Green leader slams energy act

The Liberal government's Green Energy Act and its "top-down" approval regulations for wind farms has been a "horrendous failure," says the leader of the Green Party of Ontario.

Mike Schreiner, who took over the provincial party's top job in November, said he supports a community-based approach to wind turbine projects, in which residents are consulted and reap the financial benefits of the alternative energy producers, even if the turbines are on an adjacent property.

"When you bring in something that generates energy, it affects everybody within a community - within the surrounding vicinity - and everyone should benefit from the financial revenue generated from the power source. That's not happening in Ontario right now," Schreiner said.

He made his comments in an interview before speaking at the Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound provincial Green Party association's annual general meeting at the Owen Sound Farmers' Market Monday night.

Schreiner said claims of ill health caused by wind turbines should be studied more. Assessing the health impacts of wind farms should be a "top priority," he said.

"I will say that if you look at jurisdictions around the world where the benefits of the power generation are widely dispersed to members of the community, you see less concerns being expressed around health and aesthetics and property values," he said.

"So obviously, we need to address those health concerns, but I also think there are certain concerns that are mitigated by making sure everyone benefits from what is happening."

Wind turbine farms are a bone of contention in Grey-Bruce and southwestern Ontario, with opposition growing since the province approved its Green Energy Act last year. Opposition groups are continuing to organize in many Ontario communities, including Meaford, which recently created a new arm of Wind Concerns Ontario.

Wind farm opponents have organized meetings across Grey and Bruce counties to discuss the health effects of turbines, which they say cause sleep deprivation, headaches, ringing in the ears, nervousness and other symptoms.

Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Progressive Conservative MPP Bill Murdoch presented a motion at Queen's Park last year for a moratorium on wind turbine projects until the health effects are studied further. It did not pass.

Wind farm companies and the provincial government say there is no link between turbines and ill health.

The Liberal government's Green Energy Act was created to streamline the approval process for wind farms. Municipalities can no longer reject turbine projects or establish setbacks.

More than 700 wind turbines are operating in Ontario. More projects are planned.

Schreiner, who plans to run in the next provincial election, said he supports wind-to-energy projects but believes the approval process is flawed and needs to be revamped.

He said it is not too late.

"But that could start changing fast," he said. "That's why it's important to elect the first Green MPP to the Ontario legislature to ask the hard questions to the government."