Hydro One is about to start work on Ostrander Point transmission line

Not content to wait for REA approval of the Ostrander Point project, or even the EBR deadline for public comments, Gilead Power and Hydro One decided this past week to start work immediately on the transmission line to the Milford substation.

The 13-km transmission line, held up by 60- or 80-foot poles, will run along Helmer Road (through wetlands) and up Maypul Layn Road (mature trees to be cut down) to the substation at Johnson Road and County Road 10.  Construction of the line will commence within the next ten days.

Hydro One is a law unto itself, requiring no permissions or permits from the County.  In fact, it has not even notified the County of its plans.

Why now?  It’s anyone’s guess.  Gilead has previously stated that it doesn’t intend to begin construction of turbines until October, 2012 or commence commercial operations until April, 2013.  So why is Hydro One starting construction now? Could it be that “the fix is in”, and the REA approval process is just a sham?  Enquiring minds want to know.

CountyLive poll results: a resounding NO to wind turbines in PEC

Last week, CountyLive sponsored a poll on the wind turbine issue, the first by a non-partisan County organization.

The question: Wind turbines in Prince Edward County?  Here’s how the 1501 votes were distributed:

• 76% (1136 votes) said NO — wind turbines should NOT be part of PEC.
• 16% (247) said YES — wind turbines should BE part of PEC.
• 8% (118) said MAYBE — with research on health, location and long term issues.

These results clearly show strong opposition to wind turbines in PEC.  And NO means no: very few respondents wanted more research before deciding.  Of the decided respondents (i.e. excluding MAYBEs), 82% voted NO.

One minute of your time to save the Blanding’s turtle at Ostrander Point

Please take a minute (or two) to make your views known to MNR, MOE and Premier McGuinty re the Turtles vs Turbines Turf War at Ostrander Point.  Your comment may be the one that turns the turbine tide.

We have set up a form to make it easy for you to comment at www.savetheblandingsturtle.com .  Thanks for your help.

Timeout: Forget wind turbines for a moment, and watch this..

MPP Todd Smith’s Feb 2 town hall was a big success

Cumulative impact of wind turbines -- Prince Edward County to Wolfe Island

More than 300 County residents filled St. Andrews Church to overflowing on February 2 to participate in MPP Todd Smith’s town hall on wind energy in Prince Edward County.

There were a number of presentations, the major theme being the natural environment of the County’s South Shore and the shoreline and waters east of the County over to Wolfe Island..  Particular attention was given to the damage that would be caused by Gilead Power’s Ostrander Point project.  Other topics addressed included human health, property values and natural justice.

Point to Point PEC Foundation made a short but intriguing presentation on extending the St. Lawrence Islands National Park to include the South Shore and adjacent marine area.  Nipissing MP and PC Energy Critic Vic Fedeli spoke on the implications of the McGuinty government’s renewable energy policy.

Pro-County vs pro-wind

In a CountyLive poll on wind turbines in PEC, County residents have made their views known in no uncertain terms.

As of Jan 31, 11 pm there had been 818 votes recorded, all within one day:

• 80% voted NO – wind turbines should not be part of PEC.
• 13% voted YES – wind turbines should be part of PEC.
• 7% voted MAYBE – with research on health, location and long term issues.

Six NO votes for every YES vote.  Six Pro-County votes for every pro-wind vote.

Of decided voters (i.e. excluding maybes), 86% voted NO.

There can be no doubt about the position of County residents:  No wind turbines in Prince Edward County.

The poll remains open — please add your vote at www.countylive.ca .

OFA poll backs up OFA’s call for a moratorium on new wind projects

Following the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s call for a moratorium on new wind projects pending resolution of a number of major issues, the OFA opened a poll on its website to gauge reaction.

The poll was open to OFA members and non-members alike for  9 or 10 days, during which time more than 1700 votes were recorded.

The result: 70% in favour of a moratorium, 30% opposed.

As reported earlier, there is another poll asking about wind turbines for PEC at http://www.countylive.ca.

Opportunity to vote on wind turbines in PEC

Here’s your chance to VOTE on industrial wind development in the County.

A local news website is conducting a poll on the question “Wind Turbines in Prince Edward County?” There are three choices:

• NO, wind turbines should NOT be part of PEC
• MAYBE, with research on health, location and long-term issues.
• YES, wind turbines should BE part of PEC.

Please cast your vote at http://www.countylive.ca.  The poll is located on the right-hand side of the webpage.

Note: Only one vote is allowed per Internet connection.  Please encourage friends and neighbours to vote as well.