Wind energy meetings called 'one-sided'

By Andy Comber, April 4, 2007 -
 
Some local residents and citizens' groups expressed disappointment with two recent wind energy meetings that they feel did not fully address the negative impacts of wind power developments proposed for much of Essex County.
 
"Overall, the presentation was extremely one-sided - unfortunately," said Malden resident Bill Anderson, chair of the Essex County Wind Action Group (ECWAG), speaking of a public wind energy meeting co-hosted by the Essex County Federation of Agriculture and Kent County Federation of Agriculture March 29 in Tilbury.
 
"The emphasis, to the point of exaggeration, was put on any positive aspects of wind turbines in Essex County, while any comments made by the presenters about negative aspects actually trivialized them," said Anderson, who complained that the format afforded no opportunity for debate.
 
"No mention or concern was directed towards the properties of the thousands of rural residents who do not own farms, but are neighbours with legitimate concerns about decreased property values, noise, health, wildlife, and overall quality of life," he said.
 
At the public meeting, brief 20-minute presentations were given by Mike Crawley, president of AIM PowerGen, a UK-owned wind energy company based in Toronto; Juan Anderson, an engineer with M. K. Ince, a wind energy consulting firm; and Ted Cowan, a researcher with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture Farm Policy Research Group.
 
Earlier that day, ECFA hosted a similar but more indepth meeting with interested Essex County municipal leaders and staff. Although that session was lightly attended, citizens who had expressed interest in attending that meeting were barred entry.
 
"I was refused entry to a wind energy meeting that has been organized by an association into which I pay membership," said Colette McLean, a Colchester farmer and OFA member, who had explained to organizers that she was unable to attend the later meeting.
 
"I have noticed in the past year, since the prospect of having a wind farm come to my area, that tension, suspicion, fear and even anger has developed within my friends, family and neighbours," said McLean.
 
McLean expressed bewilderment over the province's handling of wind energy development, expecting farmers "to carry the full risk" without being fully informed of the implications.
 
"Believe me, I am all for renewable energy, but for ones that provide feasible economic return for my province in the long-term and that do not degenerate one sector's quality of life or long-term viability," she said.