Energy minister pledges millions for wind projects on First Nations

George Smitherman defends Ontario's focus on renewable power

as coal-plant phase-out expedited

Last Thursday, Minister Smitherman announced the launch of two programs that will help First Nations and Métis communities develop and participate in renewable energy projects.

The first, the Aboriginal Energy Partnerships Program, would allow First Nations and Métis communities apply for funding that can be used towards developing community energy plans, pre-feasibility studies, and business cases.

The second program, the Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program, which was first announced in the provincial government's 2009 budget, "will provide $250 million in loan guarantees that will allow FN communities to actually own renewable energy projects or a portion of them and to receive the economic dividends that go along with that," Minister Smitherman explained in a conversation with the Expositor. "This would apply to projects that we may have heard of before, but have not yet received a contract."

Projects being submitted for a contract under the Feed-in Tariff program would be eligible for either of these programs, including those slated for Manitoulin Island. Currently, projects are proposed for Wikwemikong and M'Chigeeng.

"It would be our hope that these resources would be of benefit to some of those proposals that we've been hearing about from First Nations communities on the Island," the minister said.

These announcements followed another statement made by Minister Smitherman on Thursday: Ontario Power Generation will close four coal-fuelled power units in 2010-two of eight units at the Nanticoke station near Simcoe, and two of the four units at Lambton station near Sarnia-four years earlier than the 2014 target. Together the plants generate 2,000 megawatts of power.

Despite the early closures, Minister Smitherman is confident that the province will be able to continue meeting its power needs, via other sources of energy, such as biomass and wind power.

"Energy reliability is in very, very good shape, and of course we would not move forward to close these coal units if we did not have complete confidence in our energy reliability," he said. "We have, in the last five years, brought 7,000 megawatts of new energy production to life in the province of Ontario. That's from renewable energy projects like wind projects, and also the development of very modern gas-fired power plants, which will be used in reserve and will be fired up as required to meet the important test of reliability."

"We're very, very confident that closing these units early is the right thing to do for the environment, and also because it will stimulate even more activity in the green energy sector, which we think offers good economic opportunity across Ontario," he added.

While the minister clearly sees the closing of coal-fired plants and the development of funding programs for wind energy projects as good news, he acknowledged the concerns of residents living near wind turbines.

When asked how the government responds to concerns expressed by Island residents with regard to the 43-turbine, 77-megawatt wind farm proposed for McLean's Mountain by Northland Power, the minister said that the province takes the health of its citizens very seriously.

"We do take concerns to note that people raise, and the Ministry of the Environment , especially, has taken a look at all of those studies they can get their hands on from around the world related to concerns that are generated from wind projects," Minister Smitherman said. "This is the kind of information that has influenced the nature of the setbacks. So I think that we're being very, very prudent and cautious-always with respect to human health-but in a place as large as Ontario, we do think that there are many, many economic opportunities and environmental benefits to be found in moving forward with green energy."

The minister, who has earned the nickname "Mr. Wind" following his receipt of the World Wind Energy Award for his work in promoting wind energy, said that the incidence of illness and death connected to coal-fired power generation is an "extraordinary human health risk," and that eliminating the plants from the Ontario grid is a "very big goal."

While the concerns of residents are important, he believes the government is finding a good balance between meeting the concerns of individuals and moving ahead with its green energy plan for Ontario, which is a priority.

"It is our intention to make renewable projects easier to bring to life in the province of Ontario, but associated with that will be guidance from the Ministry of the Environment, which makes it clear on things like the setbacks from a receptor to a wind tower," he said. "I could tell anyone that the model that we are developing will see those setbacks at a greater distance than what the municipalities have been approving across Ontario so far. So we think that we're headed in a very, very sensible direction."

The revamped Green Energy Act, which is slated to be released this fall, has received some criticism in its ability to override municipal powers when it comes to wind power generation projects. However, Minister Smitherman believes this is a good move, because it ensures that wind power projects are weighed by common criteria across the province, while alleviating municipalities of the responsibility for making those decisions.

"We have established universal standards for the province of Ontario," Minister Smitherman explained. "We've really uploaded those responsibilities from the backs of municipalities. Anyone that's a proponent for a local project has an obligation to have consultation at the local community level around that, but a substantial amount of the permitting associated with green energy projects will be uploaded to the province of Ontario and we will be applying universal standards to those to make sure that we have the same law being applied in all parts of the province of Ontario."

