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Archive for November 14th, 2012

Nov 14

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Kincardine — Report on Armow Public Information Centre, November 12

From Wind Concerns Ontario

Representatives of Central Bruce-Grey Wind Concerns successfully challenged promoters of Pattern/Samsung at their Public Information Centre held in Kincardine on November 12. Following problems experienced in the Enbridge project where the noise modelling was flawed, the Noise Modelling report presented for this new project involving 99 turbines was the focus of concern. Detailed verification of this report indicated that 90% of the co-ordinates provided for the wind turbines were not correct. Project Leader for Pattern Energy, Jody Law, told Central Bruce-Grey that he was not able to answer their questions at the meeting. It was clear from the discussion that the noise modelling needs to be completely reworked.

When another participant separately asked for a copy of the current noise assessment, they were told that they could not provide a copy as it was being changed to reflect the relocation of 10 turbines.

Given the level of inaccuracy in the material and the apparent plans to revise the key document, Central Bruce-Grey Concerns questioned the value of holding a public meeting when the final information could not be provided to the residents of the area. They will be seeking another public meeting after the new report is released and they have been provided with an adequate period to review the new document.

The information gaps reinforced the recommendation made to the Kincardine Municipal Council last week that they engage expertise to undertake a full peer-review of the noise report for the Armow project. When local activists find this level of error in documentation being presented to the MOE in support of an REA submission, the call for a detailed professional review of the documentation seems to be fully justified.

Nov 14

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Australia — Wind farm lobbyists deny more rules are needed

Nick Perry — The Australian — November 14, 2012

WIND farms don’t need further rules about noise levels because the existing regulations are among the toughest in the world, a Senate hearing has been told.

An inquiry on Wednesday examined a Senate bill seeking to refuse certification to wind farms that exceed normal background noise by more than 10 decibels.

Advocates for the legislation told the hearing that low-frequency noise generated by turbines could have negative health consequences on people living near wind farms.

But representatives from the wind farm industry say the bill, introduced by independent senator Nick Xenophon and Democratic Labor Party senator John Madigan, is unnecessary and would just add extra costs and push up power prices.

“The jurisdictions around Australia … have some of the most stringent noise requirements for wind farms anywhere in the world,” Vestas Wind Systems director Ken McAlpine said.

“We are happy to comply with those, and we do every day.”

He objected to the term “excessive noise” used in the bill, saying it implied the state rules currently in place weren’t satisfactory.

The senators pushing for change had not made a case for why strengthening the commonwealth regulator as proposed by the bill would do a better job.

The bill would give the Clean Energy Regulator power to ensure accredited wind farms don’t create excessive noise within 30 metres of people’s homes, workplaces or meeting spots.

(To continue reading, click here)

Nov 14

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Bluewater OKs IWT permits

Melissa Murray — Seaforth Huron Expositor — November 12, 2012

Constructing an Industrial Wind Turbine in Bluewater could cost up to $1.35 million after council decided in a unanimous vote to increase the building permit fees on Nov. 5 in front of a crowd of about 120 people.

The municipality went without a building permit fee for wind turbines after the old fee schedule was rescinded and the new one didn’t include a dollar amount for turbines because council couldn’t agree on the cost at its May 28 meeting.

Coun. John Gillespie suggested bonds or securities be implemented for decommissioning of turbines, for legal fees, economic development and that wind proponents enter into a roads agreement and respect the setback bylaws of the municipality and have transmission lines be buried. His motion to attach this to the building permit process also passed unanimously and will come back to council as a bylaw at a future meeting.

Councillor-at-large Tyler Hessel chaired the meeting after Mayor Bill Dowson, Deputy Mayor Paul Klopp and Coun. John Becker declared a pecuniary interest before the discussions.

While discussing the fee proposed by Chief Building Officer Tim Masse of $5 per KW councillors Geordie Palmer and John Gillespie suggested that $10 per KW would be more appropriate.

The $10 figure put councillors near where Hal March of the Bluewater Shoreline Residents association suggested the municipality should be. He suggested that Bluewater charge $15,000 per turbine and that a $5 million security be put in place for decommissioning and property devaluation. Dave Griffiths, the second deputation and president of Bluewater against turbines, suggested the municipality take a stand against the Green Energy Act.

(To continue reading, click here)