Prince Edward County remains in a state of emergency today following an accident in which a barge being used to transport materials to the Windlectric wind power project on Amherst Island sank, polluting the waters of Picton Bay with diesel fuel. At the time of the incident, Windlectric had no Marine Logistics Plan in place.
The Association to Protect Amherst Island has called for cancellation of the power project, and issued this statement today.
Dear Premier Wynne:
Prince Edward County Mayor Robert Quaiff has declared a
water emergency as a result of contaminants approaching the Picton-Bloomfield water intake due to a partially sunken barge in Picton Harbour under contract to McNeil Marine and ultimately under contract to Algonquin Power/Windlectric for the proposed Amherst Island Wind Project.
The silence from Algonquin Power/Windlectric is deafening.
Indeed Algonquin/Windlectric had the audacity to attempt to continue aggregate delivery from Picton Terminals to Amherst Island yesterday (Tuesday March 28 2017) but was thwarted either because either the water was too low or the dock too high, yet another example of the comedy of errors associated with this ill-conceived project.
The Association to Protect Amherst Island reiterates its request for MOECC to issue an immediate stop work order for the Amherst Island Wind Project until such time as a comprehensive report is available for the Picton Harbour incident and a preventative action plan is is place to address the high risk to public and environmental safety of all aspects of the project. and to address the need for a Major Design Modification to address the changed project location to include Picton Terminals.
At the same time, the Association reaffirms its request to reject the proposed amendment to the Certificate of Property Use for the contaminated Invista Lands on Bath Road (EBR 012-9749) designated as parkland. Similar to the Picton Harbour situation, a water intake exists in proximity to the proposed mainland dock for the Amherst Island Wind Project and serves a local industrial park. Algonquin/Windlectric in its Marine Safety Plan now advises that fuelling of barges is proposed at the mainland dock location. Not only is the land contaminated with the possibility of pollution of Lake Ontario, the company plans to fuel in proximity to a water intake.
The same “Marine Safety Plan” fails to address any aspect of transport of materials from Picton terminals except for a vague reference that “The bulk barge and the ATV (Aggregate Transfer Vessel) will approach and leave the island dock area from the west, . . . ” as if from the Land of Oz. The Association is in the process of reviewing this “too little, too late” document and will have further comments about use of barges in ice conditions, the lack of traffic volume, lack of simulation of barges crossing the ferry path, incomplete information about the installation of the high voltage transmission line from the mainland to the Island and the total lack of risk assessment, failure to mention Picton Terminals,among other matters.
The use of an “Aggregate Transfer Vessel” was not identified in the REA submission and no stockpiling of aggregate was proposed other than in immediate proximity to the proposed cement batching plant by the Island school.
The Association has emphasized the importance of marine safety since this project was proposed and has pleaded with politicians, MOECC, Ontario’s Chief Drinking Water Official and the Chief Fire Marshall and Head of Emergency Preparedness.
Please take immediate action to stop the Amherst Island Wind Project before a tragedy occurs.
Thank you.
Sincerely
Michèle Le Lay
President
Association to Protect Amherst Island
Related
What's your reaction?
0Cool0Upset0Love0Lol
43 Comments
Ron Hartlen
No doubt our Government will find a way to twist this around so that it is good for our Health and the Environment, and will surely save us money on our Hydro bills
Barbara
And putting a price on carbon emissions is good for your health. Remember this every time you fill your gas tank or pay your home natural gas bill.
Barbara
Canadian Medical Association, Aug.,2015
Resolutions Adopted (Confirmed)
P. 4, No.49
“The Canadian Medical Association will promote the health benefits of a strong, predictable price on carbon emissions. (DM 5-21).”
https://www.cma.ca/Assets/assets-library/document/en/about-us/gc2015/resolutions-passed-at-gc_final_english.pdf
Barbara
Ontario Ministry Of Health and Long Term Care
‘The Ontario Climate Change and Health Toolkit’, August, 2016
“The Ontario Climate change and Health Toolkit has been developed to meet the public health challenge of a changing climate in Ontario.”
More information and documents at:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/common/ministry/publications/reports/climate_change_toolkit/climate_change_toolkit.aspx
Barbara
Environmental Commissioner of Ontario
‘2015 Annual GHG Progress Report – Feeling The Heat’, July 7, 2015
‘Gap Looms In Ontario’s Fight Against Climate Change’
“Climate change has already begun to cost Ontario.”
https://eco.on.ca/reports/2015-climate-change-report-feeling-the-heat
Barbara
OCCAR/Ontario Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources
Ontario’s Regional Adaptation Collaborative
“The government will be using this report to develop ways to improve Ontario’s ability to address climate change impacts.”
