Category Archives: Project: Gilead Ostrander Point
Gilead Power’s Ostrander Point wind project in South Marysburgh
Day 33 of Ostrander Point — Testimony of Tracey Whitworth and Richard Copple
Report on May 23rd ERT Hearing on Human Health Appeal
by Henri Garand, Chair, APPEC
The Environmental Review Tribunal heard the testimony of APPEC witnesses Tracey Whitworth and Richard Copple.
Day 32 of Ostrander Point — Testimony of Ed Kenney, Wolfe Island
Report on May 22nd ERT Hearing on Human Health Appeal
by Paula Peel, APPEC
APPEC witness Stephana Johnston completed her testimony of the day before. The Environmental Review Tribunal heard the full testimony of APPEC witness Ed Kenney.
APPEC fundraising is more than halfway to its $125K target
[Article written by Henri Garand, Chair, APPEC]
The APPEC Legal Fund has received contributions for more than half the anticipated costs of the health appeal to the Environmental Review Tribunal. It now stands at slightly over $62,500.
Funding has come from 202 donors as well as the proceeds from CCSAGE’s May 11th Yard Sale. Donations, ranging from $20 to $5,000, indicate that supporters are giving what they can afford to help ensure the appeal’s success.
That likely success rises with each new witness at the ERT who testifies to the harms caused by wind power development. Besides suffering a variety of debilitating health effects, witnesses have had their lives disrupted and futures changed by installation of wind turbines near their homes. These are just a sampling of the rural Ontarians who have reported health problems and/or who have moved to escape.
The strength of the testimony heard by the ERT rests on both the individual stories and their similarities despite people’s different ages, backgrounds, and pre-existing medical conditions. What all the witnesses have in common is residence near wind turbines and the onset of symptoms upon operational start up. Their experience would apply not just to Ostrander Point but to the proposed White Pines project.
Although funding for the ERT appeal has met current costs, it’s going to take at least 200 more donors to reach the goal of $125,000. There are only 44 more days before the ERT’s deadline for a ruling.
If you haven’t already contributed, the time to help is now. Costs increase with each day of the hearing.
Donations may be made through PayPal at www.appec.ca. But to avoid PayPal transactions fees, send cheques to APPEC Legal Fund, P.O. Box 173, Milford, Ontario K0K 2P0.
Please help to protect the County from the tragedy taking place elsewhere.
Day 30 of Ostrander Point — Testimony of Nicole Horton
Report on May 17th ERT Hearing on Health Appeal
by Henri Garand, Chair, APPEC
The Environmental Review Tribunal heard the testimony of Nicole Horton, whose family resides near the Kruger wind project. The hearing concluded with arguments on the admissibility of medical records as evidence.
Day 29 of Ostrander Point — Testimony of Helen Fraser and Karen Hatchard
APPEC Report on May 16th ERT Hearing on Health Appeal
by Paula Peel, APPEC
The Environmental Review Tribunal heard the testimony of Helen Fraser, who used to live near the Melancthon project, and of a pre-turbine witness, County resident Dr. Karen Hatchard.
Day 28 of Ostrander Point — Testimony of Lisa Michaud
[Following is testimony by Lisa Michaud. In January 2013, CCSAGE posted an interview with Ms. Michaud that is worth watching. See the link in paragraph 2 at http://tinyurl.com/brqst5y .]
Report on May 15th ERT Hearing on Health Appeal
by Henri Garand, Chair, APPEC
The Environmental Review Tribunal heard the testimony of Lisa Michaud, whose family resides near the Kent-Breeze wind project, the subject of the 2011 Chatham-Kent ERT appeal.
Day 27 of Ostrander Point — Testimony of Monica Elmes and Mike Davey
[The ERT appeal continues in Toronto on Thu May 16 and Fri May 17 at 655 Bay Street, 16th floor, Room 16-3, starting at 10:00. To listen in, dial 1-866-633-0848 and enter the conference ID which is 8 3 8 2 9 1 2 # .
The tentative schedule for May 16 has wind victims Stephana Johnston, Helen Fraser, and Edward Kenney (Wolfe Island) in the morning, and expert witness Dr. Robert Thorne in the afternoon. On May 17, victims Tracey Whitworth, Nikki Horton, and Douglas Desmond will testify.]
Report on May 14th ERT Hearing on Health Appeal
by Henri Garand, Chair, APPEC
The Environmental Review Tribunal heard the continuing testimony of Monica Elmes and the full testimony of Mike Davey, both APPEC witnesses.
ERT continues — PECFN continues fund raising; Celebrates award
[Here is a media release from PECFN, the Appellant regarding the natural environment in the Ostrander Point ERT appeal.]
Media release
ERT continues — PECFN continues fund raising; Celebrates award
For immediate release
Contact: Cheryl Anderson, 613-471-1096
cherylanderson23@sympatico.ca
May 14, 2013
After two months of hearings on the environmental effects of wind turbines construction at Ostrander Point, the emphasis now is shifting to effects on human health. “It is amazing to me”, says PECFN president Myrna Wood, “how many people have stayed with us through these past two months”. Day after day people would turn out to sit in the uncomfortable chairs at Demorestville Town Hall. Some of the legal wrangling was almost unintelligible to the layman, but the testimony of our expert witnesses was riveting. Expert after expert testified about potential damage to the sensitive alvar and wetlands, the danger to migrating birds, bats, butterflies and endangered species. Deficiencies in the proponent’s environmental impact statements were highlighted and MNR officials were exposed as poorly qualified for the requirements of their positions.
The final summing up of the PECFN case will be heard on June 7. Until that time the small local group will concentrate on raising funds. “We are so grateful to the people of Prince Edward County who have supported us to the tune of more than $50,000” Woods commented. “Unfortunately, our legal bills are over twice that amount and so we need to find other people as committed to saving Ostrander Point as we are.”
In other news this week, PECFN is honored to be notified as recipients of the W.E. Saunders Natural History Award from Ontario Nature. In the past the awards have never been announced in advance of the Ontario Nature AGM; however,an exception has been allowed for PECFN due to the importance of the issue and the need for additional funding. PECFN was nominated by Kingston Field Naturalists and Quinte Field Naturalists – two groups that have joined in the fight to save Ostrander Point. The nomination citation reads in part:
“Appealing against the Ostrander Point approval is a David versus Goliath task! The difficulty is immense, but the significance is enormous. – If wind turbines cannot be stopped at Ostrander Point in the heart of an IBA, they are unlikely to be stopped on environmental grounds anywhere in Ontario.
“The leadership qualities demonstrated by the PECFN are amazing. In the face of a giant, this dedicated group analyzes the issues and formulates well organized plans to move forward, always communicating well, and recruiting many skilled people to support its cause. PECFN’s campaign has educated many people about the value of caring for our natural environment. They are truly environmental heroes!”
PECFN is grateful for this recognition and pledges to continue the fight – after all, David won!
http://www.SaveOstranderPoint.org
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[Donations to PECFN can be made on the CCSAGE website -- see the right side of any page.]
