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Canada
Wind farm stirs up friction between first nations
October 6, 2012 by Renata D'Aliesio in The Globe and Mail
October 6, 2012 by Renata D'Aliesio in The Globe and Mail
The crux of the dispute isn't the size of the turbines or their noise, factors that underlie myriad other wind-farm battles in Ontario. This quarrel centres on territory and which aboriginal group has the right to an economic share of the 60-megawatt project and its guaranteed cash flow under Ontario's green-energy program.
Also filed under [
General]
Wind turbine report points to drop in property values
October 4, 2012 by Elliot Ferguson in Kingston Whig-Standard
October 4, 2012 by Elliot Ferguson in Kingston Whig-Standard
A report by Ben Lansink of London-based Lansink Appraisals and Consulting, shows re-sale values for residential properties in Melancthon and Amaranth townships between 2005 and 2012 dropped an average of 38.8% in the years after a wind turbine facility was announced and built.
Also filed under [
Impact on Economy|
Property Values]
Environmental commissioner blasts Ontario's avian mitigation efforts
October 3, 2012 in North American Windpower
October 3, 2012 in North American Windpower
Miller says there are "significant shortcomings" in Ontario's current siting guidelines that put birds and bats at risk. He notes that approximately 75% of documented bat fatalities at wind turbines in North America are migratory bats, yet the provincial guidelines lack any criteria for identifying and avoiding bat migratory stopover areas during the selection of wind power sites.
Also filed under [
Impact on Wildlife]
Agency has authority to comment on wind farms
October 3, 2012 by Denis Langlois in Owen Sound Sun Times
October 3, 2012 by Denis Langlois in Owen Sound Sun Times
Both Niagara Escarpment Commission manager Ken Whitbread and chairman Don Scott said they cannot see the NEC approving the construction of any industrial wind turbines within the escarpment plan area, which winds through Grey-Bruce and ends at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula.
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General]
Gord Miller’s report said no new wind farms should be constructed in the province’s 70 designated Important Bird Areas (IBA). One of those IBAs is located on the south shore of the County.
Miller said there are two areas in which the government needs to improve guidelines to enhance protection for both birds and bats.
Also filed under [
Impact on Wildlife|
Impact on Birds]
Michipicoten First Nation claims wind farm project on its territory
September 28, 2012 by Michael Purvis in Sault Star
September 28, 2012 by Michael Purvis in Sault Star
"It seems that Batchewana First Nation has made a deal with BluEarth Renewables and Batchewana claims that they consider it their area, which is at least 50 kilometres from their reserve," said Buckell, in a release. "They are ignoring the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850 where the boundaries are clearly stated."
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General]
Bruce County Federation of Agriculture policy speaks out against wind power
September 28, 2012 by Troy Patterson in Kincardine News
September 28, 2012 by Troy Patterson in Kincardine News
The Bruce County Federation of Agriculture's (BCFA) new policy statement on wind energy speaks out against the "adverse affects" wind power is perceived to have on agriculture, from increased energy costs to potential health impacts on people.
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General]
Upset the farm by the Niagara Region Wind Corp. will devalue properties, be noisy and create health problems, they milled around the front door of the Smithville Christian High School where the firm was presenting its new draft site map for 77 turbines in West Lincoln, Haldimand County and Wainfleet.
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General]
Wolfe Island property assessment reductions of over $3 million
September 19, 2012 in Ontario Wind Resistance
September 19, 2012 in Ontario Wind Resistance
I am including the list of property assessment reductions from MPAC since 2008. The list shows 78 significant assessment reductions since 2008 (the wind farm became operational in 2009) totaling $3 million in reductions. The 6 largest reductions are listed below and are situated very close to the turbines.
Also filed under [
Impact on Economy|
Property Values]
South Bruce Peninsula council says no to wind farms
September 19, 2012 by Scott Dunn in Owen Sun Times
September 19, 2012 by Scott Dunn in Owen Sun Times
Vukovic cited possible negative health effects, reduced property values and municipal tax assessment, threats to tourism and possible harm to the Niagara Escarpment's plants, animals and area aquifers if wind farms were to be built here. Members of the public stood and applauded after the vote and a brief recess was called to allow people to leave.
Also filed under [
General]
Graham Andrews, a lawyer in Gillespie's firm, said the lawsuit is being finalized but the group has not yet made the decision to seek an injuction. He said they are seeking damages but declined to say how much. ..."It's due to property devalution of abuting property owners ... that's the basis of the lawsuit."
Also filed under [
Impact on People]
People who live near the school have lodged a fierce campaign against the project and voiced that opposition at a public meeting Thursday night. ...Neighbours say it would be loud, ugly and potentially dangerous.
Also filed under [
General]
West Lincoln residents urged council and the team behind a proposed industrial wind farm to demand the province delay approved turbine projects until results of a Health Canada study are known.
Also filed under [
General]
A big wind farm in Huron County should be put on hold until a federal study into the health effects of turbines is completed, says a farm couple.
Shawn and Tricia Drennan have given the Ontario government 60 days notice that they intend to launch a legal action against the proposed wind farm near their property.
Also filed under [
General]
Ont. couple seeks injunction to stop wind-farm expansion
September 11, 2012 by Dave Seglins in CBC News
September 11, 2012 by Dave Seglins in CBC News
The Environmental Review Board, the province's wind-power regulator, concluded in July 2011 that there is no question turbines can cause ill health. ...The Drennans' lawyer, Julian Falconer, argues the government is basing the regulations on guesswork, without due diligence to ensure people's health is protected.
Also filed under [
General]
Welfare of children at risk due to wind turbines, parents say
September 5, 2012 by Andrew Smith in The Banner
September 5, 2012 by Andrew Smith in The Banner
Parents and community members are speaking out for those who can't, expressing their concern for special needs children living in the shadow of proposed wind turbines.
Also filed under [
General]
When it comes to property rights and values, Lynn Stein said the people who are trying to sell their homes in turbine-designated areas are having extreme difficulties. ...Eric Schenkman said he’s not against renewable energy but he’s concerned South Marysburgh residents are being sold out by the province to multinational corporations.
Also filed under [
General]
Residents ready for legal battle over power lines
August 29, 2012 by Amanda Moore in Niagara This Week
August 29, 2012 by Amanda Moore in Niagara This Week
"Green energy not only has to be green, but it has to respect green space and what is a recognized biosphere," said Thiel. "We're not against the wind farm. We just feel the connection of the wind farm needs to be done in a respectful manner. It doesn't necessarily need to cross the escarpment."
Also filed under [
Impact on Landscape|
Transmission]
They have joined scores of other municipalities that have in various forms called for more control over the timing and location of turbines, one of the key elements in Ontario's Green Energy Act.
Also filed under [
Impact on People]
A group of Prince Edward Island landowners near a proposed wind farm say the province is pushing the plan through despite opposition from people in the area.
Also filed under [
General]
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