Despite Premier Dalton McGuinty declaring the province will not tolerate any NIMBY (not in my backyard) hot air when dealing with the blocking of green energy projects, some Simcoe County politicians are preparing to block a wind-turbine farm in North Simcoe.

On Tuesday afternoon, McGuinty told the London Chamber of Commerce new legislation will stop special-interest groups or municipal governments from blocking wind turbines, solar panels or biofuel plants on any grounds other than safety or environmental concerns.

On Wednesday morning, Tiny Township Deputy Mayor George Lawrence appealed to the county's Corporate Services Committee for aid in stopping a six-turbine farm on Conc. 19 of Tiny, including possibly two turbines within the Cedar Point Tract of county forests, north of Lafontaine, not far from the peninsular coastline.

According to the county staff report, four acres would have to be cleared for each turbine, each providing 1.5 to 3 megaWatts; although each 80 to 90-metre high windmill, with a rotor diameter of 80 to 100 metres, has a small footprint on the ground, the area must be cleared to facilitate access and construction.

Wide roads would meander through the forest tract to the turbines, Tiny's mayor noted, and 50 to 55 cement-truckloads of cement will be poured per turbine, which will reduce the ability of the area to filter water.

"These impacts will be unacceptable on a sloped site in one of the county's finest forests," said Lawrence.

"There would be a negative impact on recreation and wildlife habitat ... This would be an environmental and health issue. However for Simcoe County and Tiny Township, it's a dollars and cents issue. This is Millionaire's Row, Thunder Beach and Cedar Ridge. Lawrence estimated the county receives $743,000 in taxes from that area - and a 10-per-cent decline rings in at $74,300 less each year; that could be further exacerbated by reduced values in a proposed 24-home gated community. The impact could be more than a 10-per-cent reduction, he added, possibly 30 per cent, ringing in at more than $223,000 less each year.

Lawrence added power generated from the turbines would be sent along high-voltage wires through Tiny, Midland and along Highway 12 to a transformer station near Waubaushene, which adds visual pollution in what's now a prime tourist area.

Oro-Medonte Township Deputy Mayor Ralph Hough, however, said that Ontarians are not satisfied with coal-generated or nuclear-generated power and green alternatives need to be studied.

"Do they want a turbine or another coal-powered plant?" he said.

But Clearview Township Mayor Ken Ferguson said the county needs to help Tiny Township fight the wind farm.

"Tiny cannot fight this alone. Clearview cannot fight this alone. We need a stand from the county," he said.