Dreams have been replaced with worry

I have a dream! A future where our children are able to enjoy the sounds of nature, birds singing, crickets chirping, frogs croaking and the sound of wind in the swaying tree branches. The night-time fireflies blinking and the heavens display of twinkling stars.

Yes, I live in the country, and these simple pleasures bring joy and harmony to my soul. With Toronto, Barrie, Brampton and London within a two hours drive, our farmland supplies both local markets and cities with food and water.

But within the last three years my dreams have been replaced with worry. Wind tower industrialization is compacting our croplands due to vibration and reducing water conductivity and fertility in our soils. Also, 40 ready-mix trucks of reinforced concrete per turbine base, crack bedrock and divert water flow.

There are many reasons I don't like wind turbine industrialization on our rural croplands. I don't like the fact they blink red all night long and take away people's enjoyment of viewing the stars. I don't like how homes near wind farms are depreciating 20% to 25% in value, and some won't sell at all. (Sun Times April 9, 2009)

I don't like the fact that people are getting sick from the low frequency vibration, and experiencing sleepless nights, tinnitus, and all the other medical problems as revealed by Dr. Nina Pierpont and Dr. McMurtry.

I don't like the annoying swishing sound that results every time the blade passes the tower. Barbara Ashbee explained the fact she will "never hear natural wind again, it is always this mechanical noise, whatever the wind conditions low wind, medium wind or high wind"

I don't like how people's safety is being jeopardized. The turbines only shut down after ice is thrown. The flicker effect of the blades cutting the sun's rays along with their movement pose a driving hazard, since people are distracted while driving.

I don't like the fact farmers have more rights than the small property owner, rights given to them by wind turbine developers. First, they get to decide if they want turbines or not. Second, they get to decide where on their property they want the turbines placed. Thirdly, they usually put them on the edge of their farm fields, which infringes on the peaceful enjoyment of neighbors. Fourth, they receive money from the developer. Fifth, the adjoining neighbour gets no rights or input.

I don't like the fact the setbacks are wrong. They are supposed to be two kilometres away from people's homes, but instead they are 350 to 450 metres to people's back doors (not their property line).

I don't like that Energy Minister Smitherman has a closed-door policy to anyone who objects. Unless you have an invitation from the wind turbine developer you are not welcome at ribbon cutting ceremonies and photo opportunities for completed wind developments. This occurred for both the Melancthon One and Two projects and the Enbridge ribbon cutting ceremony near Kincardine. People were threatened with trespassing charges, if they entered onto the private wind turbine property.

I don't think that wind turbines should be classed with other environmentally friendly energy sources like solar and biomass. These other forms of green energy don't have all the negatives associated with them. Wind power is an entity unto itself.

I don't like the fact turbines require almost three barrels of synthetic turbine oil that is hazardous to water and is changed twice per year.

I don't like the fact airdromes were not mentioned in our ESR in Melancthon, yet there were three or four. They now receive no protection.

Wind turbines are not reducing carbon levels. Disrupting peat by laying underground cables increases the release of carbon. We have only to look at Denmark for the truth.

"The Green Energy Act is draconian and severely flawed. Despite decades of experience and 60,000 wind turbines worldwide, there is no scientific evidence that indicates wind power has any significant impact on the reduction of greenhouse gases.

Denmark, with more than 6,000 turbines generating 19% of its electricity, has yet to close a single fossil-fuel plant. It requires 50% more coal-generated electricity to cover wind's unpredictability. Carbon dioxide emissions have risen (by 36% in 2006 alone). The head of Denmark's largest energy utility tells us that "wind turbines do not reduce carbon dioxide emissions." Der Spiegel reports that "Germany's C02 emissions haven't been reduced by even a single gram." Globally, wind energy contributes less than 1% to the reduction of greenhouse gasses."

I don't like the fact Melancthon One and Two turbines failed the noise level tests. They are only supposed to be 40 dBA at night while people are sleeping, yet they are coming back with results of 60 dBA in daytime. The night noise is louder due to increased winds at hub height. The MOE models are wrong and they are doing nothing but approving wind developments through their signature on Certificates of Approval.

I don't like the fact citizens are not being listened to. At the Dundalk open house the crowd wanted our Council to hold off on their approvals for Melancthon Phase Two until problems with Phase One were resolved. This was not done. The approvals continued regardless of people's knowledge of Phase One Problems.

I don't like how the open houses are run. With display posters placed around the room, and Stantec and Burnside marketing representatives there to field questions, their open houses are in my opinion a waste of time. The truth will only be revealed at open forums.

Decommissioning regulations were not clearly stated for Phase One Melancthon. They were added after the report was released.

Even the roads and bases for the turbine were approved for construction before the Melancthon OMB hearing.

Is Government going to lay the foundation for future generations to live with a dream or a nightmare?

Joan Lever