Proposed Wind Farm in Tiny: An Update

Ventus Energy Inc. is proposing to build six wind turbines (the Robitaille Farm Wind Park). During the summer the site was shifted north and east from the originally-proposed area. Two turbines are now to be located on farmland west of Cedar Point Road, one south of Concession19 and the other north of it. The remaining four are to be placed north and east of the first two, in the wooded area south of the Cedar Point area and west of Thunder Beach’s West Shore Drive.

We published an article about the project in the Spring 2005 Tiny Cottager (“Will Wind Energy Blow into Tiny?” by Jack Ellis), which can be accessed online at www.tinycottager.org by clicking on Issue Archives.

FoTTSA’s Board has not taken a position either in favour of or against the project.

The proponents have held two public meetings to explain their project, the first on April 27 and the second on August 27. Their consultant has recently set up a new website:
http://www.mkince.ca/robitaillefarm.html

Environmental Screening:
The project is currently undergoing both federal and provincial Environmental Assessments to ensure that it meets standards with respect to birds, flora and fauna; noise impact; visual impact; archeological issues; and agricultural issues. The processes and final report are not expected to be completed until summer of 2006 in order to capture a full year’s worth of data (flora, fauna, birds, etc) for the new project area.

At that time a Screening Report will be made available for public and agency review. The Screening Report is required to be a thorough record of what has been found out during the process, and will include a statement of all mitigation, impact management and monitoring commitments that may be made. Technical reports and other supporting information need not be included in the Report, but must be referenced in it and made available to members of the public if requested. Concerns raised at this time by the authorities or the public may result in further requirements to be met.

For more information on the provincial Environmental Screening and Environmental Assessments, you can refer to http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/gp/4021e.pdf

For information on the federal process, you can visit http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/index_e.htm

Ontario Ministry of Energy Request For Proposals (RFP):
The McGuinty government has encouraged the development of renewable sources of electricity supply through a series of Requests for Proposals. The Ministry issued its third RFP for Renewable Energy Supply, this time for projects of less than 20 MW, in July. The accepted projects are expected to be announced by March 2006. Essentially, accepted projects will receive a 20-year price guarantee. An accepted supplier will deliver power to the Ontario electricity market on an hourly basis; the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) will be paid by the market at the going hourly price, and in turn will pay the RFP-contracted price to the supplier for the energy supplied. Any shortfall will be recovered by the OPA through a monthly charge against all Ontario electricity consumers in proportion to their usage.
See http://www.ontarioelectricityrfp.ca/RenewablesRFP/docs/RenewablesIIIDraftRFP.pdf

It is not clear whether Ventus would be prepared to proceed with this project in the event that it is not selected in the RFP process.

Municipal Responsibility: Official Plan and Zoning Issues:
The following Ministry of Energy document lays out the steps involved in obtaining a building permit: http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=renewable.windinfosheet.
It is expected that Ventus’ application for Official Plan and Zoning By-Law amendment will be made next spring/summer, coinciding with the completion of the necessary environmental studies. Following this application, the township will conduct public hearing(s).

In addition to the internet resources already referenced. you may wish to check out
Canadian Wind Energy Association http://www.canwea.ca/
Coalition of Residents - Tiny (CORT) – opponents of the project: http://www.cort.ca