Rally will protest wind project and Green Energy Act
Administrator | Oct 08, 2017 | Comments 2
Rendering of how turbines six and four would look in Milford.
Prince Edward County residents will rally to voice opposition to the wpd White Pines Wind Project’s nine 150m (500-foot) industrial wind turbines planned for in and around Milford in South Marysburgh.
Supported by the Prince Edward Field Naturalists, Alliance for the Protection of Prince Edward County and County Coalition for Safe and Appropriate Energy, the Sunday, Oct. 15 rally consists of a march followed by an information session at the Regent Theatre in Picton.
“Our hope is that this rally will motivate the government to cancel this project once and for all,” said Les Stanfield, logistics co-ordinator for the rally. “We want people to be creative in preparing for the rally through floats, banners or placards that personalize their message to wpd and Queen’s Park.”
“The County is an unwilling host to industrial wind turbine projects that disrupt the lives and livelihoods of County residents; that destroy the County’s historic landscapes; and that cause irreparable harm to the County’s wildlife and natural environment,” he added.
Those wanting to participate in the march can gather at the end of Cold Storage Road for departure at 1 p.m. or join the march at any point on the route along Main Street to the Regent Theatre.
At 2 p.m. residents are invited to take part in an information session at the Regent Theatre. County residents, local politicians, business people and experts are to provide impact statements, updates and answer questions about topics including anticipated personal impacts; loss of land owner and municipal rights because of the Green Energy Act; human health effects; destruction of heritage, tourism and endangered species; and other concerns.
“We hope every single person who has expressed their concern about this wind energy project will come out and not only show support for the residents of South Marysburgh, but also to express their strong opposition to the government legislation that allowed it to happen,” said Steve Ferguson, councillor for South Marysburgh, who has already hosted two well-attended Town Hall meetings in the hamlet. “All residents of Prince Edward County need to fully understand the implications of the White Pines project.”
Filed Under: Local News
Do not assume that developer (WPD White Pines Inc.) has all approvals needed. WPD has a history of going ahead without approvals and authorizations. Here’s a short list:
(1) Spring 2016 and 2017, while ERT (Environmental Review Tribunal) hearings were on, WPD cleared vegetation at 17 of the 18 turbines that were later removed by the ERT.
(2) WPD used to have a transmission line, and it had approval from the OEB to construct a transmission line, but as of now the project can only support a distribution line – NOT a transmission line. wpd has applied to Hydro One but this process takes months to complete;
(3) WPD has not submitted amendments to the Renewable Energy Approval to the MOECC (Ministry of Environment and Climate Change) regarding changes to project configuration, apparently hoping to sideline the EBR process and right of members of public to submit comments;
(4) WPD White Pines does not have Notice to Proceed from the IESO which increases its risk of financial loss.
The gov’t still has an opportunity to cancel, and also important to note legal proceedings against WPD in the works.
It is entirely possible that the White Pines wind project can be stopped. And it’s clearly in WPD’s interests to convince members of the public that it can’t be. Don’t be fooled.
Come to the Rally on Sunday, October 15th. Your participation matters!
How would this rally expect to alter the course of this project at this stage. It is approved and underway. Why would the government cancel an important win in a Tory riding?