The first wind power development to use the large 3-megawatt turbines began operation in March 2014, about 40 minutes south of Ottawa at Brinston, in South Dundas. There will be more power projects using these higher capacity turbines.

The project began operation in mid-March 2014 and apparently, the first official noise complaint was made within two weeks.

Despite provincial regulations, the South Branch project does not have a completed audit to demonstrate compliance with noise regulations — it should have one, and it should be posted publicly.

Brinston-area residents who are noticing any effects from the noise or vibration (infrasound) produced by the turbines should take the following steps:

CALL the Ministry of the Environment “Spills Line” at: 1-800-860-2760 When calling, note the weather conditions at the time, the nature of the noise/vibration/sensation you are experiencing, and any other details. Be sure to get the NAME of the person you speak to and the REFERENCE NUMBER for your report. Be polite at all times. You may wish to copy your MPP, your local Health Unit, and your municipal council.

KEEP A JOURNAL of all events.

DO NOT STOP CALLING

You may also call the wind power developer EDP Renewables at: (1-877-910-3377 ext 3)

As there is no citizens’ group presently in the South Branch area, we invite interested readers to contact Ottawa Wind Concerns at ottawawindconcerns@gmail.com or Wind Concerns Ontario at windconcerns@gmail.com

EDP Renewables, who manages the Brinston project, announced they intend to build more turbines in South Dundas, and in North Stormont.

NORTH STORMONT/ NORTH DUNDAS

EDP Renewables achieved a contract and Renewable Energy Approval for a 100-megawatt project, which could be 30 2.5-MW turbines, or more powerful (EDP’s documentation notes the turbines could be as much as 4 megawatt capacity). The Concerned Citizens of North Stormont took legal action and has appealed the approval, which came with multiple conditions.

Environment Minister Jeff Yurek revoked the Renewable Energy Approval on December 4, over concerns about the risk of harm to local bat populations, in the context of Ontario’s energy supply.

The community’s chief concerns were: integrity of the aquifer which serves as many as 10,000 wells; noise and vibration from the powerful wind turbines, which were not required by the former government to follow the most up-to-date noise assessment rules; and safety issues related to wind turbine failure, ice and debris “throw.”

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If you wish to contact the community group, check their website here.