CKWS-TV
Community benefit fund no “windfall” says resident Peter Large. “The Township will need that money” to offset construction damage
 
LOYALIST TOWNSHIP STANDS TO RAKE IN SOME BIG BUCKS ONCE 26 WIND TURBINES ARE BUILT ON AMHERST ISLAND. THE TOWNSHIP HAS AUTHORIZED 2 KEY AGREEMENTS WITH THE POWER COMPANY. BUT RESIDENTS ARE CONCERNED THAT COUNCIL’S MOVE WAS PREMATURE — AND HOPING THERE’S STILL A CHANCE TO STOP THE GREEN ENERGY PROJECT. NEWSWATCH’S HEATHER SENORAN HAS THE DETAILS.
PETER LARGE HAS LIVED ON AMHERST ISLAND FOR 15 YEARS.  HE SAYS THE TOWNSHIP’S PLAN TO PUT CLOSE TO 30 WIND TURBINES ON THE ISLAND WOULD RUIN THE EXISTING HERITAGE, BE DANGEROUS TO THE COMMUNITY AND THREATEN WILD LIFE.
“TO HAVE 50 STOREY TALL TURBINES, THRUST INTO THAT COMMUNITY WITHOUT IT’S CONSENT. IT’S JUST NOT RIGHT.”
WINDLECTRIC’S 74.3 MEGAWATT ENERGY PROJECT WAS CONDITIONALLY APPROVED BY THE PROVINCE BACK IN AUGUST.  NOW LOYALIST TOWNSHIP COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A ROAD USE AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT WITH THE WIND POWER COMPANY.
“With the approval, we now have the framework to proceed with a constructive dialogue with Loyalist regarding the project’s detailed construction planning.”
TO OFFSET THE IMPACT OF THE WINDFARM, WINDLECTRIC WILL GIVE OVER 500 THOUSAND A YEAR.
SOMETHING THE TOWNSHIP’S DEPUTY MAYOR IS HOPING WILL BRING MORE PEOPLE ON SIDE.
“I HOPE IT PUTS RESIDENTS AT EASE. IT CERTAINLY PUTS ME AND I BELIEVE THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL AT EASE. BECAUSE IT DOES GIVE THE TOWNSHIP AN ELEMENT OF CONTROL. WITHOUT THAT, THERE’S NO ELEMENT OF CONTROL.”
BUT LARGE ISN’T SO SURE.
“THAT COMMUNITY BENEFIT WOULD BE NEEDED TO CLEAN UP THIS PLACE. REPLANT TREES, PUT ROAD SYSTEMS BACK THE WAY THEY SHOULD BE AND SO ONE. YOU CAN’T REALLY CALL IT A COMMUNITY BENEFIT. AMHERST ISLAND WILL NEED IT”
THE AGREEMENT STATES THE TOWNSHIP CAN DO WHATEVER IT WANTS WITH THE MONEY.
“The Benefit Fund can be used by Loyalist Township however it sees fit to benefit its residents.”
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS ARE STILL WORKING THAT OUT.
“WE’LL WAIT AND FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH IT, ONCE IT ACTUALLY STARTS FLOWING — IF AND WHEN THE PROJECT GOES FORWARD.”
“THE DEPUTY MAYOR OF LOYALIST TOWNSHIP SAYS, THE EARLIEST THE WIND PROJECT COULD BECOME SHOVEL READY IS THE SPRING OF 2016. BUT WITH NUMEROUS APPEALS STANDING IN THE WAY, HE ADMITS PLANS WILL LIKELY BE STALLED FURTHER.”
THE ASSOCIATION TO PROTECT AMHERST ISLAND LAUNCHED AN APPEAL OF THE PROJECT APPROVAL IN SEPTEMBER BUT THEY DON’T EXPECT TO FIND OUT IF IT’S APPROVED BY THE ENVIRONMENT REVIEW TRIBUNAL UNTIL MARCH OF NEXT YEAR. HEATHER SENORAN CKWS NEWSWATCH, AMHERST ISLAND.