Meaford council has had a change of mind with regard to wind farms.
In late January of this year a resolution put before council which sought to demand that the upper levels of government dedicate resources toward scientific research into the potential health effects of wind turbines, and to develop authoritative regulations for the location of wind turbines, was defeated in a 4-3 vote.
At the time the resolution was supported by Councillors Cynthia Lemon, Lynda Stephens, and Harley Greenfield.
Last night though a similar resolution in support of the position of the West Grey which requests a moratorium on the development of wind turbines passed by a vote of 5-1 with Deputy Mayor Michael Traynor abstaining from participating in the discussion and vote due to a conflict of interest. Only Councillor Gerald Shortt voted against the resolution.
“There are so many issues, so many questions about wind turbines that are unanswered,” said Councillor Harley Greenfield during discussion of the resolution, “We are facing the potential establishment of a wind farm in our municipality, we need to get some answers. I worry about a pandemic of these farms being established in our province without the vital information that is needed. Let's slow dance on this, and let's get some answers.”
Councillor Jim McPherson who conceded that he had not been fully informed of the intricacies of the provincial Green Energy Act in January when council voted on the issue, told council that he was supporting the new resolution as a matter of principle because he feels that municipalities should have a say in the development of wind farms within their communities.
“I've come to the realization that council does not have any input as to where these wind farms go. The other thing that I am very much aware of is that the Leader of the Opposition is on record as saying that where municipalities have agreed to have wind farms in their municipalities, if he becomes Premier, he will allow them there. With the polls the way they are now, he will be the next Premier so it is critical that this resolution passes,” said McPherson.
Councillor Lemon who had brought the original resolution before council in January was pleased that the new resolution was receiving support this time around.
“I am sorry that this particular resolution didn't get support the first time around, but I am glad that there are those who have had an epiphany, and have a clearer understanding of the issues at this point in time,” said Lemon.
Lemon expressed a view that wind turbines should not even be considered as a power generation source for a multitude of reasons not the least of which being the unknown health implications.
“They (wind turbines) are not sufficiently efficient to power a toaster, I'm not sure why we are even considering them when we have more power than we need in the province, and people are concerned about the cost as it is. These machines are subsidized already to a certain extent by out tax dollars, and that doesn't even address all of the other issues in terms of health, and that in my mind as I read more and more, creates a level of anxiety for me,” offered Lemon.
Councillor Stephens told council that she is in favour of wind turbines, but not of wind farms, and though she supports the implementation of alternative energy sources, the feels that the province is going about it the wrong way.
The lone vote against the resolution was that of Councillor Gerald Shortt who admitted that he is not convinced about the much debated potential health risks associated with wind turbines.
“I myself wouldn't have one if I had a farm, because I'd be concerned that if (the power company) ever walked away from it, how would I remove it? I don't see a health problem with them myself. I can't believe there would be health problems with turbines, it is unbelievable to me,” said Shortt, “We want economic development here, don't forget about that, so it's not an easy thing to deal with.”
After the vote which passed the resolution, the council chamber gallery which was filled to capacity erupted with applause.
Local wind farm opponent Nicholas Schaut told The Independent after the meeting that even though the Green Energy Act ties the hands of municipalities with respect to any input or decision making with regard to the development of wind farms, he feels it is important for municipalities to publicly state their position on the issue in hopes of pressuring the province.
“Clearly it is a token statement, but it is an important one,” said Schaut.
