Alliance to Protect Prince Edward County

POSITION STATEMENT – INDUSTRIAL WIND TURBINE DEVELOPMENT

appec — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 20:41:31 +0000

The Alliance to Protect Prince Edward County believes that any installation of industrial-scale wind-turbine complexes in Prince Edward County will be detrimental to its unique historical, agricultural, cultural and rural character. There are no locations within the County or in the near shore waters, where a wind turbine complex would not severely impact the health, environment, creative and rural economies and quality of life of its citizens.

APPEC is therefore opposed to the development of industrial wind projects in Prince Edward County.

APPEC believes that responsible and sustainable energy alternatives and conservation measures should be located and showcased within Prince Edward County. These initiatives would meet or exceed provincial policy goals and would improve the environment, economy, health and quality of life while at the same time preserving the character of the County.

March 2009

MISSION STATEMENT

appec — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:44:44 +0000

The Alliance to Protect Prince Edward County is committed to energy conservation and the development of responsible alternative forms of energy that preserve the unique historical, cultural, agricultural and rural character of the County and the natural beauty of its landscape.  The group promotes the awareness of the real impacts of industrial wind energy on our environment, economy and quality of life.  

FIVE KEY AREAS OF CONCERN

appec — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:56:01 +0000

APPEC: PROTECTING RURAL ONTARIO FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

1. HEALTH & SAFETY

Reassessment of government minimum noise guidelines : (rural acoustic environment level) Class 3
No less than 2km of distance between industrial wind power plants, industrial wind turbines and transformer stations and residences, hospitals, schools and communities in general.
Comprehensive, independent study of health complaints such as vibro-acoustic disease, light flicker, stray voltage, ice throw, noise radiation.
Comprehensive study of “Wind Turbine Syndrome”

2. INFORMATION & EXPLANATION

Inform public that wind will not replace standard forms of electricity generation but needs backup power from those standard forms
Inform about wind power limitations, inefficiency, intermittency and cost
Promote lower-impact alternatives ie. solar, geothermal, biomass, conservation
No exemption from Environmental Assessment Act for wind power plants above 2 MW installed capacity Bill 51
Demand transparency in developer-municipal government relations (Citizens oversight group)
Promote energy efficiency tax incentives for residential, commercial and institutional building owners

3. HERITAGE & CULTURE

Protect and preserve rural towns and villages, prime agricultural land, sensitive wetlands, designated wildlife areas,pristine shorelines and migratory bird paths from industrialized elements 400-500ft turbines, transformers, transmission towers, and wires and substations
Protect and preserve historic building and cultural heritage landscapes from ravages of construction phase.
Protect cherished views for residents, visitors and future generations
Protect lands from potential destruction of undiscovered artifacts by turbine installation process

4. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Exclude migratory bird paths areas from wind power plant development
Exclude wildlife habitats from wind power plant development infrastructure
Ban disruption of endangered wetlands through installation of wind project infrastructure
Protect non-industrialized shoreline from industrial wind power plants

5. SOCIO-ECONOMIC

Protect property values of residential, commercial, recreational and agricultural real estate