Expert Panel includes members from:
Pollution Probe
Engineers Canada
Clean Air Partnership
IISD
Ouranos, Quebec
http://www.climateontario.ca/expert.php
Barbara
Engineers Canada, Ottawa
Preparing for the Impact of climate Change:
Background information:
“Our changing climate, with its extreme weather events, is adversely impacting and threatening Canada’s health and safety,and the quality of life provided to its citizens.”
Report at:
https://engineerscanada.ca/sites/default/files/Engineers-Canada-Submission-Preparing-Impact-Climate-Change-en.pdf
Barbara
The full quote is:
“Our changing climate, with its extreme weather events, is adversely impacting Canada’s health and safety, and the quality of life provided to its citizens by public infrastructure.”
Barbara
Ministry Of the Environment And Climate Change
‘Ontario’s Climate Change Discussion Paper 2015’
Section 3: p.34
‘Promote climate resilience and risk management with key partners’
“… including for example the Public Infrastructure Engineering Vulnerability Committee (PIEVC) tool from Engineers Canada …”
Discussion paper at:
http://www.downloads.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/env_reg/er/documents/2015/012-3452.pdf
Barbara
Also:
‘Ontario’s Climate Discussion Paper 2015’
‘Promote climate resilience and risk management with key partners’
Section 3: p.34
Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction Ontario
——————————————————————————————–
Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, Toronto, ON
Paul Kovacs, Executive Director and a founder
“Since 1996 Paul has been a contributing author to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the world’s leading forum for the study of climate issues.”
http://www.iclr.org/staffprofilekovacs.html
Barbara
Engineers Canada
About PIEVC:
Committee Membership List 2015-2016 includes:
Paul Kovacs, Institute of Catastrophic Loss Reduction
https://pievc.ca/members-list
Barbara
Sommet De Quebec
“Sommet De Quebec Sur Les Changements Climatiques’ ,April 14, 2015
Invited experts included:
Alain Bourque, Oranos
Paul Kovacs, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction
Christiana Figueres, UNFCCC
Mark Kenber, CEO, The Climate Group
Program at:
http://www.mddelcc.gouv.qc.ca/changementsclimatiques/sommet2015/pdf/programmeSCC_ang.pdf
Barbara
Ouranos Inc., Montreal
Ouranos: Innovation Cluster on Regional Climatology and Adaptation to Climate Change
Executive director: A. Bourque
Affiliated Members include:
Manitoba Hydro
Ontario Power Generation
http://www.ouranos.ca/en/ouranos
Barbara
‘Adapting to Climate Change in Ontario’, November 2009, 96 pages
“This report has been prepared by the Expert Panel on Climate Change Adaptation at the request of the Minister of Environment.”
Preface, p.3, Panel Composition
Appendix A, p.82: Panel Members Bios.
http://www.climateontario.ca/doc/publications/ExpertPanel-AdaptingInOntario.pdf
Barbara
Quebec
Quebec Premier’s Website, Toronto, July 8, 2015
Climate Summit of the Americas, Toronto, July 2015
‘Quebec adheres to the Under 2 Memorandum of Understanding on Global Climate Leadership’
Communique includes:
Mark Kenber, CEO, The Climate Group
Quebec Summit on Climate change, April 2015
Al Gore
U.S. governors names
More information at:
http://www.premier-ministre.gouv.qc.ca/actualites//communiques/details-en.asp?idCommunique=2732
Barbara
State of California website
‘Subnational Global Climate Leadership Memorandum of Understanding’, May 19, 2015
Appendix A.8, I 35
Ontario:
Commitment to transform commuter rail network to an electric regional rail network.
More at:
https://www.gov.ca.gov/docs/Under_2_MOU.pdf
Barbara
CA. Gov
Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
‘Governor Brown, International Leaders Form Historic Partnership To Fight Climate Change’, 5-19-15
Ontario is included.
Has link to above : Under_2_MOU
More information at:
https://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=18964
Barbara
Ontario
Under 2 MOU – Final Appendix
At:
http://under2mou.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Ontario-appendix.pdf
Barbara
Under 2
Secretariat
The Climate Group announced as Secretariat of Under 2 Coalition at the UN Climate conference (COP 21) in 2015.
http://under2mou.org/secretariat.
