Windmill debate continues to cause turbulence

By Britania Tremblay

Prince Edward County councillors and members of the public left the Nov. 10 special meeting over a new proposed windmill bylaw for the municipality at Shire Hall feeling impotent, bemoaning the unanswered questions.
“In my opinion, the mark was missed. And in a lot of ways, it feels like we’re beating a dead horse because, in the game of politics, the Ontario government trumps municipalities. And if the province doesn’t want it, then the province isn’t going to care what we have on paper,” said Prince Edward County councillor Kevin Gale.
County council met on Tuesday to discuss the current situation with regards to windmills around Prince Edward County. The council offered its position statement as part of its agenda, stating council supports the development of green energy in Prince Edward County. And, it wishes to provide opportunities for conservation strategies and the further development of renewable energy systems. The council believes it should promote a forward thinking site plan and approach to large scale energy project in Prince Edward County.
City councillor Dianne O’Brien was concerned about government funds and the total cost of the proposal.
Chief Administrative Officer Richard Shannon was unable to answer, instead offering an estimated figure.
“The number we’ve came up with, and we have nothing to base this on is $100,000 to start,” he said.
“No, we haven’t had those discussions with the province. We’ve tried to put some kind of estimate around what would be involved in a background report; which would presumably, through council involvement and public input, send out some policies about what number is appropriate,” he said,
Shannon also mentioned other issues that could explain the cost of having the wind turbines put up. He said that having background reports are a key part in determining effects that wind turbines could have on a community.
Shannon also said that the motion wasn’t meant to be a definitive answer but only meant to be brought up in front of council to determine whether or not the site plan is a good idea.
“If the council wants us to take the initiative, we will do what we can,” Shannon said.
Whether or not there was a template to work from, city councillor Monica Alyea had a strong opinion about the fact that people are going to set up turbines regardless of the site plan.
“The problem with what we’ve got here, and I’m not saying that it doesn’t have merit, is that it ignores some of our public that we’re responsible for. It ignores the fact there are people who already have gotten contracts; that this industry is already here. Certainly, those who are going to set up on crown land are going to set up on crown land. And us developing a site plan isn’t going to change it one bit,” she said.
Prince Edward County resident, Ron Norton, who was actually a farmer for 45 years, felt the council couldn’t really do much with what they were presented with.
“I feel that the council has been back into a box. And they have to deal with what was before them,” he said.
Another local Daryl Brown felt the turbines were going just cause more problems for the town.
“Once the government gets the turbines erected, it’s going to be a hay day for them. And anyone who doesn’t think so, has their head in the sand,” Brown said.