Editorial: MPP Mauro makes plea

The ball is in the province’s court.  MPP Bill Mauro once again this week threw down the gauntlet, pleading with his Liberal cabinet colleagues to reconsider Horizon Wind Inc.’s plan to build turbines on the Nor’Wester Mountain range.

Mauro cited a letter, crafted earlier this year by former Natural Resources Minister Linda Jeffrey, that states based on what she’s seen, there’s no way the province could OK a renewable energy application.

Though Horizon denies it has resubmitted an REA to the Ministry of the Environment, one will be forthcoming in the near future, Mauro says.

It’s his desire to have newly installed Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle, and Environment Minister Jim Bradley, start thinking about the project now.

The bad blood alone in the community between residents, city councillors and Horizon – who a year ago was suing Thunder Bay taxpayers for $126 million – suggests the company might be best off to cut its losses and try a different location.

While the turbines do have their supporters in the city, it seems more and more people, and not just those living in nearby Neebing Ward, are starting to think they might not be such a good idea after all.

Gravelle and Bradley should not make the same mistake made by council when the project was initially approved, and nip this one in the bud before it’s too late.