September 20th Update – Community, Solar, Oak Ridges Moraine and Local Wind News
Hello All:
On Community
It’s hard not to notice in rural Ontario a distinct change in the sound level throughout the rural landscape… our bird neighbours are packing up and are one by one and in flocks starting to head south… this lecture promises to be a fascinating look into where birds travel.
Friday, September 27, 2013 at 7:30 p.m., Cobourg Public Library, 200 Ontario Street
Speaker: Pamela Stagg. Topic: Techno-birding – How technology is expanding our knowledge of birds, particularly in migration. The presentation will cover the fascinating discoveries made possible by technology like radio and satellite trackers, NexRad radar, banding networks and even radio-isotope analysis of feathers to find out where birds were when they moulted. Ours has been called the golden age of bird tracking and the technology is revolutionizing our knowledge of birds and their migration. Join Pamela as she follows the amazing journeys of the northern wheatears, the surprising behaviour of black-throated blue warblers, the travels of east-coast osprey and even our much-loved northern saw-whet owls.
Celebrate Local Food
At the Purple Onion Festival In Millennium Park
On Sunday, September 22, 2013
From 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
More info in this link: http://thepurpleonion.org/
GRCA Invites You to Learn More About Trees
Ever wondered which tree species are a good fit for your property? Have you considered the effects of healthy trees and your everyday health? Do you know the difference between hardwood and softwood?
Join Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority staff in recognition of National Forest Week on a guided tree identification hike through the Ganaraska Forest. Learn which species grow in our area and which ones are right for your own property. This educational event takes place at the Ganarska Forest Centre onSeptember 29th 2013 from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm.
Pre-registration and payment are required for this limited space event by calling905.885.8173. The fee for the afternoon is $12.00 per adult and $6.00 per child – we kindly ask that all children be 8 years and older to participate. Participants will also receive 200 bonus points towards their Healthy Hikes goal.
What is Healthy Hikes? It is an Ontario-wide campaign encouraging Ontarians to visit Conservation Areas to boost their physical and mental health while at the same time learning about connections between healthy people and healthy ecosystems. Participants simply register for the challenge and log their time spent hiking or walking in a Conservation Area. Visit www.healthyhikes.ca for further information and to start the challenge today!
What is National Forest Week? Established circa 1920 as Forest Fire Prevention Week, the intention was to encourage greater public awareness towards Canada’s forests. At the time, there was no apparent shortage of trees for industrial expansion – the greatest threat came from forest fires, due mainly to human causes. Since then National Forest Week, as it was renamed in 1967, has evolved to encompass the many and varied human and environmental aspects of Canada’s forest resources – past, present and future. http://www.grca.on.ca/news/
On Solar & the ERT & The Oak Ridges Moraine
Although a mediated agreement had been reached with the appellant Jacquie Visconti and Canadian Solar, the Chair of the Environmental Review Tribunal compelled, over objections by counsel for the developer and the MOE, the MOE lawyers and all counsel for the developer plus the lead consultant on the Illumination solar project to attend another session in Port Perry last Friday September 13th. In an odd move, the lead consultant for the company was made to answer all the points of issue that presenters Jane Zednik and Cindy Sutch had raised in their presentations. Then, in even in a more unusual move, the presenters were allowed to question the lead consultant. The Chair acknowledged that there are outstanding issues but also noted the wish of the appellant Jacquie Visconti to withdraw the appeal and conclude the Minutes of Settlement (only lack of funding was standing in the way of going forward to a full hearing). The Chair, under Rule 201, has only two options – to accept the mediated agreement under the Minutes of Settlement in its entirety or to refuse the settlement and then proceed to a full hearing. ERT Chair Robert Wright expressed his hopes that unresolved issues will be successfully dealt with by the liaison committee that is to be established. He praised the submissions of the presenters. The case was then dismissed.
