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Wolfe Island Wind Turbines


 

  The following was received in mid-April:

Dear Susan,

I love your online magazine and appreciate all the wonderful work that you are doing for those of us who love the area; thank you for carrying on Paul Malo's work. I have lived in New York my whole life, have spent summers in the islands since 1964, and have owned a house on Dodge Bay in Cape Vincent since 1996. 

I feel that a curse has been put on the islands, and it has so colored my feelings for the area that I feel ill. As I'm close to Cape Vincent, the threat of the wind turbines continues to hang, literally, over my head. I wonder that the "thousand islands life" has not taken on this cause. The beauty of the islands and the history of the area has always been a large part of your magazine; have I missed your response to the threat to this irreversible change to our beauty? Why are there no photos of the horrific view from Tibbett's point in your gallery? I can only think that people really don't understand how real a threat the turbines are to our peaceful, bucolic lifestyle, let alone the irreparable damage to our environment.

Where are the voices of protest? There is a small group in Cape Vincent that was formed at the early onset of the disclosure of the land leases being signed, WPEG, and the group has fought tirelessly for ethical management of this issue. But now that the turbines are on Wolfe Island, I fear that we are doomed. I think it's time to step up the pace. Please take a stand and shout this out in your magazine; more voices must be heard, more publicity has to be put forward to stop this - please.

What are your thoughts?

Ann Levy, Cape Vincent NY

Ann is correct. TI Life should be doing something! It is crucial that all Thousand Island area year-round residents, summer-only residents, cruising sailors, and frequent visitors learn about wind farms and how they can affect our area.

The first wind farm, in the area, is on the north-west side of Wolfe Island, opposite Kingston.

Located on the NW end of Wolfe Island are 86 turbines which, by the end of June, will start producing sufficient energy to service about 75,000 homes. The wind farm is operated by Canadian Hydro Developers, Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary Canadian Renewable Energy Corporation (CREC).

The company’s web site provides answers in their “Frequently Asked Questions”.

 

Behind the controversy created by the Wolfe Island project is the larger story of wind power along the US shore of the St. Lawrence River. What if more wind farms are created? Would this push (ugly) development into relatively-unspoiled landscape of a region known for its scenic beauty?

We understand that plans are underway for the construction of 96 new towers in Cape Vincent, 95 in Clayton, and 75 in the Town of Hammond. If these projects come to fruition that would mean 266 towers along the shore of the St. Lawrence River. Driving these developments is a combination of improved technology, federal (Canadian/US) tax credits, the volatile cost of fossil fuels, and a growing market for green power in and across North America.

Installation of windmills is being encouraged by Provincial and State legislation that pays the supplier (the wind company) a tariff per kWh at above-market rates.  The concept is called Feed-in Tariff and is already in force in Ontario. It is being considered by several States in the United States and it is in use in California and Florida. The Feed-in Tariff system is a major form of subsidies to the generating companies.  

Many residents oppose these projects – Wolfe Island had its share of controversy and raucous debate. Each of the US town and village councils will debate the zoning, noise, and management of these large-scale projects. Any of them could well set a precedent for other towns in defining the future of wind power in our area. It is a fact not lost on the environmental community where location issues surrounding wind power have exposed deep controversy.

Concern began back in 2005 with the creation of the National Wind Watch, a coalition of groups and individuals concerned with the expansion of industrial wind energy development in developed areas.  The NWW website compiles  hundreds of new releases each day from around the world.  (a search using Cape Vincent, St. Lawrence County, NY or Wolfe Island, Kingston, ON  will garner important news articles relating to wind power in the Thousand Islands).

The two well organized groups in the Thousand Islands include the Concerned Residents of Hammond (CROH) and the Wind Energy Ethics Group in Cape Vincent.

Susie Wood, a year-round resident of Hammond, whose family are long-time summer residents of Chippewa Bay circulated a recent email.  Her advice is being taken seriously: "And please now, take a look at CROH's website. www.croh.org. CROH IS NOT ANTI-WIND. They are working to learn as much as possible about this type of power generation and the impact it might have on the town. They want what's best for the town. And they have lots of good information."

Community concerns

When the projects are completed, the turbines will be visible from numerous viewpoints along a 25-mile stretch of one of the most beautiful sections of St. Lawrence River. If you kayak, fish or cruise in your boat, you will be able to see these wind turbines: the Wolfe Island turbines are visible from the Admiralty Islands (off Gananoque) which are more than 12 miles to the east.

The CROH and WEEG website describe the concerns about noise, flicker, property value depreciation and heath.

To their members the economic and environmental costs must be determined and the final decisions for Wind Projects may prove to just be in the wrong place if built in the Thousand Islands.

