimsby unsuitable but I suggest that residents check out the wind speed maps on the Ministry of Natural Resources website. They will see that the wind speeds in Grimsby may actually be slighter better than those documented for both Wainfleet and West Lincoln where wind projects have been approved or are in process. In fact, the maps show many parts of Ontario where the wind speed is no different than that experienced in Grimsby yet they now have hundreds of wind turbines.
Mayor Bentley and Ald. Seaborn are dead wrong if they think Grimsby is somehow safe from the onslaught. The wind speed maps on the MNR website show many areas where the wind speed is considered less than acceptable yet wind turbine projects have been approved.
Once the wind projects start, they continue to get approved. Look at the experience of other areas where over the past few years; many projects were approved and have resulted in hundreds of wind turbines. It starts with one small project and then it continues. Chatham-Kent has 629 wind turbines either already erected or in process, Huron is at 512 and Thunder Bay is at 537. Check out the wind speed maps for those areas and then ask if Grimsby is safe.
I would suggest that the part of Grimsby above the escarpment is a very likely target, particularly after the infrastructure for transmission is in place. Two projects have now been approved for Niagara and the third is in process. It won’t stop there, and residents in other parts of Niagara should be aware of that. Chatham-Kent is approximately the same size as Niagara and to achieve the numbers that the provincial government is committed to, they will have to look beyond Wainfleet and West Lincoln.
Courts have recently ruled that Trillium Energy could sue the province for pulling their contract to place wind turbines in Lake Ontario. It was the Liberals that chose to declare a moratorium on off-shore wind turbines prior to the last election. The recent court decision may affect the province’s policy on wind turbines in the Great Lakes. Residents of Grimsby could very well find themselves looking at wind turbines in the lake and atop the escarpment, as they can be seen from miles and miles away.
Mayor Bentley and Ald. Seaborn should not be making promises that they may not be able to keep. Although it doesn’t guarantee anything, residents of Grimsby should be demanding that Council declare the town to be a unwilling host.
Henry Van Ryn,
Grimsby
The Human Cost of the Green Energy Act
Garth Manning – November 17, 2013 – Toronto Sun
In 2009, the Ontario government, seeking to appear green, expropriated our property rights and democratic freedoms with its Green Energy Act (GEA).
The GEA removed the power of municipal politicians to represent their constituents in green energy matters and imposed 550 meters as a regulated setback in an attempt to protect rural citizens from industrial wind developments.
Many governments also fell in line with the worldwide movement to appear green, led by wind energy developers.
But not all governments had the good fortune of hearing firsthand from people already adversely impacted elsewhere by wind turbines near their homes, as was the case for Ontario.
And yet the Ontario government proceeded.
Unlike the costly Ontario process of appealing a wind project, Alberta has a different approach.
There, appeals to Environmental Review Tribunals are substantially subsidized by the developer.
By order of the Alberta Utilities Commission, developers pay a portion of appellant costs in advance, according to need.
In stark contrast, in Ontario, where turbines are much closer to rural neighbourhoods, each local or regional group must raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to cover all legal costs for each appeal and to challenge not only the wind company but also the Ontario environment ministry.
To defend their rights, Albertans and Ontarians are up against exceedingly well-funded, corporate lawyers and government-paid lawyers.
Toronto human rights lawyer Julian Falconer argues that the GEA and the government’s approval of wind projects “implicates their right to security of the person” as guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights, in view of potential health impacts.
These health impacts were noted on Oct. 17, 2013 when the Ontario government’s Research Chair for Renewable Energy Technologies and Health at the University of Waterloo reported a statistically significant correlation between proximity to industrial wind turbines and sleep deprivation, tinnitus and vertigo.
The government of Ontario has been widely criticized, even by its own agencies, for its roll out of the GEA four years ago. Ontario’s Auditor-General reported in 2011 that a cost-benefit analysis was never done and there was no impact study of the effects on property values, tourism and health.
Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner and Ontario’s Environmental Review Tribunal opposed the effect of industrial wind turbines on wildlife at Ostrander Point.
Economists, health care providers, mayors, and those affected have consistently made their views known, but concerns have fallen on deaf ears.
Around the world, politicians have succumbed to corporate promises of “quick and easy” methods to save the planet from greenhouse gases.
Ratepayers pay the costs on their monthly hydro bills at ever-increasing government-set rates that include massive subsidies to multinational energy companies on the wind bandwagon.
This is heading toward a global scandal.
Governments don’t bother with cost-benefit analyses because most of the costs don’t show on their own books.
The result is much costlier electricity and no net reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
But human costs are massive, including the loss of fundamental rights and freedoms, loss of our right to a good night’s sleep and good health, lost market value of homes, and loss of the right to enjoy non-industrialized rural landscapes.
So citizens are taking this high-priced battle to the courts where they hope our beloved Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms can protect us and our democracy.
— Manning is the Chairman of the County Coalition for Safe and Appropriate Green Energy (CCSAGE), Prince Edward County, Ontario
Original Article Here: http://www.torontosun.com/2013/11/15/the-human-cost-of-the-green-energy-act
Town agrees to reduce operating hours of turbines; Issue far from over as final settlement still must be reached
Credit: By CHRISTOPHER KAZARIAN | Falmouth Enterprise | November 8, 2013 ~~
Falmouth’s wind turbines will return to their 12hour operation following an agreement reached between neighbors and town officials in Barnstable Superior Court yesterday.
The agreement is tied to Neil P. and Elizabeth Andersen’s claim that the town’s wind turbines constitute a nuisance, which was affirmed by the Falmouth Zoning Board of Appeals in May. The town has since contested that appeals board decision in superior court with initial proceedings held in September and an ensuing one held last month.
Prior to yesterday’s hearing, Falmouth selectmen had decided in a 3-2 vote to increase the operation of the turbines from their 7 AM to 7 PM model to one in which the machines would be operating from 5 AM to 9 PM as a way to generate enough revenue to cover the town’s expenses.
But that changed yesterday when Barnstable Superior Court Judge Christopher J. Muse directed both parties to engage in discussions to determine if there was any agreement on a temporary plan of operation of the turbines while the two sides work toward a final settlement.
Town counsel Frank K. Duffy Jr. and selectman Rebecca Moffitt, representing the town, came to an agreement with the Andersens’ attorney, J. Alexander Watt of Barnstable, and Christopher Senie of Westboro, who is representing several neighbors as parties in the case.
As part of the agreement, the town will also direct building commissioner Eladio R. Gore to devise a plan to eliminate the nuisance. The first step in that plan will be to begin acoustic testing in a variety of conditions, with one turbine running and both running at various times.
J. Malcolm Donald of Blacksmith Shop Road, a vocal opponent of the turbines who attended yesterday’s hearing, lauded the temporary agreement. “I think it was earth shattering that the parties finally, after more than three years of disagreement, actually sat down and talked,” he said. “I think it is kind of a stroke of genius of the judge. This is economical judicial action.”
While progress has been made toward a final resolution, Mr. Senie said nothing has truly been settled. “There really isn’t any agreement that has been reached. There’s been a consensus that we should take a look at a possible global settlement of [four] different pieces of litigation. We have a long road to travel to get there,” he said.
Those four lawsuits, he said, include yesterday’s as well as two separate nuisance claims against the town, one brought forward by the Andersens and another by his clients, who live near the wind turbines. The fourth lawsuit is an appeal of Barnstable Superior Court Judge Robert C. Rufo’s decision in June that Mr. Gore did not need a special permit from the appeals board to erect Wind 1, which became operational in March 2010.
In order to reach a final settlement, Mr. Duffy wrote in an email this morning that the neighbors will have to submit a list of proposed actions to the town that they believe will end all outstanding zoning and nuisance claims. That list will be discussed by selectmen once Town Meeting concludes next week.
Both parties will report on the status of negotiations to Judge Muse by Thursday, November 21.
