Scarborough Mirror: New setbacks for offshore wind projects may quash wind farm proposal
Scarborough Mirror: New setbacks for offshore wind projects may quash wind farm proposal
Danielle Milley
Recently released provincial setbacks for offshore wind projects could quash Toronto Hydro’s wind farm proposal, but Guildwood residents aren’t giving up their fight.
In an announcement Friday, June 25, the provincial government released proposed regulations for offshore wind projects that would require a minimum setback of five kilometres from the shoreline.
The Toronto Hydro project has always been talked about as being two to four kilometres offshore as Lake Ontario drops off around the five kilometre mark, which could substantially increase the cost of the project.
But, John Laforet doesn’t believe these regulations would stop turbines from being erected off the Scarborough Bluffs.
“I have absolutely no faith that the provincial proposed regulations will stop the Toronto Hydro project,” he said.
“Toronto Hydro is not saying this project is dead.”
Laforet is the president of Wind Concerns Ontario, a Guildwood resident and a candidate for municipal council in Scarborough East.
He believes the proposals are just a way of placating a community where many residents are upset about the possibility of a wind farm of up to 60 turbines that would stretch from Ajax to the Leslie Street Spit.
Brad Duguid, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, had been in discussion with Toronto Hydro about the proposed regulations.
“From what I’ve heard from Toronto Hydro this does put the project at risk,” he said.
Toronto Hydro said Monday it is still reviewing the regulations and wouldn’t have a comment before The Mirror’s press deadline.
On June 10, in an interview during a press tour to see the anemometer, which is currently testing wind speeds in the lake, Joyce McLean of Toronto Hydro said she believed if the project went ahead it would conform to any provincial standards.
“We’re not concerned because we believe what we’re proposing is a reasonable distance from shore,” she said.
Duguid said the five kilometres setback is in line with other North American jurisdictions.
“We looked at a number of different priorities,” he said. “We wanted something that was in synch with other jurisdictions in the Great Lakes.”
Ohio, New York and Michigan all have a five kilometre setback in place, he said.
As well, Duguid said the government looked at the environmental and ecological impacts of allowing wind turbines closer to shore.
“There can be impacts to drinking water with stirring up the lake bed,” he said.
Sherri Lange thinks that should be a concern for putting a turbine anywhere in bodies of water used as drinking water.
“We’re very firm that we don’t want turbines in the lake,” she said.
Lange is the founding director of Toronto Wind Action.
“We’re disappointed the minute someone has a setback announcement, it means they’re willing to put turbines in the lake and that’s not acceptable,” she said.
Just like Laforet she doesn’t believe this announcement kills Toronto Hydro’s project either.
“There’s no white flag that I can sense,” Lange said. “Our battles with Toronto Hydro are certainly not over.”
Duguid thought these regulations would ease worries of Ontario’s residents, especially those in Guildwood, but it seems it hasn’t provided that reassurance.
“This should be viewed as a positive step forward in terms of bringing stability in the process of offshore wind,” he said.
He did admit applications could be approved that don’t conform with the regulations.
“I’m not positive that there wouldn’t be opportunities to make exceptions,” Duguid said.
In addition to the setback, another proposed rule would require turbine developers to complete a comprehensive application process. This would include addressing potential impacts to endangered and threatened species and their habitat, significant wildlife habitats, users of Crown land, flooding and erosion.
At the same time, the Ministry of Natural Resources is undertaking a review of Ontario’s current process for making Crown land available for off-shore wind projects. This review will include consideration of where, when and how the government makes Crown land available. The area in Lake Ontario is Crown land.
The province is seeking comments on the proposals for the next 60 days, accessible through the province’s environmental registry (registry number 011-0089). Public and industry consultation sessions will also be held starting in the fall.
Dates and locations will be available soon at www.ontario.ca
Tags: Guildwood, Offshore Wind Regulations, Scarborough Mirror, Toronto Hydro Offshore Wind, Ward 43
