(click image to enlarge)
(click image to enlarge)
Will Wind Turbines Trigger Turmoil in Tiny?
By Jack Ellis
Global warming, the Kyoto Protocol, and skyrocketing fuel prices cause widespread concern for our energy future. ‘Green’ energy without greenhouse gases is now high on the agenda. Ontario targets 1,310 Megawatts of windpower by 2007, and 2,200 MW - up to 1,500 turbines - by 2010.
As reported in Tiny Cottager articles in 2005, Tiny now faces two proposals for wind turbines and associated transmission lines:
• 50 turbines on Christian Island Reserve
• 6 turbines in the 19th-21st Concession West
Many persons applaud Tiny for ‘doing its part’ for green energy. Others are concerned about serious impacts on our environment and nearby property values.
The environmental screening process for the Robitaille development is likely nearing its conclusion as you read this. This article outlines how you can have input to the approval process.
Some Background
Tiny’s commercial turbines are not your old farm windmills that pumped water for cows. Their concrete pillars are 80 metres tall, with triple blades 40 m long. Total height equals a 40-storey building.
Each turbine can produce 1.5 Megawatts of power when the wind blows; six should generate 9 Mw., theoretically enough to power over 3,000 homes. But because wind power fluctuates unpredictably, the grid must maintain an appropriate capacity (typically 90%) of conventional power in ‘spinning reserve’ to maintain system stability and keep the lights on when the wind slows or stops. This spinning reserve produces some greenhouse gas even when idling.
Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator states: “For capacity planning purposes, wind generation has a dependable capacity of 10% of the listed figures.”
Wind power is very expensive relative to conventional energy sources and receives eight major government subsidies. One provision limits assessment of wind turbines to $40,000 X the Mw capacity. Thus, each turbine’s municipal tax base is $60,000, even though its cost is approximately $3 million.
Wind turbine locations are determined by on-site wind energy density tests. The map above right shows wind energy densities in and around Tiny.
The map shows that Tiny rates medium-low for wind energy density. Its 300W/m2 wind density can sustain only medium-sized 1.5 Mw generators. In windier areas 3 Mw turbines can be supported.
Windfarm Approval Process
Developers must:
• perform noise calculations for a Certificate of Approval under the Ontario Environmental Protection Act
• conduct an environmental screening following Ontario’s “Guide to Environmental Assessment Requirements for Electricity Projects" (MOE)
• conduct an environmental screening according to The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (done in conjunction with the Ontario screening)
• apply for an amendment to the municipality’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law, which normally must be for industrial uses.
Surprisingly, the Ontario and Federal ‘environmental watchdog’ authorities, having set up the process and criteria for the environmental screening, normally DO NOT involve themselves in conducting, reviewing – or even reading – these studies.
The developer (“proponent”) does the specified studies, holds the required public meetings, then makes his report public when finished. He prepares a public 1 or 2-page “Statement of Completion”, forwards it to the Director of the Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch (EAAB), and subject to any other approval requirements (e.g. noise certificate and municipal zoning), can construct the project.
However, from the date of issuing the “Statement of Completion” there is a 30-DAY PERIOD for public review. If that time passes WITHOUT MOE action on a solidly-based objection in the form of an “ELEVATION REQUEST” from the public, environmental approval of the project is DEEMED to occur.
In effect, our ‘environmental watchdog’ slumbers unless YOU WAKE IT!
The Ontario “Guide” contains 84 pages. (Web reference below.) On page 41, “Elevation Requests” are described in detail:
“Members of the public or agencies with an outstanding environmental concern regarding a project undergoing the screening process should bring their concerns to the attention of the proponent as early in the process as possible. If concerns are not resolved, the concerned party can ask the proponent to voluntarily elevate the project, either before or during the 30-day review period…If the proponent declines to voluntarily elevate the project during the 30-day review period, the party may write to the Director of the EAAB to request that the project be elevated.”
An “Environmental Screening” process can be “elevated” to the more extensive “Environmental Review” process, rarely to an individual “Environmental Assessment”. The “Guide” specifies the exact contents for an Elevation Request, which must be followed scrupulously.
It provides:
“Upon receipt of an elevation request, the proponent shall forward a copy of the Screening Report ….. to the Director of the EAAB…..
Requests which are clearly made with the intent of delaying a project, are frivolous or vexatious or which contain insufficient information may be denied by the Director of the EAAB.”
The Noise Certificate
Noise impacts of a wind park mainly arise from a loud “whooshing” sound made when each blade passes the support pillar at tip speeds approaching 300 km/h. A setback from buildings is required to minimize this disturbance and ensure health and safety.
The requirements for noise studies are set out by the MOE (web reference below). Noise studies should occur early in the environmental screening, although the Certificate is not issued until after the Environmental Screening Report (ESR) has been made available for review.
Public involvement in noise evaluation occurs through the screening report itself. Therefore, if noise is a concern to you, review the theoretical noise projections in the public ESR carefully.
The Bottom Line
Would the proposed wind park be a boon to Tiny or a bane? Everyone must decide whether
• the esthetic and other environmental impacts are acceptable or not
• the 9 Mw of windpower (0.4% of the provincial target) will usefully reduce global warming or not
• the assessment base of the project (9 X $60,000 = $540,000) will adequately compensate the Township of Tiny or not.
Internet Resources
See Wind Power under “Useful Links” on www.tinycottager.org.