“We are still at the very beginning stages,” Mr. Senie said. “Judge Muse did a great job to begin to shape a global settlement,” he said. “The town agreed to go back to the 12hour operational period from 7 AM to 7 PM and we appreciate that very much as an interim measure. We’re glad to have that while we have real discussions about a final and formal settlement.”
Whether an agreement can be reached, he was unsure, although he was pleased to see the direction negotiations are heading in. “I think we arrived at a new moment yesterday,” he said. “It is positive and constructive. I don’t know if it will prevail. We have an awful lot of people who have to agree on an awful lot of items. I’m not sure what will happen, but everyone is sincere about this.”
NIMBY Information Evening – West Lincoln Glanbrook Wind Action Group
West Lincoln Glanbrook Wind Action Group
NIMBY Hosting an Information Evening
Thursday 7th November 2013
Covenant Christian School Gym 6470 Regional Road 14, ( Town Line ) Smithville.
Doors Open 6:30 pm. Presentation 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Fund Raising Raffle – Silent Auction offering Great Prizes
(cash only please)
Discover why these topics do so effect you !
●Proposed 77 Turbine project by Niagara Regional Wind Corp.
●Routing of Electricity Transmission Lines in your vicinity.
●Caistor Centre current installation of 5 Turbines by IPC.
●The Cost of Wind Energy and Your ‘Skyrocketing’ Electricity Bills.
●The Environment and Your Family’s Health.
●The Injustice of The Green Energy Act.
Get the information you need – Help us to support your case
All residents of WEST LINCOLN, GRIMSBY & LINCOLN are Encouraged to Attend
Make this a Standing Room Only Event – Bring your neighbour too
wlwag.com *** S-T-O-P.ca **** mothersagainstturbines.com
SHARE, SHARE, SHARE, SHARE, SHARE, SHARE, SHARE, SHARE
Wynne, We Have Spoken and are NOT Willing Hosts!! 402 Protest Rally!
As far as the eye could see…..over 30 kilometres of Tractors, Vans, Cars, Trailers and Pickups shutdown highway 402 delivering a message to Kathleen Wynne and her Turbines! It was raining and chilly….but that didn’t stop the Protestors who decked out their cars with messages including “Children Suffering” and “Ontario is a Dictatorship”.
People united from as far as the Niagara Region to Kindardine in a show of solidarity in the fight against this corrupt liberal government. Police were out in full force to ensure the protestors stayed in line. The procession took off right at 10am as planned and shut the highway down for over 3 hours! The Mothers Against Wind Turbines attended the rally in convoy, with Eagles, Bats and Turbines all decorating the vehicles.
At the end of the line, speakers came out and talked in the rain to the crowd of anti-wind warriors. Speakers included Esther Wrightman, MPP Lisa Thompson, MPP Lisa McLeod and Local Mayors; all of which focused on the truths of democracy, soaring energy poverty and human rights issues in Ontario. The only Liberal in attendance was some “lackey” who was of no significant importance. Talks concluded with a rendition of “Blowing in the wind” which the crowd all sang together.
Will Wynne listen, or will our message blow with the wind? Only time will tell….
Wrightman shuts down ERT hearing: London Ontario CTV clips
I see some Mothers in the protestor background! Esther’s battle is a battle for all Ontarians…it is a shame on Democracy when you are fighting your own government for a voice….
A Human Species Habitat Witness Statement – Ben Lansink & Michael McCann
This is a Witness Statement done by professional real estate appraisers, who are experts in the human habitat of real estate. Effects of Turbines on those habitats are discussed.
Ben Lansink on “What happened in Melanchton”
Here is a video excerpt from the October 3 information meeting in Selkirk. The presenter is Canadian Real Estate appraiser, Ben Lansink, who also performed a study on Property Value Reductions in the Melanchton community.
Niagara open for green business: Zimmerman
Niagara open for green business: Zimmerman
Regional councillor bringing motion to declare Niagara a willing host
Grimsby Lincoln News – October 4, 2013
Debbie Zimmerman wants to make one thing clear: Niagara Region is a willing host.
