Takeover target Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. (TSX:KHD) says its net income plummeted 99 per cent during the second quarter due to higher expenses at two Ontario wind farms. Net income for the three months ended June 30 was $23,000, or zero cents per share, down from $2.88 million, or two cents per share, booked in the same 2008 quarter, the Calgary-based company said Friday. The lower earnings were due in part to an increased interest expense at Canadian Hydro's Melancthon II wind farm northwest of Toronto.

A Toronto-based company's financial problems won't blow over its plans to erect a wind turbine farm in Prince Edward County, a spokesperson for SkyPower says. The company, Canada's leading developer of renewable energy projects, announced Thursday it filed for restructuring under the terms of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.

SkyPower Corp, a Canadian developer of renewable energy projects owned by bankrupt Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc (LEHMQ.PK), said on Wednesday that it has filed for court protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. SkyPower said it was seeking to quickly sell its assets through a court-approved process and that several potential bidders have expressed interest in a deal.

An information meeting on proposed wind farms in Formosa and Paisley has eased the concerns of some local councillors about their impact on Brockton. But officials are still unsure about the future of the industry and its impact on the social and economic aspects of rural life, as well as the health of nearby residents.

A large group turned out for the heated debate over wind turbines being proposed in Adelaide-Metcalfe. The project which is moving towards construction is now attracting the attention of residents who say they knew nothing about it.

A proposal to build wind turbines in Arran-Elderslie, Georgian Bluffs and Chatsworth drew criticism from the public and members of Arran-Elderslie council. "I think these things are a joke . . . I don't want them. I think Arran-Elderslie can remain special by not having them. I think they are going to (visually) pollute the countryside" Coun. Mark Davis said after a presentation by representatives of NextEra Energy to council yesterday.

Ingo Stuckmann is a director with Energy Farming Ontario, which is in the early stages of determining if a wind farm with 10 turbines could be built. About 85 people attended the open house at Millbrook's Royal Canadian Legion. Stuckmann said the project is still years away from becoming a reality and there are many studies needed, including one for the Ministry of Environment, as well as finding financial support and farmers to lease their land.

New York Power Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Kessel met recently with the Press-Republican Editorial Board to outline his agency's plan to "do the biggest energy project in the state since the St. Lawrence/Robert Moses power project 50 year ago." The authority would import up to 2,000 megawatts of power from multiple sources, including hydropower from Canada and renewable resources both here and in Canada.

The wind turbine controversy in Huron East blew over to West Perth Thursday night at a public meeting on proposed turbine development in Logan ward. More than 100 people packed the Brodhagen Community Hall to hear representatives from Renewable Energy Systems Americas (RES) introduce their company and their proposal for a wind farm between Perth Lines 55 and 44.

Plans to build a wind farm in the rural area near Trochu and Huxley face objections from residents who are worried about effects on their health. Ontario-based FPLE Canadian Wind, a subsidiary of Florida-based FPL Energy, is in the early stages of planning the Ghost Pine Windfarm. It would include 54 wind turbines generating 81 megawatts.

About five company representatives circulated through the dense crowd at an open house Wednesday in a Grafton church hall. They were bombarded with questions related to information sheets on the walls extolling the virtues of wind power, together with a small map of the area being considered for five to 10 towers, according to one sign. A newspaper advertisement, however, said up to 20 were being considered.

Upwards of 50 curious property owners from Zorra Township attended an information session at the Pyramid Centre Monday to learn about a proposed wind farm that could see up to 15 turbines erected in the northwest end of the municipality. The exact location of where the wind turbines would be built is yet to be determined, though the two companies heading the proposal for Stonetown Wind Farm are studying the area south of Highway 7 and north of Road 96 between Cobble Hills Road and Line 23.

The possibility of installing up to 20 wind turbines on agriculture land in Alnwick/Haldimand is the subject of a public open house in Grafton tomorrow evening. The study area lies west of Eddystone between County Road 22 in the north and Telephone Road in the south. The project name is Clean Breeze Wind Park.

"You're not going to have wind turbines in downtown Ottawa."Ottawa city council has approved a motion that asks the province to study the health effect of wind turbines. However, a motion asking for a 18-month moratorium was defeated. This all stems from Prowind Canada wanting to build eight to 10 wind turbines in the North Gower area.

A Charlottetown-based wind turbine maker that stopped paying its employees two months ago will be in receivership by the end of the week. But all hope may not be lost for Entegrity Wind Systems. The provincial government plans to offer some financial assistance to the company.

Bruce County's warden wants municipalities to be higher on the list when it comes to consultation about wind farms. Bill Goetz said his municipality of South Bruce hasn't been approached about plans for a six-turbine wind farm near Formosa. Wind farms have been contentious in other areas ...Goetz wants consultation to avoid similar problems in new developments.

A wind turbine manufacturer with sales offices in Boulder has been ordered to pay its former Canadian employees the back wages they're owed, according to Prince Edward Island's labor department. Entegrity Wind Systems, which operates two manufacturing plants in Canada, laid off 35 employees in June, the majority of its workers.

A wind turbine maker based in Charlottetown is under investigation by P.E.I.'s Labour Relations Board after employees complained they were owed up to eight weeks of back pay. Entegrity Wind Systems sent most of their workers home late last month after running into financial trouble. But most of their 50 workers haven't been paid since mid-May.

Residents at the first open house for a proposal to put wind turbines in Lake Erie left with more questions than answers Wednesday night. "You have no hard facts on your boards," said Patty Janisse, a Kingsville lakefront resident, after seeing a series of posters. A steady stream of people came to the Leamington Lebanese Club Wednesday night for an open house hosted by SouthPoint Wind.

A wind turbine maker in Charlottetown is under investigation by P.E.I.'s Labour Relations Board after employees complained they're owed up to eight weeks of back pay. Entegrity Wind Systems sent most of their workers home late last month after running into financial trouble.