November 23, 2017
MPP demands that wind power projects be cancelled over concerns about Black Shale and polluted wells
In Question Period on November 20, Monte McNaughton, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex rose to ask the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change what action was being taken for people in his riding whose well water has been rendered “undrinkable swill” during construction for a nearby wind power project.
Minister Ballard responded with, in his own words, “generalities” and specifically skipped over answering the question about the quality of well water to say that “renewable energy projects are a necessity.”*
Here, from Hansard, is what the Minister said in response to Mr McNaughton.
Mr. Monte McNaughton: My question today is for the Minister of Energy. In my riding of Lambton–Kent–Middlesex, your ministry is pushing ahead with two new industrial wind turbine developments, the North Kent 1 and Otter Creek wind farms. These wind farms will generate electricity we don’t need and contribute to pushing hydro bills even higher than they already are.
These developments include turbines almost 200 metres high with foundations that require pile driving into black shale bedrock, rock containing heavy metals. This bedrock carries water of the aquifer. Since the start of construction on the North Kent project, 14 water wells have become turbid and undrinkable.
Mr. Speaker, we’ve seen the impact of pile driving into black shale from the North Kent project. Why is the minister allowing construction to continue there, and why is he jeopardizing the drinking water of another community by going forward with the Otter Creek project?
Hon. Glenn Thibeault: To the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.
Hon. Chris Ballard: I’m happy to speak in some generalities around the need for wind turbines, and the very vigorous process that our government puts in place to make sure that the turbines are sited safely and that there is good, strong consultation with the community.
Speaker, we take the concerns regarding the environment and human health very seriously. I’ll say that we adhere to a very strict renewable energy approvals process.
Thanks to clean air and clean energy—and let me speak to the fundamentals for a second—Ontario has saved more than $4 billion in annual health and environmental costs because of this government’s commitment to clean energy.
Unlike the PCs, we can’t sit idly by. Renewable energy projects are a necessity and a crucial part of our low-carbon carbon switch, and we’re not going to back down from our—
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. I stand, you sit.
Mr. Monte McNaughton: Back to the Minister of Energy: These wind farms will forever end food production on some of the best agricultural land in our country. And we are talking about an environmentally sensitive area, home to 24 species at risk, and within a major flight path for migratory birds. It is fragmenting the bedrock, turning clear, clean water into dirty, undrinkable swill, yet the project is going ahead even though the government has suspended the large renewable procurement II process because there is no need for additional electricity.
When the minister made that announcement in September 2016, I said that North Kent 1 and Otter Creek should be cancelled as well. Had the minister cancelled these two projects, the long-term savings would amount to $570 million. If stopping turbine construction makes economic, environmental and public health sense, why would the Minister of Energy sign off on continuing to build industrial wind farms in my riding of Lambton–Kent–Middlesex?
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock, please. Be seated, please. Thank you.
Hon. Chris Ballard: Thanks for the opportunity to follow up on the North Kent wind farm. Again, I’m going to reiterate that our government takes these concerns regarding groundwater quality very seriously. The renewable energy approval process, in fact, requires these proponents to undertake extensive consultation with municipalities, indigenous communities and the public. Additionally, we have taken a very cautious, science-based approach when setting the standards for renewable energy projects in order to protect the health of the Ontario people.
Speaker, the proponent in this case has done extensive monitoring prior to construction, and we’re going to require them to continue to monitor the vibration data closely during construction and operation of the wind turbines. We require the company to conduct additional water quality assessments and we’re keeping an eye on this.
*WCO note: one of the key parts of the decision on the Ostrander Point wind power project, where the approval was rescinded by the Environmental Review Tribunal, is that wind power is not a “necessity” and does not trump everything. The approvals of wind power projects must achieve balance between the development of renewable energy and preservation of the environment.
44 Comments
Andre Lauzon
If the Liberals keep on saving so much in Health costs maybe they should cancel the shameful MGuinty health tax. And please Minister, what are the environmental costs?
Sommer
Pity the sincere representatives of the people who are honestly trying to protect their constituents. They deserve credit.
What on earth will it take to get through to this government?
JoeJoe
“…shameful Mc Guinty health tax.” As compared to the attack on our health care under the previous government? Remember hospital closings? Put more money into health care because it is needed. And that money comes from one source, taxpayers.