Using the analogy of smoking restrictions, the minister noted that, when smoking bylaws were first enacted, they varied depending on the jurisdiction and the type of establishment, creating inconsistency throughout the province. However, the new Smoke-Free Ontario Act changed that, and all establishments must now meet the same standards. "People asked for one, universally strong law that applied everywhere in Ontario, and that's the framework we've created with respect to green energy projects," he added.

Minister Smitherman said that last week's trio of announcements are three of what he calls "10 steps to green energy," and anticipates that within a few weeks, "proponents will have all the information they need to be able to start to bring projects forward."

Michigan pipeline, S. Ontario sprawl

cited as threats to Lake Huron water

by Jim Moodie

LAKE HURON-Between a recently approved pipeline to Flint, Michigan and the spectre of southern Ontario growth zones tapping into a Collingwood-Alliston line that draws from Georgian Bay, stewards of Lake Huron have plenty to be concerned about these days.

On August 31, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality approved a plan to flow 322 million litres of water per day to Genesee County, which includes the city of Flint, via a new pipeline that will be built between Lake Huron and this landlocked corner of the Wolverine State.

Meanwhile, the extension of a sewage pipe north of Toronto through the York Region, along with development plans for the Simcoe area, are causing alarm that urban sprawl will edge closer to Georgian Bay and result in a cross-watershed take of H20.

Mary Muter, Georgian Baykeeper through the Waterkeeper Alliance and a member of the cottager-based charity Georgian Bay Forever (GBF), has both developments on her radar, and neither one strikes her as boding well for the continent's second-largest lake.

In July, she communicated her concerns regarding the Michigan pipeline to state authorities, arguing that Genesee County's proposal for a new withdrawal from Huron "demonstrates a clear lack of respect for the mainly finite resource that is available in our Great Lakes."

Genesee County is already getting water from Lake Huron through an infamously leaky line maintained by Detroit, she noted, and that porous infrastructure-estimated to lose 20 percent of the water it pumps-should be patched up before any new pipeline is given a green light.

Furthermore, the proposal "fails to respect the spirit of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement signed in December 2005 by the eight Great Lakes states and Ontario and Quebec," she contended. This agreement, referred to more commonly as the Great Lakes Compact, is legally binding among the US states and places a cap on most diversions, as well as sets new standards for water conservation and environmental protection.

"We submitted our comments," she told the Expositor, "and basically got a response saying: 'Sorry, we're going ahead.'"

Genesee officials, who hope to begin construction of the $600-million pipeline this coming year, argue there will be no net loss to Lake Huron since the county was already drawing from this source via Detroit. Moreover, the withdrawal won't move water out of the Great Lakes basin; anything used will eventually flow back into the same system, they say.

Critics like Ms. Muter are far from reassured by such points, particularly since there is no guarantee that Detroit would cut back its usage in proportion to the amount of water Genesee will be getting through its alternative conduit. "If Michigan was sincere about adhering to the intent of the compact, they should be asking Detroit to reduce its withdrawal equal to the amount that Genesee is proposing to take," she said.

As well, she's alarmed that the Genesee plan overlooks the conservation measures stipulated in the Great Lakes agreement, which calls on jurisdictions to reduce water consumption by 10 percent. "Their permit is for double what the population and projected needs are," she said. "They're going in the opposite direction."

Great Lakes United, an environmental group spanning both sides of the Canada-US border, has also opposed the development, as has Sarnia mayor Mike Bradley, who told Sun Media that the controversial plan highlights the need for greater cross-border communication on water withdrawals. "This has clearly flagged the issue and it's been raised on an international level," he said.

Closer to home, Ms. Muter and other environmentalists are warily eyeing the northward extension of a York Region sewage pipe which empties into Lake Ontario, along with development strategies for Simcoe County, whose main waterbodies-including Lake Simcoe-drain into Georgian Bay via the Severn River. If water and waste move between southern Ontario and the Simcoe region, "they are crossing the hydrological divide," noted Ms. Muter.

The Georgian Baykeeper worries that urbanization of this swath of land between the GTA and cottage country is "a slippery slope," and the spread of development could easily result in demands for water from Lake Huron.

"Georgian Bay is seen as a clean, unlimited resource," she said. "If the sewage pipe is moving that far north I can also see it going west, and water being moved directly from Georgian Bay to southern Ontario."