The Grimsby regional councilor plans to introduce a motion to declare Niagara Region a willing host to renewable energy just one week after council failed to get a two-thirds majority vote to reconsider its support of West Lincoln and Wainfleet’s declarations as unwilling hosts. Regional council voted to support the two municipalities in July with a 15-8 vote. At the time, Zimmerman expressed concerns about possible legal and financial ramifications, suggesting council seek a legal opinion before voting.
“Wainfleet and West Lincoln have said they are not willing hosts to wind energy, point blank,” said Zimmerman. “That’s not what the rest of the Region has said.”
Zimmerman said the July motion cast some misconceptions — including the notion the region has declared itself an unwilling host.
“There is a misconception that the whole region is not in support of renewable energy,” Zimmerman sad. “And that’s just not true.”
Zimmerman looked down the road to Niagara Falls to prove that point.
“Niagara Falls is one of the largest renewable energy sources in Canada,” said Zimmerman, noting municipalities like Thorold, Welland and Fort Erie have embraced renewable energy as new industry. She said the declaration as a willing host is in line with the Green Energy Capital of Canada proclamation Regional council made in 2012.
“The Region may have supported Wainfleet and West Lincoln, now we are asking them to support the rest of the region,” Zimmerman said.
West Lincoln Mayor Douglas Joyner said little about the Sept. 19 Regional council meeting at last week’s township council meeting other than to thank the residents of West Lincoln for their continued support, after briefly updated council on what unfurled in regional chambers. He declined to comment when contacted by The News until Zimmerman introduces her motion — expected sometime this week for debate at the Oct. 10 council meeting.
While Coun. Sue Ellen Merritt was happy to see the region’s support for West Lincoln and Wainfleet stand, she was less than happy to learn of Zimmerman’s plans.
“Let’s be good neigbhours,” said Merritt, “and give them ours if they’re willing hosts.”
Wainfleet mayor April Jeffs says its time for the Region to drop the “unwillingness to host turbines” debate.
“We spent three hours listening to presentations and debating, and it didn’t change anything,” Jeffs said.
The Wainfleet mayor said Zimmerman’s motion is just a way around the reconsideration rules. Since last Thursday’s attempt failed, Jeffs said regional council would have to wait a year before it could reconsider the motion again.
But Zimmerman argued the new motion is not reconsideration, and is instead a new motion entirely.
“At the end of the day it’s another reconsideration motion,” Jeffs said. “I think it’s a back door way to override what they gave us.”
Jeffs said three other regional councils have already passed similar motions to support lower tier municipalities’ declaration as being an unwilling host of turbines. Those regions include Perth, Wellington and Grey counties.
“As far as I know they didn’t have these issues,” she said, adding all the infighting isn’t helping anyone on any front.
To date, 67 local municipalities have declared themselves unwilling hosts for turbines.
Grimsby’s regional councilor takes no issue with the declarations West Lincoln and Wainfleet have made for themselves.
“That’s fine, you can do that,” said Zimmerman. “But the rest of the Region may have a different view.”
This is why Niagara needs to declare itself, as a whole, a willing host to renewable energy. Especially since down the road in Niagara Falls is one of the largest renewable energy sources in the country — the falls itself.
“How can we declare ourselves as the green energy capital and not support renewable energy?” Zimmerman said.
Actual wind farms aren’t the only renewable projects to have economic impacts in the region. Through Niagara Region Wind Corp., which has an application before the province for a 230-megawatt wind farm in West Lincoln, German turbine manufacturer has set up a manufacturing facility in Beamsville with plans for a second Niagara manufacturing facility. TSP Canada Towers has set up shop in the former Dana auto parts manufacturing facility in Thorold — a city which has made investing in green energy a top priority. A number of solar companies have also popped up since the province legislated the Green Energy Act in 2009.
Mothers Against Wind Turbines Inc. 