New wind power projects? Ontario communities say, No, and “We want change”

One Ontario municipality refreshes its Unwilling Host commitment while another takes issue with the entire proposal process

October 21, 2024

Several interesting developments occurred last week as we get nearer to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) next procurement, the Long-Term 2-Request For Proposals or LT2-RFP.

The Municipality of Perth South apparently received numerous queries from the public about new industrial wind power site proposals, and reports from property owners that they have been approached by wind power developers prospecting for leases.

Council revisited its 2013 Unwilling Host declaration at a recent meeting and decided that yes, the municipality would remain an Unwilling Host.

From a story in Stratford Today is this report:

‘Chief Administrative Officer Fred Tranquilli said in an email, “In the past 3-4 months, some Perth South residents reported to councillors that they have been visited by individuals investigating interest in siting an IWT on their property.”

In response, council requested information be posted in regards to the unwilling host resolution that was adopted by council in June of 2013. 

The Mayor in June of 2013, was Robert Wilhelm who said during a meeting that he was opposed to the municipality hosting the IWT’s “due to lack of control for the municipality in the IWT process.”

Council members also expressed that they were not in favour of IWT’s in Perth South

Former councillor Jim Aitcheson (the current Perth South mayor, who is on a leave of absence) moved a motion ‘that council supports the not a willing host for IWT resolution.’ The motion was seconded by councillor Don Henderson, and carried by a council vote. ‘

The original Unwilling Host resolution in Perth South was passed because the council objected to the lack of control over the process by municipalities.

That situation has now changed, of course, as a Municipal Support Resolution is mandatory for any proposal to received a contract from the IESO.

While an Unwilling Host declaration is a sign of a community’s wishes, it hasn’t stopped wind power developers from making their pitch anyway, in the hopes they can get a support resolution for their specific project.

Change to process needed

The push for support has run up against an obstacle in Zorra Township too, where last week saw two important events: a community meeting at which residents attending were overwhelming opposed to at least one proposal for a new industrial wind power site; and, a Council meeting in which council unanimously voted on a message to the IESO.

Mayor Marcus Ryan put forth a motion that stated Zorra would not be issuing any municipal support resolutions as long as the IESO process remains as it is—the idea that an agricultural impact assessment (AIA) would come after a municipal support resolution doesn’t make sense the mayor said.

Municipalities need more information before they can make any decision on a question that is so important, like new power generation sites.

In a report carried in the Woodstock Sentinel, the message is clear:

“Zorra Township council has voted unanimously not to support a potential wind turbine project or any such future development in the community.

The motion said it was halting approval of wind turbine projects until the Energy Ministry and Independent Electricity System Operator, which co-ordinates Ontario’s power system, change the procurement process to better inform municipalities about agricultural, health, environmental and other impacts.

‘The province has these answers about these things (and) I can’t get that information . . . so I’m not going to make this decision when I can’t answer to it for residents,’ said Zorra Mayor Marcus Ryan. ‘This process does not allow this council to be informed before it makes a decision, so we’re not going to make one.’ “

Late

The IESO LT2-RFP process is already behind schedule as several important issues remain in discussion, chiefly the question of whether wind turbines can be located on prime agricultural land. The wind power lobby is pushing for yes on that question, while municipalities prefer to protect prime food-producing land. The Provincial Policy Statement is under review, but prioritizes the protection of prime agricultural land.

And in a recent “engagement” session online, a representative of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy alleged that the entire RFP process was in violation of Section 35 of the Constitution, the duty to consult indigenous peoples.

At present, proponents of new power projects can achieve more points for the rated criteria by having the support of indigenous people but it is not apparent that there is any requirement for that support to come from the people on whose traditional land the proposed project would be located.

There are 159 municipalities in Ontario that have passed a resolution stating they are Unwilling Hosts to new industrial wind power sites. See the list of municipalities here.

contact@windconcernsontario.ca

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