Even though it was heart-breaking to come to this conclusion, many thanks go to Jacquie Visconti. If this brave woman had not appealed this project in the first place, the submissions of the presenters that contain many points of issue would not have become part of the public record. The testimony and presentations submitted will stand as testimony to the approval of the first industrial power plant on the Oak Ridges Moraine. A formal summary of the proceedings will be assembled by the Chair Mr. Wright and will be available to the public at a later date.
On Wind
FIRST…. A big SHOUT OUT to long-time www.socm.ca wind blogger BH who has apparently given up this green and pleasant land for Scarberia. Despite the move, the blog will continue. Urbanites are sure to also get an education!…. Many thanks for the many years of posting and the generous offer to keep at it !!!!
“Soon we “celebrate” the 20,000th wind plant, without replacing even one single small plant of conventional energy. “Ferdinand Fürst zu Hohenlohe-Bartenstein (Chairman of Germany’s Federal Association for Landscape Protection)
Turbines ….climate change response hasn’t really been about “saving the environment,” no matter how ardently that sentiment is expressed in press releases and annual reports: it’s about maintaining, as long as possible, the unsustainable way of life that created the problem in the first place.” —Steven Gorelick, Vt., “Renegotiating the Future
‘Case in point, on August 29th, according to the Sygration website, Ontario had 15 straight hours where wind energy never produced above 60 MW. Ontario was getting more electricity burning wood waste during those hours than wind. At 2:00 that same afternoon, wind production fell to 8MW out of a theoretical capacity of 1600 MW, meanwhile demand was 21843MW. Wind energy was supplying only .03% of Ontario’s demand at that time, an epic failure to be sure. But even if Ontario had 800,000 wind turbines with a theoretical capacity of 600 000 MW, wind energy would have still only produced 8000 MW, falling far short of the demand of 21843MW at that time on August 29th.”
Carol Schweiger spoke about the shadow flickers on her property and inside her home that come from the turbines, as well as the constant “jet engine” noise when the turbines are moving, which reduces the value of the property. She also provided information about the adverse health conditions that people living around wind turbines suffer from.
Schweiger pointed out many of the lessees that receive lease payments don’t live near where turbines in phase I were installed or where the new turbines will be located.
Another homeowner, Sherry Salvador, agreed about the noise saying it’s “like several train engines running” when the wind is high. She said her family has thought about selling the property because of the wind turbines.
“You guys force this stuff down our throats,” she said. “We’re not the landowners and we have to look at it.” – Logan County, Colorado – comments made to planning committee –March 22, 2013
On Monday, a representative for the Winslows, one of the landowners who signed a lease for the Stoneboat project conference was met by a large crowd in the parking lot of the Cavan Monaghan municipal office. People came from the area and beyond. Noted long-time wind warrior from Shelburne – Lorrie Gillis – made the long drive in to attend. After giving a short speech… it was announced that the Winslows have pulled out of the Stoneboat project. This decision, it appears, came about as the result of respectful and informative dialogue with members of the community.
Quote from the speech: “ During this time we have listened to the impassioned pleas of our neighbours who are truly concerned about the health issues related to wind turbines and who fear an ongoing reduction in their property values. We are truly sorry that our actions have caused such fear and stress within the neighbourhood. In light of these concerns, and as an active past, present and future member of this community, we as a family have decided that we will not be erecting a wind turbine on our property at this time. We have subsequently withdrawn our commitment to MKI and Associates.”
While this decision was met with cheers, and for some tears of joy as well as many hugs and handshakes, this decision does not mean the end of the Stoneboat project. MKI only needs 4 turbines to meet their contractual requirement under the FIT program. It is also possible that the Winslow turbine will now be re-located onto the lands of the other two participating landowners, Paul Ruth and David McCaskill. It is also possible that fewer but larger model REpower turbines might be used.. there is a 3 MW model available.. the original turbine order back in 2011 might be changed … http://www.repower.de/en/
Guaranteed, Mr. Ince is not going to give up this wind project easily.
