Court Supports Offshore Wind Regulations in Ontario (Canada)

The wind energy industry in Ontario is pleased with today’s Ontario Divisional Court decision to uphold the current regulations for wind turbine setbacks. The application by Ontario resident Ian Hanna suggested, among other things, that the government did not adhere to their own Statement of Environmental Values (SEV) in developing a setback of 550 metres for the siting of wind turbines. The Court ruled that set-back distances were established through an extensive public consultation process which considered the views of a wide range of stakeholders and that the Minister did consider the SEV.

“The wind energy industry is committed to the responsible and sustainable development of wind energy in Ontario and across the country. We have stated from the outset that this application had no merit and should not have been brought before the court,” said Robert Hornung, president of CanWEA. “Ontario’s set-back regulations are among the most stringent in the world and are designed to protect the health and safety of the public. CanWEA member companies ensure they are in compliance with all regulatory requirements.”

The balance of expert scientific and medical information to date clearly indicates there is no direct link between wind turbines and effects on human health, said Hornung. This is backed, he points out, by the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health as well as the National Public Health Institute in Quebec, and a growing body of peer-reviewed scientific and medical information.

“As a responsible industry, we will continue to receive and review new and credible information as it is made available,” said Hornung.

Wind energy’s growing contribution to Ontario’s electricity supply is making Ontario a leader in green energy production, and bringing much-needed jobs and economic opportunities to local communities.

About the Canadian Wind Energy Association

CanWEA is the voice of Canada’s wind energy industry, actively promoting the responsible and sustainable growth of wind energy on behalf of its more than 450 members. A national non-profit association, CanWEA serves as Canada’s leading source of credible information about wind energy and its social, economic and environmental benefits. To join other global leaders in the wind energy industry, CanWEA believes Canada can and must reach its target of producing 20 per cent or more of the country’s electricity from wind by 2025.

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Source: canwea, March 04, 2011