South Marysburgh councillor Steve Ferguson listens to recorded vote on wind power resolution at the council meeting on March 8, 2016. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
Prince Edward County is joining 58 other municipalities in supporting the Township of Wainfleet’s resolution to Premier Kathleen Wynee asking the province cancel the request for proposal for added wind power generation.
At its meeting Tuesday night, council unanimously voted 13-0 to support the resolution to the Premier with copies being sent to Minister of Energy the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party Patrick Brown, Leader of the NDP Andrea Horwath, Niagara West-Glanbrook MPP Tim Hudak, Welland MPP Cindy Forster, Bay of Quinte MP Neil Ellis and Prince Edward Hastings MPP Todd Smith.
South Marysburgh councillor Steve Ferguson put the resolution on the floor stating the Electrical System Operator has indicated that they want to provide additional contractors of renewable energy.
“Time is of the essence, Ferguson said indicating he has heard that some of these projects may include the County. “We could be looking at a White Pines 2.”
He said proponents like Algonquin Power have been “sniffing around.”
“There are two reasons why we need to support this,” he went on to say. “We are one of two municipalities in Ontario that have had project appeals upheld (Ostrander Point & WPD White Pines) because of the effect they will have on endangered species. Two, new projects will have a negative effect on our tourism and business growth. Plus the added strains on infrastructure particularly our roads.”
The resolution list began about two months ago and Ferguson said it is gaining momentum.
Of the 58 on the list Tweed, Loyalist, Lennox and Addington County, North Kawartha, Peterborough, Ganaoque, Leeds and Grenville County are supporting the resolution.