This welcome decision by the Winslows was reported around the worldand was also posted on the witty Australian website – Stop These Things:http://stopthesethings.com/
The Winslow cancellation was also the topic on CBC Radio Ontario Morning this morning as part of Jack Roe’s Peterborough Report.
As indicated in the press release, anyone wishing to communicate with the Winslows, perhaps send a note of thanks – this can be done through:woodleighfarms@gmail.com
Interesting to note, that right after the Winslow announcement, shares in Wind Works took a downward tumble. Wind Works secured the FIT contract for the Whispering Woods project (Millbrook) back in 2010 that was put forward by Energy Farming Ontario with MKI conducting all the environmental and noise assessments. Now Whispering Woods LP under majority owner Martin Ince of MKI is proposing the ‘new’ Stoneboat project and all the noise and natural heritage assessments will be conducted by none other than MKI. .. confused yet?
Stock nosedive right after the Winslow announcement
Winslow family says no to wind turbines
Concerned community members swayed the Winslow family to back out of their plans to erect a wind turbine on their farm on Sharpe Line
Gratitude
Todd Vandonk/This Week
Don Winslow is thanked by an emotional Cavan Millbrook Township resident after his family announced that it withdrew its commitment to MKI and Associates to build a wind turbine on their property.
Peterborough This Week
PETERBOROUGH — The Winslow family has had a change of heart and won’t be erecting a wind turbine on their family farm at this time.
Nearly 50 people broke out in a cheer, and some in tears, when son-in-law Norm Lamothe announced Monday (Sept. 16) at a press conference that his family had withdrawn its commitment to M.K. Ince and Associates Ltd. Mr. Lamothe says the change of heart comes after listening to the community’s concerns,
“They were deeply concerned from a health prospective and the health effects it may have on their families,” he said.
“It certainly touched us and we decided at that point that it was not going to happen.”
“They were deeply concerned from a health prospective and the health effects it may have on their families.”
M.K. Ince and Associates Ltd., owned by Martin Ince, plans to build five industrial-size turbines in Cavan Monaghan Township. The wind farm would overlook the Devil Elbow skill area and also straddle the City of Kawartha Lakes border.
“We’re very relieved,” explains David Frank, chair of Cavan Says No group.
“Locally, this is major blow to the developer here but it is not over yet and people have to be aware of that.”
While Mr. Ince is hopeful residents in the area will get onboard with his plans, there’s strong opposition from a group of residents and the Township, citing health issues and impacts to property values among their top concerns,
“The relief on their faces was worth my drive to come here today,” says Debbie Lynch who travelled from Norwood to support the local protesters.
“I really give the Winslow family credit for taking the time to do further research and to take the opinion of their community and neighbours to heart.”
Mr. Lamothe says his family can’t speak to the status of other land owners committed to the project, nor the viability moving forward, but submitted a formal request to council to initiate a discussion as to what they would promote as a meaningful and sustainable way for the municipality to enter the era of green energy.
“We urge you to consider available options and clearly define the parameters for these projects for those who would like to participate,” he explains.
“Rather than tearing the community apart over sustainable green energy, let’s work at building it together.”
tvandonk@mykawartha.com http://www.mykawartha.com/
CHEX TV video coverage…http://www.chextv.com/News/LN/
Peterborough Examiner coverage of the Winslow announcement with some interesting comments..
http://www.
At the Monday council meeting, David Frank of CavanSaysNO requested funds for education and information purposes with regard to the Stoneboat project. Cavan Monaghan council agreed to provide $5000.00.
