This is a short recap of what has transpired today regarding the renewable energy proposals under the Green Energy Act. 

                                                                                              

• The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) announced approval of 184 large scale renewable energy projects (out of 930 applications) for a total of 2,500 mw of electricity.

 

Please see details on the following link:   http://www.premier.gov.on.ca   Go to “News” and click on “Ontario Becoming North American Green Energy Leader – April 8, 2010” Then, at the bottom of the page under “Related Links” click on  ”See the complete list of green energy projects” Go to – 2010 Program Updates Then, go to – April 8, 2010 – Program Update

 

 

 

 

 

 

• These approved projects must obtain all required permits (MOE, MNR, etc.) and be operational by the end of 2014.  These projects will allow the closure of the coal-fired electrical generation plants and theoretically maintain the current electrical grid at capacity.

 

• SouthPoint Wind (SPW) was not granted a contract by OPA for any of their proposals.  (Phase 1 of 15 – Phase II of 700).

 

• However, only the original fifteen (5 at each of 3 sites in Pigeon Bay or Phase I) are identified on a list of “potential” projects, along with several hundred other projects from other areas across the Province. 

 

• This “potential” list of projects (including SPW’s 3 Pigeon Bay sites) will now be put through an “Economic Connection Test” (ECT).  This test will identify transmission or distribution system expansion projects that would be required to support additional projects.  They must meet certain economic requirements before they would be considered for approval.  Simply put, the electrical grid in our region would have to be expanded for additional capacity before more projects could be added, OR one of the 184 approved projects fails to come on-line for whatever reason. 

 

• Bottom line – there still may be an opportunity for SPW or some other proponent to go forward with an application for turbines placed in Pigeon Bay sometime in the future.

 

• The Good News:     CALEWT’s efforts to place this issue before the public

 resulted in a huge ground swell response from our

supporters.  The decision makers in Toronto must have

heard our concerns.

• The Bad News:       SPW have not stated that they are going to withdraw their

                                    application, nor has our Provincial Government put a

 moratorium on Pigeon Bay.

 

• The Steering Committee, therefore, feels strongly that our fight is not over!!  We must continue to work hard on the strategy which was shared with you back in February.

 

• In summary, we have the support of all Municipalities, County Council, ERCA, our MPP’s and MP’s.  In particular, Bruce Crozier and Pat Hoy have been highly instrumental in championing our cause at Queen’s Park. 

 

• The CALEWT Steering Committee have been successful in getting Municipal financial support towards ERCA heading up a scientific review, which will hopefully prove “Why Industrial Wind Turbines should not be placed in Pigeon Bay”.

 

• The Federal Government is clearly on our side.

 

• In addition, we have retained an excellent Environmental Legal Firm who is prepared to represent CALEWT should we ever have to take this issue to the courts.

 

• The Community Awareness Team has been selling signs at $25 each to raise funds for our legal costs.  They have done an outstanding job and are to be commended for their hard work.  We need to sell more signs and get the message out – NO WIND TURBINES IN OUR LAKE!

 

• CALEWT has been extremely effective at ensuring that these proposals have not been successful to date.  It should be noted, the Steering Committee has worked a tremendous number of hours.  They have also made significant personal financial contributions towards our cause.  They should be congratulated for their outstanding efforts and success to date.

 

A general CALEWT meeting is scheduled for April 22^nd at the Lakeside Pavilion at 7:00 p.m.  We will provide ample time for comments/questions.  Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. 

 

It has been an extremely busy week.  We will keep you updated if anything significant happens before the 22^nd.  Thank you for your continued support.

 Jim Krushelniski     

Chair, CALEWT Steering Committee