The Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce recently submitted a letter to the MoE to lobby for regulations to allow for the rapid deployment of renewable energy projects by minimizing the setbacks from family homes, enabling the developers to squeeze more turbines in populated areas.
It is significant that this letter does not mention any interest in protecting Ontario families from adverse health effects or property devaluation from renewable energy facilities.
First of all, I find it reprehensible and a complete conflict of interest for Mr. Drummond would use his position on the Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce to further his own personal financial interests in that Golder Associates is deeply involved with the wind industry and depends on the wind industry for a significant portion of its profits.
Is the Windsor and Essex County Chamber of Commerce simply a mouthpiece for the renewable energy industry? Where on earth Mr. Drummond ever got the idea that 350 meters is “international standard” shows the shallow level of interest and research he has undertaken in this matter. There is no such thing as an ”international standard”. This is total fabrication and arbitrary nonsense. Please see the table attached which outlines the massive improvement in setbacks that have been taking place in Europe and around the world. The table shows 350 m would be the absolutely bare minimum and sadly lacking.
The wind energy industry has already demonstrated that their rapid deployment of industrial wind turbines in Ontario is a risk to human health.
The number of people in Ontario reporting adverse health affects due to industrial wind turbines continues to rise. The first Wind Concerns Ontario community-based self reporting survey was made public on April 22, 2009 by Dr. Robert McMurtry at the Standing Committee for the Green Energy Act. The new total is now 86 which is a disturbing 62% increase from 53 as reported earlier this year.
Ontario families have been forced to abandon their homes to protect their health from improperly sited industrial wind turbines. http://windconcernsontario.org
The request contained in the Chamber of Commerce letter is simply to achieve economic gain with no regard for the protection of the health and safety of Ontario families.
Setbacks and noise guidelines cannot be based on the self serving opinions of the wind energy industry and it’s affiliated industries such as that which Mr. Drummond works for.
Setbacks and noise guidelines must be developed based on valid medically based research from independent professionals qualified to conduct epidemiology studies. This is what must be demanded…not ridiculous, arbitrary minimum standards.
Respectfully,
Executive and Membership of Essex County Wind Action Group
c.c.
Marcia Wallace, Manager, Ministry of the Environment Planning & Implementation Branch
George Smitherman, Ontario Minister of Energy and Infrastructure
Sandra Pupatello, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, International Trade and Investment MPP, Windsor West
Dwight Duncan, Ontario Minister of Finance, MPP, Windsor – Tecumseh
Bruce Crozier, MPP, Essex
Mayor Eddie Francis, City of Windsor
Warden Nelson Santos, County of Essex
Mayors and Council of all Essex County Municipalities
Mayor and Council of the City of Windsor
Brian Gregg, CAO, County of Essex
John Skorobohacz, CAO, City of Windsor
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Obviously, they subscribe to the principle: Health and safety come first unless it interferes with production. Maybe they’re buddies of Dwight Duncan or just plain card carrying Liberals.
Whoever they are they should show some respect for their neighbours.