If one wishes to learn more about the newly formed concerned citizens group CavanSaysNo working to stop the Stoneboat industrial project … visit their website… well worth asking to be put on their mailing list:
This group is also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Questions…. or offers of assistance.. or to be placed on the mailing list, please contact:cavansaysnoturbines@gmail.com
Other council news… Cavan Monaghan Councillor Jim Chaplin put forward the following motion in response to the Cham Shan letter of concern about all industrial wind projects in the area received at the previous council meeting– a motion which was adopted by council:
WHEREAS The Buddhist Association of Canada Cham Shan Temple purchased a large parcel of land in the Cavan Ward of the Township of Cavan Monaghan more than 20 years ago for the purpose of constructing a Buddhist temple, meditation center and Buddhist garden and;
WHEREAS the proposed temple will be the largest of its kind in North America and is part of a four-temple complex to eventually be constructed on properties in Cavan and the City of Kawartha Lakes, creating a huge global tourist draw for the area and;
WHEREAS Construction on the temple and garden, to be known as the Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden in Canada has begun on the Cavan site and;
WHEREAS the proposed Stoneboat Community Wind Farm has caused grave concern for the Buddhist Association of Canada Cham Shan Temple, due to the close proximity of the wind project to the development site and is likely to have a detrimental effect on the proposed use of the property, especially the meditation center and gardens;
THEREFORE be it resolved that the Council, of the Township of Cavan Monaghan supports the Buddhist Association of Canada Cham Shan Temple in their concern and urges the Provincial Government of Ontario to not allow the Stoneboat Community Wind Farm to proceed and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to The Buddhist Association of Canada Cham Shan Temple, the City of Kawartha Lakes, the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario, the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Energy, the Honourable Jim Bradley, Minister of Environment, the Honourable Linda Jeffrey, Minister of Municipal Affairs, the Honourable Jeff Leal, Minister of Rural Affairs, the Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism Culture and Sport, the Honourable Tim Hudak, leader of the Conservative Party of Ontario, the Honourable Andrea Horwath, leader of the Ontario NDP, Haliburton Kawartha Lakes Bock MPP Laurie Scott and Ms. Khristina Rudzki, Senior Project Evaluator – TEAM 5.
NOTE: Apparently Councillor Chaplin has been taken ill… hopefully there will be a quick recovery.
NOTE: The Cham Shan Buddhist organization have purchased over 7800 acres of land in the Manvers/Cavan Monaghan area and plan to make this area a worldwide pilgrimage destination. They will be investing millions of dollars into the community and will increase trade and tourism possibilities. As indicated, the area wind projects will destroy all that they have worked over 20 years to achieve thus far as well as the grand future plans.
In Scotland, Buddhists were forced to abandon their retreat because of the installation of an industrial wind power plant. Will the Ontario government or the developer compensate the Cham Shan Buddhists as well as the municipalities of City of Kawartha Lakes and Cavan Monaghan? Something to ask Premier Wynne and Rural Affairs and local MPP Jeff Leal…
Monks selling retreat at Ae forest
Jun 29 2012 by Jackie Grant, Dumfries Standard Friday
BUDDHIST monks are selling their spiritual retreat in the forest of Ae because they can’t live near a windfarm.
Scottish Power, which has lodged plans to extend the Harestanes development with a further 19, 125-foot turbines, said it was close to finalising a buy-out deal with the Tharpaland monks.
Concerned monks submitted evidence to a Scottish parliamentary inquiry into the government’s renewable energy plans, claiming they suffered serious side effects when they were praying within five miles of a windfarm.
They say these included: pain in the head and chest, heart palpitations, dizziness, dry retching, anger, heightened emotions and crying.
Tharpaland is Britain’s only international retreat centre of a popular and growing branch of Buddhism known as the New Kadampa Tradition.
It was founded in 1985 and attracts thousands of people from all over the world.
In their evidence, the monks said: “As Buddhists, we cherish the natural environment and all who live in it and are committed to the development of clean and sustainable forms of energy and are therefore not opposed in principle to the development of windfarms.
“However, in March 2003, following news of a proposal to build a massive windfarm in the Forest of Ae, Tharpaland set about assessing the wider implications this would have on the centre’s ability to provide suitable conditions for meditative retreat, if the windfarm was approved.