There's an existing water pipe running from Collingwood to Alliston that is about two feet in diameter and has plenty of capacity remaining, according to the baykeeper. "There are a dozen Ts built into the Collingwood pipeline that aren't being used," said Ms. Muter. "I fear this will be used to start servicing more areas."

Intrabasin transfers-crossing the watershed of one Great Lake to another-are forbidden except in a few, strictly regulated exceptions, according to the terms of the Great Lakes Compact, Ms. Muter noted.

She's alarmed by the Michigan scheme to siphon water from Huron through a new pipeline, but is equally, if not more, concerned about Ontario's growth plans. "I don't think we should be pointing our fingers at the Americans if we ourselves aren't clean," she said.

Waiting lanes at bridge still stump drivers

Critics argue queue should fill and empty in opposite sequence

by Jim Moodie

LITTLE CURRENT-The new collector lanes at the swing bridge may have already helped to alleviate some congestion in town, but they have also sown confusion in the minds of many motorists.

While there are signs at the approach to the wider wait zone indicating that drivers should pull over into the second and third lanes "as needed"-in other words, as the first lane begins to fill up-some travellers feel these directions are vague and are leery of leaving the main route lest they get stuck in limbo, like a train shunted onto a siding.

While there is some validity to this concern-lane one will typically leave first, as the lights are activated by sensors in the pavement, with the first green light going to the lane that has a car reach this triggering device first-the reluctance to use the extra lanes can contradict the whole point of them, as drivers stubbornly sticking to the first track will block off access to the others and traffic will back up into town just as always.

Dave Williamson, CAO of the Northeast Town, recognizes that the setup has puzzled some drivers and could be improved, but maintains that "the light system works, as long as everyone follows the system." He emphasized that no-one leaving the Island should worry that they will be trapped behind a red light for long, regardless of which lane they are in.

"Where people get concerned is when they watch the first lane moving and are afraid they won't get through," he said. "But as soon as that lane goes, the second lane will go, and then the third. It won't switch over to other side (for traffic coming onto Manitoulin) until all three lanes are cleared."

An agreement exists with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO)-which contracts the operation of the bridge and also funded the collector lanes project through the province's Connecting Link program-that preference will always be given to traffic leaving the Island in the event of a bridge swing, said the CAO.

And while the lights operate on timers, staff on the bridge can override these preset intervals to make sure that the lights on the Little Current side stay green long enough to get all the cars over to Goat Island, Mr. Williamson added.

A potential annoyance, he admitted, is that "the first lane keeps going as long as traffic is flowing on it," meaning that someone who has dutifully pulled over into one of the extra lanes may have to sit there and watch as late-coming vehicles tag on to the chain of cars rolling off the Island first.

Another quirk that has perplexed some travellers is the light that is positioned above the lane for oncoming traffic, flashing a misleading green to those waiting on the Island side of the bridge. "It kind of looks like you should go in that lane," conceded Mr. Williamson.

The CAO contacted MTO officials for an explanation, and was told that "it's no different than a set of streetlights. The rationale," he said, "is that sometimes your view might be blocked if you are up close to a large vehicle, and this way you have an opportunity to see the light."

Some observers say the whole system is backwards, and that it would make more sense to prioritize the lanes in the opposite order-directing traffic to fill lane three first, then two, then one, and then empty them in that same order. "You have to give people an incentive to use them," pointed out one commentator.

This reverse sequence, say critics, would also remove the ironic scenario of vehicles in lane one backing up so much that access to the new lanes, supposedly there to prevent gridlock and congestion, is denied.

Mr. Williamson is inclined to share that view. While he's reluctant to criticize the MTO too much-"in all fairness," he pointed out, "they absorbed all of the costs of the design and construction for this"-he agreed that "it might make sense to reverse the order so lane three clears first. Common sense would suggest it's advantageous to do it the other way around."

If vehicles clog up the first lane to the point that "you can't get to two or three, that defeats the whole purpose," agreed the CAO. "If it goes 3-2-1, that would encourage people to fill the lanes."

While the same drill will likely remain in place until the season of bridge swings and heavy tourist traffic comes to a close, it's a suggestion that Mr. Williamson said he is planning to make to the MTO, with the potential that a different routine would be in place by next summer.

