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Opponents file appeal against Goulais wind farm project

Save Ontario’s Algoma Region (SOAR) has voiced its support for an appeal launched by Heyden resident Doug Moseley regarding the Ontario government's approval of the Goulais Wind Farm project.

Save Ontario’s Algoma Region (SOAR) has voiced its support for an appeal launched by Heyden resident Doug Moseley regarding the Ontario government's approval of the Goulais Wind Farm project.

The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) gave the go ahead October 4 to SP Development Limited Partnership to build the renewable energy facility, consisting of 11 wind turbines designed to generate a total capacity of 25 MW, in the unorganized Townships of Pennefather and Aweres.

The wind facility will be connected to Great Lakes Power’s distribution system.

According to a news release issued Tuesday October 22 by SOAR, Moseley met the appeal deadline and has requested a hearing from the Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT), with the help of Lake Superior Action Research Conservation (LSARC) and the law offices of Eric Gillespie. 

SOAR and LSARC both oppose industrial wind development, not only in Algoma but also province-wide, insisting wind turbines are harmful to human health, a disruption to wildlife and the environment, as well as costly and inefficient when it comes to power generation.

SOAR has stated the appearance of wind farms will be an eyesore inflicted on the natural beauty of the Algoma landscape, in an area many tourists enjoy and which is famous for providing inspiration for the Group of Seven's legendary Canadian paintings.

Both groups also claim the province, through its 2009 Green Energy Act, has taken away the right of municipalities to approve or disapprove wind farm projects, treads on environmental protection legislation, and enables wind farm developers to minimize and disregard public input concerning wind farm development.  

Anyone appealing the process, such as Moseley, have to provide evidence of claims that a wind farm will be harmful to human health, wildlife and the environment.  

SOAR's Executive Member Gillan Richards, in a press release, states anyone wishing to take part in the appeal of the Goulais Wind Project may contact LSARC Co-Chair George Bowne at [email protected]

SOAR's website can be found at www.savealgoma.org


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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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