“The findings of these studies were so surprisingly negative and adverse that there was little room for doubt that the proposed windfarm, if approved, would force Tharpaland to close.
“It showed a consistent and progressive average 70 per cent loss in ability to develop concentration over the various distances approaching the windfarms and virtually a total loss in ability to develop concentration at the turbine site itself.
“Subjects also reported disturbing negative psychological reactions including confusion, loss of self-confidence, effects similar to depression, effects similar to mania, irritability and anger, heightened emotionality and crying.
“For most of the subjects in these studies, these windfarms were centres of massive and traumatic disturbance, even after only a few hours. They also claim that spiritual centres and communities could be forced to close and disperse.
A Scottish Power spokesman said: “We have been in regular contact with Tharpaland and, after positive discussions, are in the process of finalising an agreement to purchase the property.”http://www.
Carmen Krogh at the Town Hall Meeting
A standing room only crowd greeted Ms. Krogh. Two representatives from the Cham Shan Buddhist Temple and two councillors from Hamilton Township – Deputy Mayor Isobel Hie and Councillor Donna Cole who have made the trip to several meetings in this area were in attendance.
The audience heard first hand stories of families who live among industrial wind power plants who are suffering health issues including vertigo, cardiovascular problems, sleep disturbances and sleep deprivation. There was a lively exchange between Paul Reid of Manvers Wind Concerns and a member of the audience who discounted all adverse health claims. That scepticism hopefully was put to rest by Mr. Reid and by the person who stood up to say he worked on wind turbines, became ill, had to quit and is still recovering several years later.
Some notes from the meeting by an attendee… thanks so much S.
-Carmen Krogh is a retired pharmacist with over 40 years experience in health, and currently works with The Society for Wind Vigilance – an international federation of physicians, engineers and other professionals – their work is peer-reviewed and published
-for the last four years she has been presenting her research internationally
-her presentation on Tuesday, September 17 on the health effects from industrial wind turbines was the second Townhall meeting hosted by Scott McFadden
-she references all of her facts, and has over 1200 references
-according to the World Health Organization, we have a right to health
-this means a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease, and Health Canada supports that definition
-despite this right, government policies and conflicting interests can affect our health – sometimes negatively impacting our health status
-for example, wind energy targets proposed by CANWEA mean federally 20% wind energy by 2025, despite health issues being reported; these targets are industry driven and government supported
-in 2010 a Ministry of the Environment staff report showed that low frequency sound at typical setbacks in Ontario could cause ‘annoyance’
-describing a health effect as ‘just an annoyance’ trivializes the impact – in reality it is a stressor, results in suffering, and is an adverse health effect
-the presentation outlined the difference between ‘direct’ and ‘indirect’ pathways with respect to noise exposure
-she described direct pathway as for example, the noise one might be exposed to in a factory and which could directly lead to hearing loss, whereas indirect pathways refer to the types of sounds associated with wind turbines – swooshing, thumping, tonal noise (humming), vibration, infrasound etc.