Notinduttondunwich
Keep telling you guys in CK to draw 10000 Litres of that sh!twater and take it to queens park in Taranta!!!… ask if the honourable Mr.Ballard or her majesty Premier Kathleen Wynne to drink a 500 ml bottle!!! Again such a ludicrous statement that wind power plants are a necessity!!!
Notinduttondunwich
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/toronto/hydro-one-meters-1.4416907
There it is folks!!!!
My question is why would you offer a customer a prepay meter and then state that if you run out you wont be disconnected!!???
Something definitely up with that plan!!!
Barbara
Will credit cards be accepted if the prepays run out?
Notinduttondunwich
http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/2017/11/17/residents-continue-to-seek-answers-over-damaged-wells-in-wind-farm-area
Notinduttondunwich
Wont be neccesary Barbara…. hydro one states that they will not disconect the customer if the credits run out…
whooper
Hilarious video on Hydro…..(and so true!)
https://www.facebook.com/OntarioProud/videos/2005966066348160/
Sommer
Minister Ballard needs to read this article and the comments:
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2017/11/24/after-the-catastrophe-signal-when-science-entered-the-policy-greenhouse/
He is out of touch with reality.
Barbara
New York State, Oct.8, 2015
Re: Mentions Ontario and Quebec transition to clean energy.
https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-joined-vice-president-gore-announces-new-actions-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions
Easy, get power from Ontario?
Barbara
EIA: New York State Energy Profile
Scroll down to:
Analysis / Overview, updated July 21, 2017
“More than half New York’s energy is supplied from other states and Canada.”
Renewable Energy
“About four-fiths of net renewable generation in New York comes from hydroelectricity …”
https://www.eia.gov/state/print.php?sid=NY
Barbara
EIA / Michigan State Energy Profile
Updated: May 18, 2017
https://www.eia.gov/state/print.php?sid=MI
Barbara
EIA / Pennsylvania State Energy Profile
Updated July 20, 2017
https://www.eia.gov/state/print.php?sid=PA
These are available for every state in the U.S. Just use CA for California.
Barbara
MIT CEEPR, May 10, 2016
Re: Emissions trading and carbon market linkage in Canada and the U.S.
‘Emissions Trading in North America and Beyond’
Ontario mentioned in this news article.
http://ceepr.mit.edu/news/67
Barbara
U.S. Embassy & Consulates In Canada, June 23, 2016
Re: Climate policy
https://ca.usembassy.gov/ambassador-heymans-remarks-north-american-climate-policy-forum
Includes photo.
Barbara
Duke University / Nicholas Institute, Sept.2, 2014
News
Re: Brian Murray (Duke University) & University of Ottawa
‘Murray Earns Prestigious Fulbright Award’
Includes photo.
https://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/articles/murray-earns-prestigious-fulbright-award
Barbara
Clean Energy and Mission Innovation, June 1-2, San Francisco, CA
Mission Innovation
Accelerating the Clean energy Revolution
Mission Innovation: Announced November 30, 2015, Paris
Member Participation: Click on a country on the map for more information.
Includes Canada.
http://www.mission-innovation.net
Barbara
Government of Canada
Backgrounder: ‘Mission Innovation’, November 30, 2015
Canada joined.
More information at:
https://www.canada.ca/en/natural-resources-canada/news/2016/03/mission-innovation.html?wbdisable=true
Barbara
METI / Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan
Re: ‘Mission Innovation’ meeting San Francisco, CA, June 1-2, 2016
Some 20 countries attended.
Information at:
http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2016/0603_05.html
Barbara
Gov. Quebec, April 11, 2016, Cambridge, MA
Re: MIT CEEPR
”Emissions Trading in North America and Beyond: Taking Stock’
Includes participants and sponsorship.
http://www.international.gouv.qc.ca/en/boston/activites/17555
Barbara
Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition / CPLC
Governance Team at:
https://www.carbonpricingleadership.org/governance
Members include government and private sector
Barbara
UN Environment / Climate Initiatives Platform
Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition
Start year: 2015
Webpage has more information on the CPLC.
http://climateinitiativesplatform.org/index.php/Carbon_Pricing_Leadership_Coalition
Barbara
Government of Canada, July 15, 2016
Backgrounder
‘Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition’
Initiated 2014 & launched at COP21 at the end of 2015.