Meanwhile, however, he feels the hiccups in the system should not be overstated, and that it is workable in its current form. "I've tested it out a few times, and most of us aren't terribly concerned," he said. "Basically you just have to fill up your lane, wait for your light, and then go."

M'Chigeeng film institute launches Aboriginal youth program

Ribbon cut for Weengushk school

by Margo Little

M'CHIGEENG-"Miigwetch for being here to celebrate a dream," keynote speaker Dr. Shirley Cheechoo said to an audience of dignitaries, film buffs and community members on Sunday. The founder and president of Weengushk Film Institute (WFI) invited government representatives, institute staff, students and directors to celebrate the launch of an innovative Aboriginal Youth Program.

A select group of youth will complete a seven-month introductory program that offers instruction and hands-on experience in seven core aspects of filmmaking including screenwriting, producing, directing, cinematography, editing, composing and animation.

In an impassioned speech, Dr. Cheechoo appealed to all generations to work to help youth avoid the "welfare trap" and to support business ventures that forge a better future for First Nations youth.

"How many more of our people will have to fall into this trap that steals and butchers lives, dreams and hopes of our next generations to come?" she asked. "We must learn to defeat this system and fix the problem now and we must do it together."

In her address, she called upon the youth to act as role models and trailblazers for the next generation. "You are in control of your own destinies," she stressed. "Take this opportunity that is available to generate your own source of income."

She advised her protégés to put 100 percent of themselves into their creative projects in order to find happiness and a rewarding life. "I have learned over my career the only way I achieve my goals is to work hard and invest in myself because no-one else will," she suggested.

In her view, facilities such as WFI can play a key role in turning the economic crisis around in First Nations communities. "Real courage and actions are necessary for a brighter future for your children," she told her listeners. "And the next generation that will follow in your footsteps. We are all here on this earth to make our mark, so I say to you, never, never say you can't do it."

She reminded the students to ask for help and to seek out mentors on their journey. Looking back over her own personal growth, she remembers that Tom Peltier, founder of the Manitou Arts Foundation, was an important influence in her life.

"He was my rock and my dearest friend," she recalled. "He believed in me and I trusted him to give the perfect advice at the perfect time. He always knew what to say. He never pushed; he always encouraged me to take my own lead, to believe in myself, to trust in my abilities. I can say without a doubt that I wouldn't have had the creative life I live if Tom had not touched my life."

In closing, she urged the students to practise mutual respect and to reach out to mentors when they need assistance.

Several dignitaries were on hand on September 6 to celebrate the opening of the new film-training centre. Dr. Leland Bell, vice-president of WFI, presented an opening prayer and performed a smudging ceremony in the new facility.

M'Chigeeng band Councillor Brian Bisson noted that "it's awesome that we are having the school opening up here. I see some great opportunities for our youth here. It will be an avenue for them to express themselves."

Patrick Madahbee, grand chief of the Union of Ontario Indians, was equally impressed. "This is a great dream," he said in congratulatory remarks. "The world would be a dull place indeed without all the artisans and craftspeople. This school will be fantastic for our youth, for our economy, and for M'Chigeeng."

Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes complimented the community for always seeking ways to look after the future of their children. "I cut short my visit to the Highway 11 corridor in order to be here and to be part of this historical moment," she said. "I think that it is just amazing that we will have a film institute here on the Island, a made-on-Manitoulin and a made-in-Canada product."

Algoma-Manitoulin MP Mike Brown described Dr. Cheechoo as a "driving force behind many of the cultural events on the Island." He praised her for taking the First Nations stories of Manitoulin to the world and for helping to lead students in positive directions.

Marilyn Gray, WFI executive director, emphasized that the intent of Weengushk is to circumvent the hurdles that First Nations youth and persons of diversity often face in career building. "It's about opening the door and bypassing the no's," she said. "Our ultimate goal is to inspire and give confidence to our young minds and to promote the telling of their stories not only within Canada but crossing international borders."

WFI director of development Peter Mara thanked Dr. Cheechoo for the vision, commitment and dedication it took to bring the school to reality. He also paid tribute to her ability to tell stories in ways that lead to healing, clarity, justice and inspiration.

Ribbon- and cake-cutting ceremonies were held to mark the launch of the Aboriginal Youth Program assisted by newly minted youth director Shannon Smith.

With the induction of the first class of students, WFI will embark on a capital fundraising campaign in the near future in an effort to finance the next phases of the project. The goal is to establish a permanent home for WFI and to expand future programs.