Barbara
CA. Gov
Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.
Paris, 12-6-15
‘Photo Release: Day 2: Climate Change Conference: Governor Brown, Ambassador Hartley Welcome 15 New Signatories To Under Under 2 MOU Climate Pact’
More information at:
https://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=19232
Barbara
‘Proceedings Of The Quebec Summit On Climate Change’, April, 2015, 60 pages with photos.
Includes promotion of carbon taxes.
Proceedings at:
http://www.mddelcc.gouv.qc.ca/changementsclimatiques/sommet2015/pdf/actes-en.pdf
Slow download
Notinduttondunwich
Lmfao!!! Your right Ron…. again the people of Amherst Island need to drag some shat down to the docks and block those A@%holes from destroying more of our resources…. Get off your duff people and stand up to these corporate resource rapists…. after they’re gone you folks will have to deal with the aftermath… not them!!! Get down to your docks and defend your land!!!! Get off your duff and blockade…. no reasonable person would allow you to continue on a project after you’ve contaminated the water …. why is it OK for these idiots to do it!! Get off your duff folks before it’s too late!!!
Winds got to go
I look forward to helping you out at DD !! . exactly get active . Time to protect the land water and air Like the chief said unite !! Educate the community And we will win
Notinduttondunwich
What an absolute tragedy this is…. folks it’s time to stand up to this insanity…. we’ve been rendered powerless by our own government to protect our natural resources from the people who we pay to protect our natural resources from US!!!.. … did I just really say that!!!
It’s like the Canadian green energy act is the biggest oxymoron of all time folks….
now we got barges loaded with fuel leaking by the fresh water intakes and the only thing that is happening is the company that’s in charge of this sh@tshow is worried about getting another barge to get the job done… WTF is happening here people!!! Sorry but this is outrageous…. if a local fisherman… construction company or resident working on or near the water had an accidental fuel spill that big…. that company or person would be responsible 100% by the Minister of environment and the TSSA!!!! Why do these $$$@rs get a free pass to destroy our environment and we’re supposed to sit down and shut the %$#@ up!!! I think we need to call a STATE OF EMERGENCY all over ontario….
Ridiculousness!!!!!!!
This shat is a nigjtmare for everyone…. I’m going to see if the owls will comfort and guide me through this….
Sommer
This is what happens when you have an industry led, government condoned incursion. Unless people once and for all get through to this government this will continue in Ontario.
Considering the harm done by these turbines to the residents who have been forced to leave their homes in order to protect their health or the health of a member of their family, an emergency should have been declared long ago.
Tracy
This is criminal; absolutely disgusting at the least. It goes right back to the reign of Dalton McGuinty. He may be out of sight, but he is not off the hook.
How far will Kathleen Wynne go before a state of emergency is declared?
This conspiracy has been going on in Ontario for 10 years. It must stop. We need an election called now. Wynne will prorogue just as Dalton did. The Green Energy Act is Ontario’s biggest tragedy of all time. Shame on the Liberals.
Barbara
Sometimes things just have to crash and then try starting starting over again.
Notinduttondunwich
Tracey … it’s LIEberals….. and yes how do you call an election??? An early one… or one for incompetence…. or arrogance… or misinformation….. or…..
Notinduttondunwich
http://m.huffpost.com/ca/entry/15709632?ir=Canada
Wow!!!! I’m applying to one of them 800 jobs…. anybody out there that’s lost their job over the last 5 years needs to be applying Fer those jobs!!! Let’s see…. $200,000,000.00 Fer 800 jobs…. that’s 200,000,000.00 ÷ 800 jobs……. so that’s $250, 000.00 per job…. Holy Hannah!!!! That’s pretty darn good little chunk of change… sure wish we could get some of our own tax money invested like that here in Elgin and Middlesex…..
Something terribly wrong here folks… hijacking…
Notinduttondunwich
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/toronto/hydro-one-ceo-s-4-5m-salary-won-t-be-reduced-to-help-cut-electricity-costs-1.4048675
Notinduttondunwich
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/montreal/bombardier-executives-quebec-payout-1.4047290
Yet another Justin “Sunny Ways” Treadeau moment!!
