Multi-Municipal Wind Turbine Working Group

Transcription

1 Multi-Municipal Wind Turbine Working Group Thursday, July 11th, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Chesley Fire Hall 211 lsi Ave N, Chesley Chesley, Ontario MINUTES A meeting of the Multi Municipal Wind Turbine Working Group was held on Thursday, July 11111, 2013 at the Chesley Fire Hall. The following Members of the Group were present: Name Don Murray Mark Davis Steve Hammell Keith Stelling Barfoot, Alan Stewart Halliday LaITY Close Paul McQueen Alme-Louise Gibbons Ian Gibbons Terry McKay Tony Clark W men Howard Bev Cutting Carol Lawrence Betsy Stewart Tom Boyle Brian Barnim Anne Eadie Candy Hewitt WilfGamble Bill Palmer Municipality Huron-Kinloss Georgian Bluffs Brockton Brockton ChatswOlth Chatsworth North Perth West Grey West Grey NOlthern Bmce Peninsula Northern Bmce Peninsula Central Huron Huron-Kinloss Saugeen Shores Position (Chair) (Co-Chair) Mayor The following members of Staff were present: Teresa Gowan Secretary Others in attendance were: Frances Coe Babette Beard Joseph Leung

2 Dan Stewart Rachel Thompson Bill MacKenzie Northern Bruce Peninsula 1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA The Agenda circulated to members was amended to remove the delegation of Lori Gillis & Sherri Lange as they were unable to attend this meeting. A Revised Agenda was circulated to members prior to the meeting. Seconded by: Keith Stelling That the Revised Agenda for the Group meeting of July 11 th, 2013 be received and adopted as amended. 2. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS: No disclosures of pecuniary interests were made by the committee. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by: Keith Stelling Seconded by: Anne Louise Gibbons That the minutes of the June 13 th, 2013 meeting be adopted as circulated. 4. DELEGATIONS (This presentation was by a Member of the MMWTWG and not a delegate) 4.1 Warren Howard presented a PowerPoint presentation regarding the meeting he, Stewart Halliday and Barb Ashbee attended in Guelph being the Regional Energy Planning and Siting Process in Ontario presented by OP AIlES 0 (Ontario Power Authority / Independent Electricity System Operator). On May 6,2013 Minister of Energy, Bob Chiarelli, asked OPA and IESO to make recommendations for a new integrated regional energy planning process that would focus on improving on how large energy projects are sited. These recommendations are to be due to the Minister of Energy by August 1,2013, therefore the deadline for submissions is July 15,2013. Page 2 of5 July 11 th, 2013

3 There was a general group discussion regarding important concerns to be included in an effective submission by municipalities covering issues of municipalities declaring "unwilling host" resolutions, loss of property values, loss of agricultural land, numerous health issues, and the effect of wind turbine projects on tourism. Warren Howard suggested that it may be beneficial to propose alternative renewable energy projects rather than just opposing wind turbines in the submission, in order to indicate that municipalities are interested in discussing new and various types of energy in regional energy planning. We need to focus on positive suggestions. Warren stated that it is not necessary to submit a scientific document in the submission, a short response would be sufficient but reiterated that the deadline for submissions is July 15, 2013 therefore immediate action needs to be taken given the short timeframe. Warren handed out to the group a list of address and s for submissions to be directed by July 15,2013. He also stated that there's an online survey as well. Keith Stelling had circulated by a letter format which could be adopted for the submission process. The group discussed whether this letter be used by various members for submission or whether individual letters be prepared. 5. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES 5.1 None brought forward. 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.1 Stewart Halliday had circulated to the group an Ontario Fire Marshall letter on the wind turbine fire which had occurred. Stewart stated he spoke with Grey Highlands' Fire Chief who advised him that under Section 7 of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPP A) there is sufficient legislation in place for municipalities to insist that wind turbine companies install fire suppression systems in the wind turbines. Stewart stated that he will suggest that the Municipality of Grey Highlands create and enforce a bylaw to provide for the installation of a fire suppression system in the turbines. Stewart will send a summary to the Committee Secretary to distribute to the group prior to the next meeting. 6.2 Bill Palmer spoke to the group about the lessons he learned from the VARNA ERT hearing. Bill advised the group, the need to be specific when you file an ERT Page 3 of5 July 11th, 2013

4 appeal. you must make sure that every possible concern you have is included in the appeal, because only concerns in the original appeal will be heard. For example, if you do not use the words "public safety" in the original appeal, then that issue cannot be discussed. There is no option to add an additional concern after an appeal has been filed. There are differences between being an appellant (the party to an appeal, which is liable for costs) or a participant or a presenter. If you don't apply as a party, ask for status as a participant or a presenter, keeping in mind that presenters can be cross-examined in the hearing. Bill Palmer attended and presented papers at two conferences, one was the International Acoustical Congress in Montreal which included the Acoustical Society of America. The draft policy statement prepared by the public policy subcommittee of the Acoustical Society of America recognized human health impacts from wind turbines, and recommending action to address them. The other conference Bill attended was the Climate Change Technology Conference at which he also presented a paper. There were several presentations at this conference recognizing that renewables were not responsible for coal shutdown, but unfortunately, there were no government officials in attendance to listen. 7. FOR INFORMATION 7.1 An from Lisa M. Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce was distributed to the group announcing the PC Caucus Renewable Energy Symposium on July 30, 2013 at the Albany Club, 91 King St. E., Toronto. Contact Lisa Thompson MMP for inquiries or to R.S.V.P. at lisa.thompson@'pc.ola.org 7.2 Don Murray advised the group that he received a letter from Jennifer Lawrie, Deputy Clerk from the Municipality of advising that Candy Hewitt will represent the Municipality of thereby replacing Ron Coristine. Don welcomed Candy Hewitt to the Multi-Municipal Wind Turbine Working Group. 7.3 ADOPTION TO APPROVE THE INVOICE FROM COMMITTEE SECRETARY Seconded by: Steve Hammell To approve the Invoice dated June 12, 2013 for the amount of $1, for the months of March, April and Mayas submitted by the Committee Secretary Page4of5 July II/h. 2013

5 7.4 There was a discussion that Premier Kathleen Wynne is touring the province in her capacity both as Premier and as Minister of Agriculture. It was suggested that Premier Wynne should view the wind farn1s and talk to local people. Seconded by: Anne Louise Gibbons To have Keith Stelling write an invitation letter to Premier Kathleen Wynne inviting her to our area on any day she chooses to tour some of our wind farms and meet the people. 7.S Bill MacKenzie advised that Greg Schmalz from Saugeen Shores has located a device that measures infrasound called the Infiltec 20 which is approximately under $300 US ($ CDN) and that Port Elgin residents are now using 8 units to gather infrasound statistics concerning the CA W wind turbine. They will keep the group updated as to their findings. 7.6 Shawn Drennan distributed flyers for a Good Time Golf Tournament which is the SWEAR first annual fund raiser for legal action to be held on Friday, August 23, 2013 at 11 :00 a.m. at Woodlands Links Golf Course near Clinton. 8. DATE AND LOCATION OF NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING The next meeting date is scheduled for Thursday, August 8, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. at the Chesley Fire Hall, st Ave. N., Chesley. 9. ADJOURNMENT Moved by: Warren Howard Seconded by: Steve Hammell That the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Don Murray, Chair Teresa Gowan, Secretary PageS 0/5 July llth, 2013