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/news/2016/07/carbon-pricing-leadership-coalition.html
Barbara
UNFCCC
Re: ‘Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition’, 2014
Note: Other organizations information related to the CPLC.
http:/newsroom.unfccc.int/lpaa/business/united-nations-global-compact-business-leadership-criteria-on-carbon-pricing
Barbara
Correction: CPLC
http://newsroom.unfccc.int/lpaa/business/united-nations-global-compact-business-leadership-criteria-on-carbon-pricing
Barbara
Government of Canada
‘Federal Actions For A Clean Growth Economy’, c. 2016, 29 pages
Archived
P.9: Pricing Carbon Pollution & CPLC is included information.
http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/eccc/En4-293-2016-eng.pdf
Barbara
International Monetary Fund (IMF), October 19, 2015
Press Release No. 151473
‘Leaders Unite in Calling for a Price on Carbon Ahead of Paris Climate Talks’
Re: CPLC
https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2015/09/14/01/49/pr15473
Barbara
CA.Gov, 10-19-2015
Re: CPLC to be launched in Paris, Nov.30, 2015 and the IMF “Carbon Pricing Panel” Oct. 2015.
https://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=19169
Barbara
The World Bank, May 4, 2017
Feature Article
‘CPLC Nurtures Leadership on Carbon Pricing’
Article also mentions California, Quebec and Ontario.
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2017/05/04/cplc-nurtures-leadership-on-carbon-pricing
Barbara
CA.Gov, 4-20-2017
‘Mexico And Canada Join Growing Under 2 Climate Coalition’
Includes: Photo Captions.
https://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=19757
Barbara
MIT News, May 20, 2016
‘MIT Joins Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition’
Re: CPLC
http://news.mit.edu/2016/mit-joins-carbon-pricing-leadership-coalition-world-bank-imf-0520
Barbara
Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition / CPLC
‘High Level Commission on Carbon Prices’
Re: New High-Level Commission and new Co- Chairs of this Commission.
http://www.carbonpricingleadership.org/highlevel-economic-commission-1
Barbara
World Bank Blogs
Re: Gov. Jerry Brown, California
Also note other featured bloggers.
https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/jerry-brown
Barbara
Carbon pricing and related issues and organizations information are all over the internet and known world-wide.
Barbara
Potsdam Institute For Climate Impact & Research, Germany, May 29, 2017
‘Carbon Pricing Report launched by leading economists’
Canada mentioned.
http://www.pik-potsdam.de/news/in-short/carbon-pricing-report-launched-by-leading-economists
Webpage has a link to the CPLC Report, 54 pages.
Barbara
UN Global Compact
‘Put a price on carbon’
Re: Carbon pricing and shifting investment.
Note: IWTs as a backgrounder on this webpage.
http://www.unglobalcompact.org/take-action/action/carbon
Barbara
MIT CEEPR
‘Multilateral Linkage of Emissions Trading Systems’, 5 May 2016
References p.21: Provides emissions trading information links to other organizations.
http://ceepr.mit.edu/files/papers/16-009.pdf
Barbara
Business Climate Leaders (BCL), June 2017
‘Carbon Pricing Supporters’
Re: the CPLC
Supporters list at:
http://www.businessclimateleaders.org/carbon-pricing-supporters
Barbara
MIT CEEPR, May 10, 2016
Conference
‘Emissions Trading in North America and Beyond’
Includes sponsorship and participants at:
http://ceepr.mit.edu/news/67
Barbara
Potsdam Institute For Climate Impact Research, Dec.8, 2017
News
‘Transition to wind and solar could be achieved with low indirect greenhouse gas emissions’
At:
http://www.pik-potsdam.de/news/press-releases/transformation-to-wind-and-solar-could-be-achieved-with-low-indirect-greenhouse-gas-emissions
Barbara
UN IPCC / (SRREN), Published January 2012
By Chapter
‘Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation (SRREN)’
Has chapter on wind and/or select any chapter.
http://www.ipcc.ch/report/srren
Barbara
IPCC
‘Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change’
By chapter
Chapter 7: “Energy Systems”
http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg3
Notinduttondunwich
http://Www.gridwatch.ca
Under wind or power plants
22 of the wind power plant projects in Ontario are currently running at or exceeding nameplate capacity…
Use this as evidence to prove MOECC and the government is failing to protect the citizens of Ontario…..