The possibilities of developing Ontario’s largest wind farm have gone under clouds, with a family filing a case to immediately stop construction of the facility, reports CTV News.
Documents filed by Shawn and Tricia Drennan states their concerns about the harm the 140-turbine K2 Wind project near Goderich, Ontario may cause them.
The Drennans have requested the Court for an injunction against the ongoing construction of the facility pending resolution of a plea against the project.
The family has quoted a study conducted by Health Canada on the impact industrial wind projects create on residents staying nearby the site.
Ultimately, the government is treating the accusers as guinea pigs for the sake of green energy, and the fear is intensified by the information that Ontario Ministry of the Environment has placed a freeze on off-shore wind turbines as the environmental impact on fishes are still unclear, highlights the petition.
However, the appeal will be heard before the turbines become operational and hence there is no immediate health threat warranting a stay. In case the work is hindered, appellants will have to cover the damage.
Joining them with a similar case from London are the Dixon and Ryan families, who are fighting a 15-turbine St. Columban wind project near Seaforth with an argument on the construction noise that may hurt their daughter, suffering from hearing hypersensitivity.
Both K2 Wind Ontario and St. Columban Energy argue that their projects are safe with permits, and that stopping construction will suffer financial consequences. The projects were approved after two years of planning and environmental studies.
The Environment Ministry has approved the $850-million K2 and the smaller St. Columban project.
Ontario has witnessed several fights over wind farms. Citizens are opposed to them on the grounds that they cause illness, are an eyesore, lower property values, and are pushing up the price of electricity.
These families together have appealed to the Environmental Review Tribunal, which upheld the approvals and found no proof of wind turbines are causing any health hazard to those living nearby.
In addition, the 92-turbine Armow wind farm near Kincardine has joined forces to appeal the tribunal decisions, which is expected before Divisional Court in mid-November.
In another case, a nine-turbine wind farm development south of Picton is planning to go before court in December.