At the 6/11 Council meeting I tabled a motion regarding large scale developments of wind turbines. Although the Province through its Green Energy Act has eliminated a municipality’s ability to approve or not approve such applications I believe we can not sit back and be passive on the issue given King’s unique characteristics and some of the continuing unanswered questions about large scale wind farms. (I must admit that this was not an original idea on my part. It is wonderful when residents have good ideas and do some of the research; it makes my job much easier.)
Below is the motion. It will be discussed and voted on at the 6/18 Council meeting. I would appreciate hearing from you as to your thoughts on the matter.
Whereas King Township is a largely rural municipality with significant investment in livestock and feedstock;
Whereas King Township’s economy and sustainability are predicated on the maintenance of the health and welfare of our feedstock and livestock;
Whereas King Township adopted its Integrated Community Sustainability Plan in April 2012 and that Plan identifies that “agriculture and equine are more than just industries in King Township—they are part of our natural and cultural heritage and way of life;”
Whereas the Council of King Township is entrusted with protecting the interests, health and welfare of its residents;
Whereas there is significant and conflicting evidence about the health and environmental concerns related specifically to the noise and vibrations created by the operation of wind turbines;
Whereas wind turbines and other renewable energy projects are no longer subject to the Planning Act and the Township is no longer able to regulate the development of such facilities through its Official Plans, Zoning By-laws or site plans;
Whereas the Province of Ontario does not measure the impact on health and welfare created by the noise and vibration from the operation of wind turbines;
Whereas both the 2010 York Region Official Plan and King Township’s pending Official Plan Amendment for power generation includes concept of developing protocols for dealing with Renewable Energy Facilities (REA)
Now therefore be it resolved:
As the Township works with the Region to adopt a protocol for wind turbine and other REA facilities which would align with King Township’s pending power generation Official Plan Amendment, the protocol for wind turbines, with the exception of small-scale windmills proposed by business owners and private resident landholders, will include the need for proponent to provide credible documentation and supporting studies prepared by qualified professionals that the operation of such turbines will NOT negatively impact the health and welfare of our residents, the natural environment, the feedstock and livestock;
That the Council of King Township will actively pursue and request larger setback requirements than those outlined in the Green Energy Act (said criteria being 550 meters) of not less than 2,000 meters until such time as conclusive evidence can be offered showing no negative impact from the operation of wind turbines.
Hi Debbie, This is one issue where I strongly support the advancement and expansion of green energy options such as wind and solar. I’m concerned with all the negative press that keeps getting generated about wind turbines. We all need to wake up and realize that our air quality in southern Ontario is among the poorest in North America. Many people’s breathing is compromised and I understand there are many, many premature deaths in Ontario due to poor air quality. I also understand the prime source for this is electricity generation from fossil fuels and industrial burning of fossil fuels. In addition, nuclear energy has plunged Ontario into major debt which we are all paying. We need to move forward on wind, hydro and solar.
Yes, the positioning of wind turbines needs to be done wisely, and in my view should be focused mainly in offshore locations within the Great Lakes and possibly other large lakes in Ontario. Sadly, I understand Ontario has stopped the studies into offshore projects due to lobbying. In the meantime the land-based “wind farms” appear to be a helpful option with a lot of potential.
I’m concerned your motion and others, along with all the other negative press focused on wind turbines, may discourage the advancement of this clean technology. A 2000 metre buffer would put a complete stop to larger wind turbine projects in almost all of southern Ontario.
I’ll do some research once I’m clear of school on the health concerns related to wind turbines which from all I’ve heard so far appear to be trumped up, while we all miss the ongoing SERIOUS health issue of poor air quality and the ongoing risk of pouring billions and billions more dollars into nuclear energy. My two-bits. Bruce
Hi Bruce, I totally agree with your points as to why wind turbines are important; your 1st para. is very comprehensive in covering the points. Having said that we need to keep pushing for more study and documentation both on the risks which likely exist in all municipalities such as humans and the risks unique to only a few municipalities such as equine sector. I look forward to hearing from you once you have opportunity to do more research. Debbie
Please let me know if this motion is passed. I’ll add it to the list of 83 municipalities who have passed motions against industrial wind turbines.
Will do Lorrie. But, I would like to clarify that my resolution is not against industrial wind turbines. My resolution is about pushing for more studies and documentation and about challenging the setbacks. Debbie
Hi Debbie,
I would like to pass your resolution along to our council for their consideration as many of the citizens and council members have the same concerns as referred to in your resolution .I was wondering if your resolution was discussed and/or passed at your council meeting on June 18th.
Hello Marion, Thank you for your interest. My resolution is on the agenda for consideration and debate at our 6/25 Council meeting. I have heard from several people that they are disappointed/surprised at my anti-wind turbine position. As the latter is not at all true I am in process of making some modifications to provide clarity that my desire to see more documentation and evidence about the wind turbines is only regarding the large industrial wind turbines. I do not want to burden businesses or private land owners to do more research before erecting wind turbines for their own use. I will write a post on the Council decision.