He suggested farmers ask for three per cent of turbine profits for the first eight years of the agreement and then, once the turbine is paid for, the farmers should get eight per cent of the profits. He cited a figure that says a two megawatt turbine generates $500,000 per year, so farmers could get up to $15,000 each year. A widely-accepted estimation for a lease is $5,000 per turbine, per year.
He suggested farmers ask for three per cent of turbine profits for the first eight years of the agreement and then, once the turbine is paid for, the farmers should get eight per cent of the profits. He cited a figure that says a two megawatt turbine generates $500,000 per year, so farmers could get up to $15,000 each year. A widely-accepted estimation for a lease is $5,000 per turbine, per year.
The Bruce County Federation of Agriculture supports wind energy, it just wants to make sure farmers get the best deal possible.
That was the message of BCFA President Robert Emerson, before the federation’s information meeting kicked off last Wednesday night in Underwood. The meeting is in regards to Enbridge’s proposed 121-turbine wind farm, slated for Bruce Township and southern Saugeen Shores.
Four speakers presented during the three-hour meeting and then fielded questions from the audience of over 100.
The first to speak was Chuck Edey, the president of the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA). He told the audience he was not there on behalf of Enbridge, which he has dealings with, but he was representing CanWEA and …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]The Bruce County Federation of Agriculture supports wind energy, it just wants to make sure farmers get the best deal possible.
That was the message of BCFA President Robert Emerson, before the federation’s information meeting kicked off last Wednesday night in Underwood. The meeting is in regards to Enbridge’s proposed 121-turbine wind farm, slated for Bruce Township and southern Saugeen Shores.
Four speakers presented during the three-hour meeting and then fielded questions from the audience of over 100.
The first to speak was Chuck Edey, the president of the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA). He told the audience he was not there on behalf of Enbridge, which he has dealings with, but he was representing CanWEA and himself.
Edey addressed many of the concerns the Ontario Federation of Agriculture has about lease agreements between wind turbine developers and participating landowners. He urged people to seek legal advice and to have the developer pay for it. He said to put appearance clauses into the contract to avoid things like advertising on turbines, although that has yet to happen.
He said companies will spend the money on reclamation projects because it not only makes environmental sense, but it makes business sense. He said building these sorts of guidelines into lease agreements is understandable, as well.
Edey said the best way to approach lease agreements is to make a fair deal.
“I see it as a win-win for both sides. If it’s good for the developer and bad for the farmer, he won’t sign the lease. If it’s good for the farmer and bad for the developer, he won’t build. Both parties need to be in agreement,” Edey said.
Edey went on to address ‘myths’ of the wind energy industry. About setbacks -- one of the major issues to local residents -- he said 200 to 300 metres is an adequate distance to avoid noise pollution and he said he would feel safe living at the base of a wind turbine.
“There’s a permit for a Hydro tower 23-metres from a house (in Bruce Township) and nobody is worried about it,” Edey said.
He said other myths include the fact wind turbines spoil the landscape, kill birds, tourists hate them and that they’re noisy.
OFA Researcher Ted Cowan was next to the microphone and he focused on how farmers can make sure they get the best deal possible.
“We need to take advantage of wind power without being taken advantage of,” Cowan said.
He said he has never seen a lease agreement that he would sign and he believes that farmers could be getting a better deal.
He suggested farmers ask for three per cent of turbine profits for the first eight years of the agreement and then, once the turbine is paid for, the farmers should get eight per cent of the profits. He cited a figure that says a two megawatt turbine generates $500,000 per year, so farmers could get up to $15,000 each year. A widely-accepted estimation for a lease is $5,000 per turbine, per year.
He said communities should organize themselves and get a lawyer -- funded by the developer -- so everybody can get the same deal. He also said to make clauses for transfer agreements, appearances, option termination, rights of refusal and a fixed rate after the initial 20-year contract with the provincial government expires.
“The OFA wants more power and farmers want to provide it. Farmers feed cities and soon farmers are going to fuel cities.
“We just need to keep our options open to take advantage of that massive cash flow.”
Saugeen Shores resident Bill Palmer then spoke about the pros and cons of wind energy and mostly reiterated what he said at a recent Municipality of Kincardine planning committee meeting. His main issues concerns turbine safety and setbacks.
County Planner David Smith then spoke on the county’s role in dealing with the Enbridge application and how the county has concerns and is working with the developer to correct those.
Enbridge did not send a representative to the meeting. Debbie Boukydis, manager of public and government affairs for Eastern Canada, told The News the company didn’t feel it could speak about lease agreements due to confidentiality clauses and felt Edey, on behalf of CanWEA, could properly represent the wind energy sector at the meeting.