EDITORIAL
Hughes's party_has power to postpone fall election

Mercifully, summer passed without the annoying buzzing distraction of a general election to confound our leisurely repose. Ordinary Canadians made it clear that they did not want the few lazy, hazy days that came our way this summer spent listening to political pundits and politicos clamouring for attention. Unfortunately, as summer fades fast into fall, the prospect of a fall general election looks nigh unto inevitable.

It takes two to tango in our current minority government, and Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff made it clear in Sudbury this past week that there is no longer any room on his dance card for a government he characterizes as being a boorish and uncompromising suitor.

In an amazing whirl of political doublethink, the other opposition parties, as well as the ruling Conservatives, have been quick to lay the sole blame for this turn of events at the doorstop of Mr. Ignatieff and his party. Canadians do not want an election they point out-Canadians want the Liberals to make government work. Yet there are two other opposition parties in the House of Commons, only one of which needs to side with the Conservatives in order to overrule Mr. Ignatieff's decision to bring down the government. The support of only one opposition party out of three is needed in order to make the current government work.

Carol Hughes, the member of parliament for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, has insisted that the Liberals have propped up the Conservative government 79 times since the last election-in a government not yet a year past its debut. The NDP has insisted that the government be made to fall on each of those 79 occasions, and Ms. Hughes has repeatedly castigated her political opponents for not following her party's lead. Yet now her argument is that the perfidious Liberal leader is forcing yet another unwanted jig upon us.

It is time that the NDP prove they are a party capable of making government work. The Bloc has a vested interest in proving that Canada is ungovernable, and Mr. Duceppe has made it clear that his party will only support the government if there is something in it for his province. Only the NDP, in concert with the ruling Conservatives, can now ensure that we do not face a fall election. The time for demagogy is past-the jig is up.

Ms. Hughes and her party must find a way to step out of the corner into which they have painted themselves in order that they may join in the waltz of peace, order and good government. Canadians will judge them on how well they can twirl in the balance of power-and how well the glass slippers of power now fit.

Letters to the Editor

Underwater turbines suggested as alternative to wind towers

Energy derived from channel current would preserve natural beauty

To the Expositor:

I couldn't help but notice all the debate over the windmills this summer when our family was at our camp. And rightly so. Many people visit this Island simply because it is void of almost all of the metropolitan trappings and brand name stores that bombard us in the city. To see as many as 43 of these windmills erected along the Island's pristine coasts, would be a shame.

In other parts of the world, it's becoming practical to install turbines underwater to harness the ocean tides. Not that Manitoulin has any tides to speak of, but it does have a notable current. Could the turbines be placed underwater in the channel? A strong, non-fluctuating, inexhaustible supply of power. If it's underwater, then it's not an eyesore. If deep enough, then no obstacle to boaters. The turbines turn slower because water current is stronger than wind, thus no damage to aquatic life. Probably expensive, but kudos for saving a rare and precious place might well be received from engineering firms to governments for putting the Island's natural beauty first.

It would satisfy both landowners and the power company.

There is one in Scotland and other places-just Google the topic and you'll see it can be done and that there are options.

Geoffrey Allen

Burlington

McLean's Mountain an inappropriate site for wind farm

Project will adversely influence hunting, tourism

To the Expositor:

It seems the debate over the proposed wind farm at McLean's Mountain is getting sidetracked. The issue is not whether wind power is good or bad. The question for us is whether or not McLean's Mountain is an appropriate place to put 43 wind turbines.

To address this question, the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) requires energy companies to assess effects on several socio-economic factors (in addition to environmental factors like birds and bats). Some of the factors (in a long list) include the effects on neighbourhood or community character, local businesses, cottaging or tourism, community infrastructure, the economic base of the municipality, local traffic, cultural heritage landscapes, scenic or aesthetically pleasing landscapes or view, and game and fishery resources (e.g. hunting).

The reason these issues must be assessed is because wind farms can do damage to these things. The MOE recognizes that the items in the above list are valuable economic resources that should have consideration in the decision.

When you look at what gives NEMI, and in fact most of Manitoulin Island, a sustainable economy (thus allowing most of us to live here), the items on this list are the most important things!

