Windy discussion

Green energy is the future for Ontario, says Mayor Lynn Peterson, a staunch backer of Horizon Wind’s controversial $75-million wind-farm project, slated for the Nor’Wester Mountain Range.

The issue, which has drawn the ire of many Neebing residents, concerned about property values, health hazards and aesthetics, is opposed by two-thirds of the ward’s residents – though a recent study commissioned by Horizon show a similar number citywide are in favour of the project.

Peterson, who voted in favour of the project, said Thunder Bay has an opportunity to join the green energy movement in a big way – though she’s not ready to give Horizon Wind carte blanche approval just yet.

"I believe very strongly that we must find more environmentally sustainable energy sources," Peterson said, when asked for her position on the project.

"That means there will be more wind, solar and biomass energy in our future. (But) council has requested and given authority to administration to engage an expert to review information and requested with respect to financial data on each turbine, view-sheds from Horizon to make an informed decision."
Opposition to the project is why Jeff Irwin threw his name into the ring in the first place,

Irwin, an energy consultant, said the plan to erect 18 turbines on the mountain range makes absolutely no economic sense, and that subsidizing Horizon’s connection costs to the grid through rate increases is unfair to the paying public, especially when he contends there is a 40 per cent surplus of green energy in the region already.

"Why should we put any company here at a major competitive disadvantage? Look at the rates in Manitoba, Quebec and Minnesota. They are half what they are here. We have a 100 per cent reliable, 24-hour, 365-day a year water-driven system that kept the lights on when the lights were out for days in Toronto, and now someone has the brilliant idea that we should replace it with a 20 per cent reliable system at twice the current rate so we can go even deeper into debt than we already are," Irwin said.

First-time mayoral candidate Keith Hobbs said he thinks the project has been mismanaged at the city level from the minute is was first proposed by Horizon.

"I have a real concern about the wind farm, first and foremost," he said at the recent candidates’ forum held at the Lakehead Labour Centre, adding he thinks a lot more study and thought was needed before the project should have been given the green light by council.

"I think the wind park is a prime example of the tail wagging the dog," he said, responding to a statement by a voter who suggested council rubberstamps everything that comes before them. "Somebody definitely didn’t do their homework on that project."

Colin Burridge said he really wishes the wind farm issue had been dealt with one way or another before the election campaign began.

It’s a mess on its own and it clouding other, more important issues he’d like to see come to the forefront.

"I’m pro wind farm, but not necessarily where it’s going. I think the public should have their opinion (heard). It should be put on the ballot. Do we want it? Do we not? And just bite the bullet either way it goes," Burridge said. "I understand it’s going to be a mess either way, but it’s up to the public. It is a costly venture and it’s going to affect everybody.

Frank Pullia said there are still plenty of questions to be answered before anything should be finalized.

"While I support green energy, this project is not a yes or no answer because it has many components," Pullia said. "One are of concern is the decommissioning costs that have not been secured and would leave the taxpayers exposed for millions of dollars."

Brian Kwasny, on the other hand, would like to stop it in its tracks.

"The wind farm is too close to the public," he said. "The wind farm causes too many health issues than it’s worth. Since this is the Liberal’s idea, put the wind farm by (Premier) Dalton McGuinty’s home."