-it is important to note that the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health onlyconsidered direct pathway exposure in her assessment of wind turbine effects
-issues involving industrial turbines in Denmark were also discussed
-in 1985 turbines in Denmark were 40 meters high, currently they are 143 meters (this is similar to the height of the industrial turbines being used in Ontario)
-as a result, the sound output is higher
-now that they are increasing in height and density, health effects are being reported
-Denmark is now compensating residents for property value loss as well
-she states that as turbine heights increase, new research must be conducted with respect to setbacks, and suggests the precautionary principle needs to be invoked
-she talked about people leaving their homes due to health effects, and that they obviously don’t do this for trivial reasons – they have no choice (sleep disruption is the most common issue)
-developers don’t seem to be buying out those with health issues now, and litigation is expensive
-she describes the effect on people of having to leave their homes like post traumatic stress disorder– they feel a real lack of justice
-she feels we should be looking after those who have been adversely affected, and is guided in her studies by the people whose health is affected
-normally we invoke precaution, and when we are ill and go to the doctor we are not required to bring a peer-reviewed report with us
-with respect to specific health effects from industrial wind turbines, sleep disturbance is the most frequently reported issue, and chronic sleep deprivation can result in cardiovascular effects
-others report headaches, nausea, vertigo, and tinnitus (she is seeing an increase in reports of vertigo in particular as the size of turbines increase)
-with respect to children she is quite concerned about the placement of industrial turbines near schools
-children with autism are particularly at risk
-health effects from turbines are sometimes immediate, and for others can occur three to nine months later
-chronic exposure can build up over time
-women and men are equally affected
-people with motion sickness are susceptible, and those with migraine headaches may have them more frequently
-the flicker effect from turbines was also discussed – it is not just a direct strobe effect, it appears on the ground and high up, is worse in winter, and is also a problem at night due to the moon and stars
-the light bounces around and triggers nausea, vertigo, and in some cases people no longer are able to drive as they have become disoriented due to the flicker effect – children with autism are particularly affected
-both the University of Waterloo and Health Canada are currently conducting health studies
-neither have revealed how they are selecting subjects for their study
-there needs to be surveillance of health issues pre and post-turbines – also sleep journals should be kept
-the design of the study is important – the Health Canada study won’t be definitive, though she states there is a way to make it a definitive study
-currently health studies are also being conducted in Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Netherlands, and a British medical journal includes a study on sleep
-research is difficult due to the lack of standardization
-distance, turbine model, where they are placed all have an impact
-in addition to the turbines increasing in height, the blades are changing as well from sleek to more stubby models leading to more health effects – one model has slotted blades which increases infrasound
-density also needs to be considered – sound is augmented with the accumulation of more turbines
-with respect to setbacks, at 2km less health effects were reported
-however, turbine megawatt output has steadily increased, and studies to date have been based on smaller turbines
-studies should involve a multidisciplinary approach requiring health officials, engineers, acoustic specialists etc.
A summary of the town hall meeting can also be found onwww.CavanSaysNo.org
Despite being invited, Jeff Leal, Minister of Rural Affairs was a no-show. Mr. Leal is quoted as saying that he’s not quite up to speed on the wind turbine issue despite Collie Hill wind warrior Debbie Lynch and Manvers and Millbrook residents having sent Mr Leal countless letters even before he became Rural Affairs minister.
Local MPP Jeff Leal – Rural Affairs Minister needs to hear from local residents..
Sample letters are posted on www.socm.ca under How You Can Help – Wind Turbines… direct link…http://www.youronlineagents.
Email contact for Mr. Leal: jleal.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org;minister.mra@ontario.ca;
And Premier Wynne as Agriculture Minister: minister.omaf@ontario.ca
Next public meeting: Townhall on Tuesday, October 1st at 7 pm. Cavan Monaghan Township offices… tentatively scheduled – testimonies from people who live within a wind power plant .
NOTE: Everyone in the region needs to pay attention and become involved. WHY? Because there are now 4 industrial wind projects planned for the Manvers/Cavan Monaghan area alone. There are also applications for approval in to the MOE for wind power plants in Kirby and Newtonville. There are wind met towers in Yelverton, Hayes Line north of Mount Pleasant and along Hwy 2 near Roseberry Road in Newtonville. To be confirmed, there appears there may be a new met tower along Dale Road in Hamitlon Township. Moreover, recent correspondence with the OPA reveals that met towers are not mandatory “the OPA Contract does not directly require facilities to build met towers to forecast wind resources” so there may be many more projects in unknown locations coming this way. The window of opportunity for developers to seek FIT contracts with the OPA for large scale wind and solar plants opens this November. As the folks in Cavan have discovered – Next It Might Be You.
It’s About Water.
