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Archive for November 16th, 2012

Nov 16

Blue-winged_Warbler

McGuinty’s Green Energy Act’s “Mortality Threshold” favours wind developers over Ontario’s natural heritage

Rick Conroy — The Wellington Times — November 16, 2012

How ministry bureaucracy tasked with protecting Ontario’s natural heritage is clearing the way for industrial wind development

What is an Important Bird Area? Does it have any specific meaning or legal weight? Not much, it seems, when it comes to industrial wind factories or solar energy generating facilities, according to the province’s Ministry of Natural Resources.

In response to questions posed in a letter by Milford-area resident Kathy McPherson, an official from the MNR wrote that “IBAs (important bird areas) are nongovernmental designations, and do not constitute a wildlife habitat under the Ministry of the Environment’s Renewable Energy Approval (REA) regulation.”

Eric Boysen, a director of the Renewable Energy Program within the MNR, was only saying what has been evident since the McGuinty government passed the heavy-handed Green Energy Act—that accepted norms of practice, the views of respected conservancy organizations, the public’s expectations about preserving Crown Land and the very primacy of the province’s natural resources are of little consequence to this provincial government, and won’t be allowed to slow down its ambitions for renewable energy.

Boysen goes on to say that IBAs could inform the designation of a SWH (significant wildlife habitat) but only SWHs are protected under the NHA (Natural Heritage Assessment) process.

Boysen’s response provides a window into how ministry bureaucrats, traditionally accused of setting up roadblocks, are actually clearing the path for the developers seeking to build these factories on land that would otherwise be considered off-limits.

(To continue reading, click here)

Nov 16

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ON –Wind turbine application made official, West Lincoln gets 90-day review and comment period

Amanda Moore — Niagara This Week — November 16, 2012

The township of West Lincoln have a minimum of 90 days to review and comment on the 230 megawatt industrial wind turbine project proposed by Niagara Region Wind Corp.

Planning director Brian Treble informed council Monday that he had received the renewable energy application submitted to the province by NRWC for review on Nov. 5. Delivery of the document means the township has a minimum of 90 days to review it and make comments.

“This is what starts the 90-day consultation period prior to the second open house,” said Treble, noting he has not heard a specific date for the second public consultation meeting, mandated under the Green Energy Act. The submission, said Treble, is eight, packed binders and could take more than the mandated 90 days for the independent consultant sought by the township to review the submission.

Planning chair Sue Ellen Merritt shared that fear.

“Eight binders, 90 days, that’s not enough time,” said Merritt, who was concerned the consultant may miss something while rushing to meet the deadline.

(To continue reading, click here)

Nov 16

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UK Energy Minister — Windfarms are “extremely inefficient and costly”

Fiona Harvey — Environmental Correspondent — The Guardian — November 16, 2012

John Hayes: ‘windfarms will not replace gas or nuclear’

The energy minister has revealed, in a letter seen by the Guardian, the extent of his misapprehensions about wind.

Windfarms are “extremely inefficient and costly” and will not be able to replace gas or nuclear power generation, according to a letter sent by the Conservative energy minister, John Hayes, which reveals the extent of his antipathy to the technology.

It is well known that Hayes is sceptical about onshore wind and he wasslapped down by his boss at the Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc), Ed Davey, last month for saying that “enough is enough” for windfarm growth. But the letter gives the clearest account of his objections and is likely to concern proponents because it repeats misapprehensions about the technology.

In a letter to the chief executive of South Holland district council, seen by the Guardian, the energy minister said: “Wind turbines … create barely a trickle of nonstorable electricity and none at all when wind speed is unsuitable. They will always have to be backed up by conventional power stations because of their unreliability. Because the wind by nature is intermittent and cannot generate a steady output of energy to supply constant demand, even thousands of wind turbines won’t replace gas or nuclear power generation.”

(To continue reading, click here)