All part of Ole Katty Wynndes new FAIR and INCLUSIVE programs…. you’ll start to hear them soon enough on the TV and radio… telling us all how good things are… and how were growing the economy from the inside out…. and how were just not quite yet seeing the benefits of all the hard work that her and her cabinet have so carefully and diligently planned for us simple country bumpkins…..
?…..
Sommer
Is this still being proposed on Amherst Island?
“The playground for the only elementary school on the island lies within 550 metres of one of the proposed turbines. Hydro One won’t allow wind turbines that close to its transmission lines for fear of damage—but the Ontario government deems school children less valuable, it seems.”
If so, then given what is known about harm to children, this should be the ‘straw that breaks the camel’s back’.
Notinduttondunwich
Thanks for your support “Winds gotta go”…. yes we will unite and fight this intrusion as a community….. our municipal staff and Darryl Chrisjohn from Oneida were plenty upset about the lack of transparency and communication from Iveridiots …. I read this week that the Lieberals will honour the contracts and still refuse to cancel them…..
so now I see another truck roll by my house headed to the lake with concrete barriers……….. I saw that the used tire bin is empty again too……..
So ridiculous that the folks of DD are having to basically go to war with our own government over such a useless project… so disappointed with the government and their refusal to listen to the people of DD or Ontarions in general. You heard Darryl Chrisjohn at the community meeting….. “You are in very big big trouble!!”
Well…. I just got my pitchfork outa winter
storage …. maybe go practice some….
And Sommer….. it’s ok to put turdbines that close to children…. because they are under 18 years of age they are excluded from any testing inside….. outside…beside…… the school… the MOECC won’t allow any testing evidence like this in an ERT case…..
Notinduttondunwich
http://live.gridwatch.ca/home-page.html
So close to giving it all away!!!! Just 5mw more to dispose of all the wind produced…. c’mon michigan and NY … it’s Friday night…!!!
Notinduttondunwich
Woops my bad!!!! It’s the other way around!!
Dooooooooooooooh!!!
Insert Red Hot Chili peppers sing here!!!
“Give it away…. give it away … give it away now!!
Richard Mann
Stop all the turbines. People are suffering under them right now. Huron Health Board started a “Health Investigation” in March 2016. It has been more than a year and they still have not consulted impacted individuals. The last I heard they were “preparing a survey” and waiting for “ethics approval”. Any news since then???
Notinduttondunwich
http://live.gridwatch.ca/home-page.html
Look proud Ontarions as your new Renewable Energy Export business cranks out YOUR overpriced hydro to New York AND Michigan for pennies per KWH….. well done everyone….
Notinduttondunwich
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/business/ontario-cap-and-trade-first-auction-1.4053437
Barbara
WCI, Inc./Western Climate Initiative Inc., Sacramento, CA, USA
News and Announcements
April 3, 2017, ‘The Government Of Ontario Has Released The March 22, 2017 Auction Results’
See Board Section for names of Ontario Board Members at WCI, Inc.
http://www.wci-inc.org
Barbara
Ontario: Office of the Premier
News Room: November 3, 2015
‘Premier Wynne Concludes Successful Mission To California’
“The Premier met with California Governor Edmund G Jerry) Brown Jr., to continue discussions on Climate Change, including Ontario’s plans to move forward with a cap-and-trade system linked to California’s under the Western Climate Initiative and her plans to attend COP 21 in Paris this fall.”
https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2015/11/california-mission-leads-to-jobs-and-investments-for-ontario.html
Barbara
MIT Press Journals, August 2015
‘Global Environmental Politics’
Research articles:
Re: Cap-and-trade and the Western Climate Initiative.
‘Comparative Politics of Sub-Federal Cap-and-trade: Implementing the Western Climate Initiative’, August 2015
Scroll down to the article title:
“Since parliamentary institutions concentrate power, elite consensus is more important in Canada, while in the United States public opinion plays a more significant role.”
Abstract at: http://www.mitpressjournals.org/toc/glep/15/3
Full article requires subscription.
Sommer
Take a look at what has just been exposed about the wind industry and governments condoning their deceptions.This is amazing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef6bb-S1CLo
whooper
This is an amazing investigative report on wind turbines and human health. It exposes the sham of Canada’s own “paid goon” “Dr.” Chris Olson (Dr. of Philosophy) who testifies worldwide about health and IWT – when he has NO background in health! It exposes Nextera etc, etc. It is a MUST watch especially beginning at about the 10 minute mark! EXCELLENT!