Over 130 people attended a meeting in Port Elgin Monday held by the Ministry of the Environment.
The goal was to make the public aware of how renewable energy projects will be approved and planned under the province’s new Green Energy Act.
Kevin Perry, Director of the Program Planning and Implementation Branch of the Ministry of the Environment’s Environmental Programs Division outlined how green energy projects will be implemented under the new law.
He says they’re using a template of issues related to site proposals that developers have to address before their application can be submitted to the ministry.
Perry says the meeting was an opportunity to get feedback from citizens, but they can also offer their comments through the Environmental Bill of Rights website, a toll-free phone number, or by mail.
He says the public will be included in the planning process for new green energy developments through two sets of consultations, public notices, and media advertising.
Those concerned about wind turbines already operating—or soon to be operating near their homes took the opportunity to share their views.
Bill Palmer, an engineer and activist questioned how the government is setting acceptable noise limits on wind turbines, and why the government hasn’t commissioned a study on possible health effects.
He says a study was done in the European Union, but asked if it said there was no need for one in Canada.
Palmer says the question went unanswered.
Sandy MacLeod of Wind Concerns Ontario, and a member of a group claiming to be suffering from turbine-induced health problems in the Ripley area says they’ve received replies to their letters from Premier Dalton McGuinty, but he isn’t planning to meet with them.
MacLeod says questions cannot be properly answered until the victims are listened to and the science work done regarding health issues.
Lorrie Gillis lives near a proposed windfarm in Grey Highlands.
She questions if ministry staff can be trusted to take residents concerns and comments back to politicians when requests to meet with the Premier and Ministers have been ignored.
Stephana Johnston drove to the Port Elgin meeting from her home near a windfarm along Lake Erie in the Long Point area.
Johnston says the turbines have affected her health and she often stays elsewhere to get relief.
Perry says the comments and concerns put forward at the Port Elgin meeting –and the others taking place across the province, will be reviewed.