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Tag Archives: Eric K Gillespie

North Stormont community fight for environment begins Monday

22 Sunday Jul 2018

Posted by ottawawindconcerns in Health, Ottawa, Renewable energy, Wind power

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

EDP Renewables, environment and energy, Environmental Review Tribunal, Eric K Gillespie, ERT, Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks, renewable energy, William Palmer, Wind Concerns Ontario, wind farm, wind power

Citizens of North Stormont are preparing for their appeal of the 100-megawatt wind power project, which begins Monday in Finch before the Environmental Review Tribunal

Wind turbine near Brinston, south of Ottawa: citizen reports of noise from industrial wind turbines are unresolved in Ontario [Photo: Ray Pilon]

July 22, 2018

In a bizarre fight which sees ordinary citizens marshalling scarce after-tax dollars to fight the Ontario government’s environment ministry to try to protect the environment (and safety and health), the Concerned Citizens of North Stormont begins its appeal of the 100-megawatt “Nation Rise” wind power project tomorrow, July 23rd.

The appeal goes before the quasi-judicial Environmental Review Tribunal, a panel that is part of the Environment and Lands Tribunals (ELTO) of Ontario.

Almost every single wind power project in Ontario has been appealed, but there have been few victories in a system apparently set up to favour the power developers. Most successful appeals were won on blatant risks to wildlife and the environment, and one on aviation safety (the completely insane Fairview Wind project, planned between two airports near Collingwood).

Despite decisions that note the pain suffered by people forced to live inside wind power projects, the Tribunal has refused to consider any risk to health from the huge industrial-scale wind turbines, that do emit a range of noise.*

The power developer, Portugal-based EDP, is represented by John Terry of international law firm Torys LLP; Mr Terry has also represented the wind industry lobbyist and trade association, CanWEA, in the past. The new environment ministry, now the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks or MECP, will also be represented by a team of lawyers.

The citizens’ group will be represented by lawyers from the environmental law firm of Eric K. Gillespie.

Risks to environment, safety and health

The community concerns filed with the Notice of Appeal include the danger to the area water supply (most of the project is on a “highly vulnerable” aquifer), safety from turbine operations, and health impacts from the noise from the industrial-scale wind power generators/turbines.

Tomorrow’s appearance will consist of Opening Statements, and a series of presenters including mechanical engineer Vern Martin, who will discuss safety concerns posed by the wind turbines and blades.

Tuesday, the themes are noise and health, and public safety, with Wind Concerns Ontario president Jane Wilson presenting data on the thousands of noise complaints lodged with the Ontario government which have not been resolved. Engineer William Palmer will present information on turbine events in Ontario related to debris and ice throw from the turbine blades.

Thursday will see appellant presenters discussing the risk to the aquifer and local water wells, posed by the foundation construction and wind turbine vibration.

The proceedings will take place in the Finch Community Centre and Arena, beginning at 9 a.m., and are open to the public.

Fund-raising for the citizen effort to protect the community is ongoing, please see the Go Fund Me link, here.

contact@windconcernsontario.ca

  • From the report on wind turbine noise by the Council of Canadian Academies, 2015: “Wind turbines are a particularly complex and distinctive source of sound, which can span a wide range of frequencies including low-frequency tones. …The evidence shows a positive relationship between outdoor wind turbine noise levels and the proportion of people who report high levels of annoyance. (“Annoyance” is employed here as a medical term denoting stress or distress. Annoyance is listed by the World Health Organization as an adverse health effect.)

Wind farm fight in Ontario 2014: no giving up

31 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by ottawawindconcerns in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Algoma, Blanding's Turtle, Drennan case, Environmental and Lands Review Tribunal, Eric K Gillespie, Julian Falconer, legal actions wind farms, Northland Power, Not a Willing host, Ontario, Ontario government, prince Edward County, Rebecca Thompson, Sun News, Wind Concerns Ontario, wind farm appeals, wind farm lawsuits, wind farm property values

From Wind Concerns Ontario

Ontario wind farms in 2014: a look back

A spokesperson for Northland Power, whose Grand Bend wind power project can now proceed following decision in an appeal, told a London Free Pressreporter that “One would think the people opposed would lose their appetite for this fight, but they haven’t yet.”

Indeed not. And 2015 will be more of the same as almost every wind power project in Ontario has been appealed, and several are headed for judicial review. Plus, countless private individuals have lodged or plan to take legal actions related to noise nuisance and property value loss.

The truth will stand, eventually.

Here’s a look back in pictures at the year that was.

