The first wind power development to use the large 3-megawatt turbinesbegan 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)

You can also send your comments to a website managed by a volunteer who is tracking noise complaints: www.windvictimsontario.com

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 has successfully achieved a contract 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 is taking action and seeking legal counsel. If you wish to contact them check their website here.

Documents are now being prepared by developer EDP for submission for a Renewable Energy Approval (REA).

THE NATION TWP

There is also a 12-turbine project planned for La Nation, near the communities of St Bernardin, Casselman and St Isidore, by RES Canada. Documents are also being prepared for Renewable Energy Approva for this project, which is also contested by the community, and is not needed in Ontario.

For more information, please see community group Save The Nation/Sauvons La Nation here: http://www.sauvonslanation.ca/english.html (French available)

Key points:

• There has never been a cost-benefit analysis done for wind power and its effect on the economy, the natural environment, and on our communities.
• Wind power does not benefit the environment: it needs backup from natural gas, which means more greenhouse gases, not less. It is also high impact die to construction and access roads, and harms wildlife.
• Wind power CANNOT replace nuclear or anything else–it is intermittent.
• There is a cap on the property tax assessment for wind turbines ($40,000 per megawatt) which means the municipality will receive less  in property tax revenues for a huge power project than it would for a few dozen houses.
• Ontario is supplied 85% by emissions-free hydro and nuclear power.
• Wind power is backed up by natural gas, which does create GHG emissions.
• The wind first policy to the grid means MILLIONS of dollars of power (Ontario has a surplus) is being wasted. Or sold off cheap to the United States