Ask yourself these questions about wind power:

1. Will it cost less to produce energy using wind power rather than our current methods?

2. Could lake bed disruption during or post construction affect the quality and safety of our drinking water?

3. Will sand shifting and scouring caused by the turbine columns affect Pigeon Bay and Point Pelee?

4. Will wind turbines in Pigeon Bay increase the quantity of perch and pickerel for fishing?

5. Could a person’s health be affected by wind turbines?

6. Will bird migration, including species at risk, be adversely affected by wind turbines?

7. Will wind turbines reduce Ontario’s overall carbon emissions by eliminating coal fired plants?

8. Will nearby industrial wind turbines increase property values?

1. Electricity produced by wind turbines will cost residents 13.5¢ per kWh [i] versus our current cost of 5.6¢. [i] This does not include the subsidies provided to wind power companies paid for by Ontario tax payers.

2. This project has the potential to affect the Union Water System intake during and after construction due to the placement of deep foundations required in the lakebed and porous limestone bedrock. The release of pollutants and sulphur water could adversely affect the quality and safety of our drinking water. [ii]

3. Any obstruction in the Bay may cause an alteration of water current speeds and redirect normal sand deposits. [iii] This may impact the depth of water, and the shorelines, throughout Pigeon Bay, including Point Pelee.

4. The Commercial Fishing Industry has stated that wind turbines placed in the water will adversely affect the growth, maturity and abundance of perch and pickerel in Pigeon Bay, and the rest of Lake Erie. [iv]

5. Thirty-two (32) municipalities in Ontario have now signed moratoriums against any further wind farm development until a complete and independent peer-reviewed health study has been completed. [v] A growing body of medical evidence suggests that the health effects on those subjected to long and frequent periods of pulsating, low-frequency noise associated with wind turbines include sleep disturbances, depression, chronic stress, migraines, nausea and dizziness, exhaustion and anger, memory loss and cognitive difficulties. [vi] Noise from wind turbines at night can disturb residents more than 2 km away. Further, noise is amplified three times over water. Dr. McMurtry, former Dean of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, asks “Why should the bar be set so low for Industrial Wind Turbines where so many side effects are deemed unimportant?”

6. The Mississippi and Atlantic flyways converge directly in Pigeon Bay bringing in large numbers of different species that depend on the Bay for rest and feeding during migration. Many bird species (including species at risk) nest in this area. Most of these birds fly at night and contact, with the rotating blades, would result in injury and/or death.

7. European countries (primarily Denmark and Germany) that are generating 19% of their electricity with wind turbines, have yet to close a single fossil fuel plant. Their experience indicates that 50% more coal generated electricity is required to cover wind powers unpredictability, resulting in a 36% increase in carbon emissions in 2006 alone. [vii]

8. A three year study of 600 property sales near the Melanton Wind Turbine Developments north of Shelburne, Ontario, found that property values decreased by 20 – 25% and were on the market more than twice as long as properties in adjacent areas. Further, many properties could not be sold at any price. [viii]

Don’t take our word for it. Start asking some hard questions about the impact of wind turbines on your family, your business and your community.

References

[i] Ontario Power Authority

[ii] John Kehoe, Manager, Union Water System

[iii] Baird- Colchester to Southeast Shoal Littoral Cell Study 2008/3/17

[iv] Peter Meisenheimer, Biologist, Ontario Commercial Fisheries’Association

[v] WindConcernsOntario

[vi] George W. Kamperman and Richard R. James Dearborn “Simple guidelines for siting wind turbines to prevent health risks”

[vii] David J. White, “Danish Wind: Too Good to be True?”

[viii] Chris Luxemburger, Director Brampton Real Estate Board “Living With the Impact of Windmills”

Email us with any questions or concerns at calewt@gmail.com