Parker Gallant (R) on the Dale Goldhawk consumer radio show for one hour on the $16-million Christmas Day power giveaway in Ontario. Wind Concerns Ontario documented the millions lost over 2014 through Ontario's mismanaged energy sector
Parker Gallant (R) on the Dale Goldhawk consumer radio show for one hour on the $16-million Christmas Day power giveaway in Ontario. Wind Concerns Ontario documented the millions lost over 2014 through Ontario’s mismanaged energy sector
Julian Falconer represented four families in a legal challenge; while many points about the appeal process were made, the appeal was lost
Julian Falconer represented four families in a legal challenge; while many points about the appeal process were made, the appeal was lost
Lawyer Eric Gillespie continues to represent Ontario communities and appeals against wind power projects; more to come
Lawyer Eric Gillespie continues to represent Ontario communities and appeals against wind power projects; more to come
Auditor General Lysyk becomes the 2nd A G in a row to lambaste the Ontario government for its incompetence in the energy file, and wasted money on green energy
Auditor General Lysyk becomes the 2nd A G in a row to lambaste the Ontario government for its incompetence in the energy file, and wasted money on green energy
Transport Canada bends to pressure from Big Wind and rescinds order to remove Chatham-Kent wind turbines for safety. (2015 is an election year!)
Transport Canada bends to pressure from Big Wind and rescinds order to remove Chatham-Kent wind turbines for safety. (2015 is an election year!)
Invenergy pulls out of Listowel-area wind project
Invenergy pulls out of Listowel-area wind project
Health Canada releases non-peer-reviewed summary of noise and health study; shows that 16.5% of people within 1 km of turbines experience distress. Media misses this. (2015 is an election year!)
Health Canada releases non-peer-reviewed summary of noise and health study; shows that 16.5% of people within 1 km of turbines experience distress. Media misses this. (2015 is an election year!)
Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli tries to explain that Ontario's electricity bill increases are insignificant, thereby demonstrating his opinion of the intelligence of Ontario citizens
Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli tries to explain that Ontario’s electricity bill increases are insignificant, thereby demonstrating his opinion of the intelligence of Ontario citizens
Two wind power projecst approved for Ontario's world-famous Algoma region, showing the Ontario government has no regard for the environment, whatsoever
Two wind power projects are approved for Ontario’s world-famous Algoma region, showing the Ontario government has no regard for the environment, whatsoever
None so blind as those who will not see. Or listen. Toronto-based Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne ignores rural and small-town communities. New procurement process for large-scale power projects still does not allow municipalities to say "No" to Big Wind.
None so blind as those who will not see. Or listen. Toronto-based Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne ignores rural and small-town communities. New procurement process for large-scale power projects still does not allow municipalities to say “No” to Big Wind.
Rallies and protests continue throughout the province; this one to Save the Nor'Westers
Rallies and protests continue throughout the province; this one to Save the Nor’Westers
Dr Robert McMurtry, officer of the Order of Canada, publishes a case definition for adverse health effects associated with wind turbine noise, with health researcher Carmen Krogh
Dr Robert McMurtry, officer of the Order of Canada, publishes a case definition for adverse health effects associated with wind turbine noise, with health researcher Carmen Krogh
87 communities have now passed Not A Willing Host resolutions
87 communities have now passed Not A Willing Host resolutions
Fund-raising events occur throughout the province: here Stephana Johnston attends a supper for SWEAR and the Drennan case
Fund-raising events occur throughout the province: here Stephana Johnston attends a supper for SWEAR and the Drennan case
One of Tim Hudak's election promises was to end the Green Energy Act and enact new regulations; the PCs lose the election for various reasons, disappointing rural/small-town Ontario
One of Tim Hudak’s election promises was to end the Green Energy Act and enact new regulations; the PCs lose the election for various reasons, disappointing rural/small-town Ontario. The Liberals win a majority and vow to continue their (money-losing) green energy policies.
Sun Media's Down Wind doc film with Rebecca Thompson attracts $30,000 in crowd-funding in days
Sun Media’s Down Wind doc film with Rebecca Thompson attracts $30,000 in crowd-funding in days
The Blandings Turtle is in and out of court as Prince Edward County citizens fight the Ontario Ministry of the Environment to save the environment. CanWEA lawyer announces in Toronto court that no appeal was ever supposed to be successful, and the Environmental Review Tribunal needs "direction" so a successful appeal never happens again.
The Blandings Turtle is in and out of court as Prince Edward County citizens fight the Ontario Ministry of the Environment to save the environment. CanWEA lawyer announces in Toronto court that no appeal was ever supposed to be successful, and the Environmental Review Tribunal needs “direction” so a successful appeal never happens again.
Drs Ian Arra and Hazel Lynn publish a review that says there is evidence of an association between wind turbine noise and distress
Drs Ian Arra and Hazel Lynn publish a review that says there is evidence of an association between wind turbine noise and distress
After taking on Big Wind for years and NextEra in specific, members of the members of the Wrightman family of Middlesex-Lambton decamp to Nova Scotia (but continue to fight)
After taking on Big Wind for years and NextEra in specific,  members of the Wrightman family of Middlesex-Lambton decamp to Nova Scotia (but continue to fight)
Big Wind continues its indoctrination of schoolchildren with support of the Ontario government. In this case, distribution of the T-shirts was halted when parents complained
Big Wind continues its indoctrination of schoolchildren with support of the Ontario government. In this case, distribution of the T-shirts was halted when parents complained
Ontario communities fight against the Big Wind "scam": wind power cannot deliver on its promises of reducing GHGs, creating jobs, protecting the environment
Ontario communities fight against the Big Wind “scam”: wind power cannot deliver on its promises of reducing GHGs, creating jobs, protecting the environment

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