I do not believe that Northland Power has given sufficient attention to these issues in their environmental screening, which is why many of us have requested the MOE bump up the process to a full environmental assessment. To give you just one of many examples: of course wind turbines will not kill deer, but the deer will certainly move out of the area; what will happen when hunting is no longer viable for all the people who own land in the Green Bush for this traditional use? Will it cause a drop in property values? These are complex issues that cannot be dealt with lightly and which are not small potatoes to our cottage country economy.

Wind power can be a very good thing. The problem is that cottage country is not the right place to put a lot of turbines. You have to decide what you want to see happen in NEMI. Do you want turbines or do you want cottages and tourism?

It's probably going to come down to one or the other because they don't go together very well.

Judith Jones

Winter Spider Eco-Consulting

Sheguiandah

Economics prof questions efficiency, market logic of wind turbines

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is an abridgement of an article in the C.D. Howe publication Verbatim, published on April 15. To read it in its entirety, visit www.cdhowe.org.

Speaking Truth to "wind" power

by Michael J. Trebilcock

The Case Against Industrial Wind Turbines

1) Industrial wind turbines have minimal impact on carbon emissions.

There is no evidence that industrial wind power is likely to have a significant impact on carbon emissions. The European experience is instructive. Denmark, the world's most wind-intensive nation with more than 6,000 turbines generating 19 percent of its electricity, has yet to close a single fossil-fuel plant. It requires 50 percent more coal-generated electricity to cover wind power's unpredictability. Pollution and carbon dioxide emissions have risen (by 36 percent in 2006 alone. The German experience is no different.

2) Industrial wind turbines are uneconomic.

Industrial wind power is not a viable economic alternative to other energy conservation options. Again, the Danish experience is instructive. Its electricity generation costs are the highest in Europe (15 cents/kilowatt hour compared to Ontario's current rate of about six cents. The chair of energy policy in the Danish parliament calls it "a terribly expensive disaster."

3) Industrial wind turbines cause insufficiently researched health effects.

A growing body of scientific and 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 leading to depression, chronic stress migraines, nausea and dizziness, exhaustion and anger, memory loss and cognitive difficulties, cardiac arrhythmias, increased heart rate and blood pressure. A prominent academic study lists no fewer than 13 studies that show that wind turbines at night can disturb residents more that two kilometres away. This living close to the source of noise can develop what has been termed vibroacoustic disease (VAD). Noise from wind turbines exhibits the characteristics of noise experienced in various occupations (aircrews, aircraft maintenance workers, ship worker and an islander population to environmental infra- and low-frequency noise). Complaints from people living near wind turbines are the same as those from persons who develop VAD. Also flicker from turbines at a minimum is disruptive and annoying. Flicker poses a potential risk of photosensitive seizures.

3) Industrial wind turbines have adverse effects on adjacent property values.

A three-year study of 600 properties near the Malancthon wind turbine developments north of Shelburne, Ontario found that property values decreased by 20 percent to 25 percent (an average of $48,000), were on the market more than twice as long as properties in adjacent areas, and a large number (four times those that did sell) could not be sold at any price.

4) The decision-making process is undemocratic and will undermine efficient regulation.

When Premier Dalton McGuinty first ran for public office in 2003, his platform included a prominent commitment to "democratic renewal" in Ontario. In a June 2004 press release, he and his minister of democratic renewal, Michael Bryant, declared that they were embarking upon "the most democratic renewal process in Ontario's history."

The Green Energy Act will gut locally elected governments of major planning responsibilities, remit most key decisions to subsequent ministerial regulations that no-one will see until after their promulgation and will centralize most important powers over the electricity sector in the minister's office.

Even if one thought (contrary to my views) that wind turbines were a good idea environmentally and economically, there would be a simple solution to the impact on rural residents who face being conscripted to bear most of the burden of a problem they did not create. The solution is to ensure that setbacks conform to international standards as endorsed by renowned medical and scientific bodies that have closely examined the health and environmental risks. The French Academy of Medicine in a 2006 study recommends 1.5 kilometres, pending further research on health effects of persistent exposure to low-intensity noise.

Alternatively, the government could concentrate wind farms in more remote or sparsely populated areas. These measures would also minimize negative impacts on property values. But these are modest palliatives to the policy flaws in Bill 150 and do not address wind power's two key inconvenient truths: failure to reduce significant carbon emissions and exorbitant cost to taxpayers and consumers.

Compiled by William Ritching of Little Current
 

Michael J Trebilcock is a professor of Law and Economics at the University of Toronto.