No charges laid in wind farm methanol spill

Mehtanol spill on construction site [Photo: MCSEA]
Methanol spill on construction site: reported but the company says ‘it was vandals’ [Photo: MCSEA]
April 8, 2016
Community group the Manitoulin Coalition for Safe Energy Alternatives (MCSEA) has learned that the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) has not laid charges against a wind power developer after a methanol spill was reported on Manitoulin Island in 2014.
Chairman Ray Beaudry told Wind Concerns Ontario today that he followed up with MOECC Spills Investigator Angela Allen and was told that there was not enough proof to lay charges in connection with the spill at the work site for the McLean’s Mountain wind power project.
“I can’t believe it,” Beaudry told Wind Concerns.
“There was plenty of evidence at the site, but the developer claimed it was vandalism, or maybe someone using a snowmobile trail.
“It seems like with what’s happening in Prince Edward County this week [clearing vegetation in endangered Blandings turtle habitat, despite an ongoing appeal] these developers just get a pass on everything,” Beaudry said.
“I’m not sure what the public can do now when they see things damaging the environment like this.”
The original story carried in the Manitoulin Expositor on the toxic chemical spill may be found here.
 

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13 Comments

  • Sommer
    Posted April 8, 2016 2:02 pm 0Likes

    After spending my entire adult life being an energy conserver and taking care of the environment around me, I must say I’ve lost respect for environmentalists and even for our own Ministry of the Environment.
    This whole situation is ludicrous!
    In an effort to supposedly ‘save the planet’ these hypocrites have ruined our environment with noise and infrasound radiation and a myriad of offences like this story describes.
    Seeing all of those trees cut down makes me sick at heart because I know that trees will reduce CO2 emissions better than these turbines ever will.
    I also know the passion with which people in the Prince Edward County community have been protecting the Blanding’s turtles.
    Once while visiting there for a wonderful weekend, we were driving along a highway, around a bend and saw a motorist stopped at the side of the road, attempting to rescue a turtle on the road in front of us. We had no idea why this person was willing to risk her life to do this, but now I understand her concern. For a person like her, seeing this offence must be absolutely disillusioning.
    This destruction has to stop now.

  • Sommer
    Posted April 8, 2016 2:14 pm 0Likes

    I’ve visited Manitoulin Island and had such a profound sense of the sacredness of that place. I’ve never forgotten the deep relaxation I felt while there.
    It grieves me to think of infrasound radiation permeating the island once these turbines are turned on.

  • Pat Cusack
    Posted April 8, 2016 4:22 pm 0Likes

    I agree with you absolutely Sommer. I too have been to Manitoulin Island a few times and it breaks my heart to hear how another place is being ruined.

  • Barbara
    Posted April 8, 2016 7:08 pm 0Likes

    Was there any batch/lot information/numbers on the containers that were found?
    Distribution information might be obtained and where this product was sold.

    • Raymond Beaudry
      Posted April 8, 2016 7:56 pm 0Likes

      59422-HALL_CHEM CS40116
      Customer 05/12
      Transit Lubricants/ Hogg Fuel
      692 Green Bush Road
      C/O MCLEANS MOUNTAIN WIND
      BOL:194809 Cse 1
      “BARCODE”
      21568243 ROBE

  • Raymond Beaudry
    Posted April 8, 2016 8:01 pm 0Likes

    Methanol
    Hall Chemical MFG. Inc
    1270 Nobel
    Boucherville P.Q. J4B5H1
    WHMIS Placard, 1986, 3

  • Little ol' me
    Posted April 9, 2016 9:30 am 0Likes

    So..what are we going to do about it

    • Barbara
      Posted April 9, 2016 11:12 am 0Likes

      Public education from reliable sources.
      MedlinePlus: Methanol poisoning
      Poisonous ingredient: Methyl alcohol
      Where found:
      Antifreeze
      De-icing fluid
      Windshield wiper fluid
      Fuel additives (octane boosters)
      And other products
      http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002680.htm

      • Barbara
        Posted April 9, 2016 3:06 pm 0Likes

        For some background information Google:
        ‘Reporting of Hazardous Spills’, article from Environmental Compliance Insider.
        “What are your legal obligations?”
        View:
        The Laws of Spills Reporting
        The 5 “Ws” of Spill Reporting Laws
        Might try:
        http://www.environmentalcomplianceinsider.com, and search for this article.

    • Barbara
      Posted April 9, 2016 12:28 pm 0Likes

      Vandal suspected in this spill. But never an OPP notification or investigation?
      A case of this can be taken care of and no need for OPP investigation?

      • Barbara
        Posted April 10, 2016 8:40 pm 0Likes

        A little “Bhopol” incident in Ontario?

  • Raymond Beaudry
    Posted April 10, 2016 8:07 am 0Likes

    When questioned the MOE did not take samples of the ice mounds from the water spray discharge from the boring pit into the swamp.

    • Barbara
      Posted April 10, 2016 2:47 pm 0Likes

      This is a very toxic substance and there should have been an immediate response from the MOE.
      ——————————————————————————-
      Linkedin: Infrastructure And Energy Alternatives LLC, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
      H.B. White Canada is a subsidiary of Infrastructure And Energy Alternatives, LLC
      Subsidiaries list at:
      https:www.linkedin.com/company/infrastructure-and-energy-alternatives-llc?trk=affco

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