The Windy City
Posted on June 25, 2008, by Harvey Kirkpatrick
Filed Under Environment, Events
A while back, I was fortunate enough to see Chris Brown perform at a special Apple Crisp event, which was recorded for CBC’s Bandwidth. In between songs, Chris gave a shout out to Wolfe Island Residents for the Environment (WIRE), whose mission is to ensure the lawful development of a proposed wind farm on the Island. Later, I spoke to Chris about recording a special podcast about WIRE, which never became a reality as a result of my busy schedule. This week, sustainable energy came to the forefront in Kingston as the 7th World Wind Energy Conference commenced at St. Lawrence College. As the world (minus federal Canadian representatives) comes to Kingston to promote and develop sustainable wind energy policy and projects, I couldn’t help but think about how the proposed Wolfe Island project could negatively impact the environment.
Doesn’t that seem paradoxical? In a time where squeaky clean sustainable energy, and super green initiatives are struggling to combat global warming, the Wolfe Island wind farm could actually harm the environment. In case you haven’t been following this story, the Province of Ontario, despite MNR and Environment Canada raising significant alarm, is set to allow a large company to build 86 turbines in environmentally sensitive areas on Wolfe Island. WIRE has contested the project from day one based on the negative impact wind turbines could have on provincially significant wetlands, threatened species habitats, and bird migration. Thus far, their complaints, and the caution raised by MNR and Environment Canada have fallen on deaf ears.
Perfectly timed with this week’s World Wind Energy Conference, an Alternative Energy Concert and Radio Show is being hosted tonight at 8:30pm at the Grad Club. Presented by Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and CFRC, hosts Sarah Harmer and Sarah McDermott will interview experts, and discuss the issues surrounding the Wolfe Island wind project. In addition, some local musicians will perform a free concert, and we’re optimistic that Harmer will take the stage.
Even if you can’t make it out, we urge you to read up on WIRE’s concerns regarding the proposed wind farm, and if you agree, take action by writing our local MPP, Hon. John Gerretsen, and all the other key players in this green fiasco. If you disagree with WIRE, and think that this is simply an “eco-myth“, we still want to hear what you’ve got to say. Remember, comments equal prizes!
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Friends & Supporters
I have to agree with the story you posted at Treehugger. Although I am all for protecting our feathered friends, I think that the expectations of WIRE are unrealistic, and unfounded. Everyone is all for green energy until it’s in their backyard. NIMBYism aside, the research does not tip the scale in WIRE’s favor. I say let’s put Kingston on the green map, it’s about damn time. Only when the project is complete can we truly measure the impact to the environment. Rest assured it will have an impact, but I don’t think it will be as bad as they make it out to be.