Astroturf Pro Industrial Wind Turbine Petition: An Alternative
Administrator | Mar 15, 2012 | Comments 0
Environmental Defence, a pro Industrial Wind Turbine ENGO and astroturf organization for government and corporate interests in this regard, has created an online letter petition to support their bottom line. They are desperately trying to maintain their deceitful pro IWT development campaign in the face of rapidly growing opposition. Following is their version of the letter and below that is mine. I urge you to go to the accompanying petition link, erase the letter they offer and copy my version or one of your own in its place.
Their version:
“I am writing to ask you to strongly reject calls for a moratorium on windmills in Ontario.
Ontario’s shift towards developing its renewable resources has been a massively important step in ensuring Ontario can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Wind is vital to the economic future of the province as it creates new jobs, improves our energy security and creates new income opportunities for rural communities.
By exploiting the fear of the unknown, a small number of vocal anti-wind groups are using false arguments to scare people into opposing new wind projects. They would have you believe that windmills are somehow a new and untested technology, an absurd claim that couldn’t be further from the truth. The fact remains that wind power has been around in its current form for 30 years in Europe and elsewhere. Wind has a thoroughly proven track record delivering clean, reliable and safe electricity.
Windmills already generate more than 20% of the electricity used in leading countries such as Denmark, Germany, and Spain.
The physical, social, economic, health and environmental impacts of wind are already well understood. Numerous independent studies have been conducted and have all come to the same conclusion. There is no evidence of adverse health effects from windmills. However, it seems no amount of further study will appease those who refuse to accept peer-reviewed evidence.
It is also important to point out that concerns about rural consultation and participation in projects are already being addressed through the ongoing FIT program review which is seeking more ways to involve communities through ownership and inclusion in decision making.
Renewable energy is already putting Ontario on track for a bright economic and environmental future. Now is not the time to take Ontario backward.
Sincerely,
My version:
I am writing to ask you to strongly reject the call by Environmental Defence to supercede the cautionary principle in respect to a moratorium on Industrial Wind Turbine developments in Ontario.
Ontario’s shift towards developing its renewable resources has been a massive economic and ecological disaster and has done nothing to ensure Ontario can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Wind is detrimental to the economic future of the province as it increases the jobless rate, jeopardizes our energy security and divides and impoverishes rural communities.
By exploiting the fear of the unknown, a small number of favored corporate entities have benefited financially and by using false arguments and financing fascist legislation to scare people into accepting new wind projects. They would have you believe that windmills are somehow a clean green and scientifically validated technology, an absurd claim that couldn’t be further from the truth. The fact is that wind power has been around in its current form for 30 years in Europe and elsewhere and has been kept under the radar for financially exploitative purposes which pro wind benefactors are struggling to maintain. Great deceptive public relations efforts, much of it at tax payers expense has been dedicated to trying to maintain that wind has a thoroughly proven track record delivering clean, reliable and safe electricity.
Windmills are touted to generate more than 20% of the electricity used in leading countries such as Denmark, Germany, and Spain. But this has come at great economic, social and ecological costs.
The physical, social, economic, health and environmental impacts of wind are, thanks to the media and internet access to information, becoming understood. Only a very few independent studies have addressed the issues associated with Industrial Wind Turbines. There is emerging evidence of adverse health effects. However, it seems further comprehensive and unbiased scientific study is perceived as a great threat to the industry. If this were not the case, what would they have to fear by exercising the “cautionary principle”.
It is also important to point out that concerns about rural consultation and participation in projects are not honestly being addressed through the ongoing FIT program review. While attempting to appear as mechanisms for democracy, there is no real inclusion for the public in decision making since the decisions are arbitrary and not based on democratic protocols. Thus, appeal mechanisms are disingenuous and fraudulent.
Renewable energy has already put Ontario on track for an economic disaster and, a bleak economic and environmental future. Now is not the time to take Ontario backward.
Sincerely,
-David Norman
Filed Under: Letters and Opinion