Obviously wind-power projects need two things to be viable: a good wind source and access to power transmission lines. Making the decision that the Thousand Islands region is the right one is difficult.

TI Life cannot do either side justice in presenting the facts.  It is vital that you, as a TI Life Readers, do your homework.

Controversy in the Past

Islanders have faced controversy in the past with the birth of Save the River in the late 1970s when United States Army Corps of Engineers planned winter navigation on the St. Lawrence River and the St. Lawrence Seaway.  Organized under the name "Save the River", local citizens halted the process.

Also in 1975 the Canadian government officials announced plans to expand the St. Lawrence Islands National Park to take in 30-miles of islands.  The SLINP budget would expand to allow expropriation of  "all" Canadian islands, remove standing structures, and converting the islands into a wilderness park.  TIARA, the Thousand Islands Area Residents Association, successfully fought this effort.

Grassroots organizations on both sides of the River organized and fought these issues successfully.  They did so by becoming well informed and by combining their energies.

Conclusions?

The more you hunt for factual and up-to-date information, the more you will find.

An example is a search on Google News under the headings:  Wind Power New York State or Ontario, from Tuesday, April 21, 2009 to Friday, May 1. We have attached more than 25 articles published on those dates on PAGE 2.

And, take Susie Wood’s advice. Susie recommends you drive to Cape Vincent or Kingston ON and see the Wolfe Island Wind Project. Read, Read and Read. Once you have determined how a wind project would affect your community, let your elected officials know.  Contact township councils, Mayors, state and provincial governments and your federal representatives.  Your opinion is important and you must be involved.

By  Susan W. Smith, susansmith@thousandislandslife.com

 

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Comments

Louise Ford
Comment by: Louise Ford ( )
Left at: 6:44 AM Friday, May 15, 2009
I have not yet arrived for the summer at my home on head of Grindstone Island but having seen these photos and received e-mails from neighbors I guess this is now my view. I am ENRAGED. The St. Lawrence River, 1000 Islands area is one of the most beautiful places on earth. With these wind turbines that is now gone. GONE !

NOTHING about these wind turbines is sensible. They are destroying the scienery and DESTROY is NOT to harsh a word; These turbines produce so little energy that compared to other forms of power plants they are not even in the same league. Look how many of them they have to put up to produce so little ! The other forms of power plants do not cause the visual and audible damage that wind turbines do for such a large area. These things can be seen for miles and miles.

I live in England when not on the St. Lawrence and a few years ago the green movement pushed wind turbines to be built all over this beautiful country. In many cases they cost more money to keep running then the energy they produce. I don't think the building of them has stopped but it has certainly slowed down. People are realizing they are NOT a inconsequential, no impact to the environment, friendly form of producing energy, that the people pushing them want us to think they are.

This really is political and those of you who voted for Obama or any other Democrats HAVE TO OWN THIS. This is what you want.... NOW you have it. But isn't if funny that when it is in your own back or front yard you protest. It's ok for some poor saps in Oklahoma but not you !! Well YOU asked for it now you have it and from the sounds of it when NY gets theirs put up you won't be able to give your homes away ! If you think the economic situation has hurt the value of our properties before now they will tank and maybe never come back again if the 1000 Islands becomes the wind turbine center it seems SOME people want us to become.

Not that I am planning on selling up any time soon unless of course living with these awful things changes the environment to a point that might drive me away. I couldn't stand the huge communications towers the Canadians put up on Wolf and the Canadian main land. More visable at night then during the day. But this is MUCH MUCH worse !

Fighting them on the US side is a MUST ! And the Canadians should do all they can to at least stop them putting up any more. Is there a leader among us who can take this on ? Save the River is the natural choice are they interested? Do they have any real sway? I guess time will tell.
John Bourne
Comment by: John Bourne ( )
Left at: 10:02 AM Friday, May 15, 2009
One of the main problems with these windfarms, in this country, is the damage done to wildlife. Birds frequently fly into the blades, with disastrous consequences.

And they are so damned ugly!

JB
John Droz
Comment by: John Droz
Left at: 5:35 PM Saturday, May 16, 2009
My wife and I are frequent visitors to the TI area. It is indeed a treasured location.

As a physicist and long time environmental activist I can say that industrial wind energy does not cut it.

It is a technological, economic and environmental failure.

See my website for many independent studies that show how this is so. Make sure to look at my online presentation "http://www.WindPowerfacts.Info".
Joseph DeMeis
Comment by: Joseph DeMeis ( )
Left at: 10:52 PM Saturday, May 16, 2009
I am all for eliminating the windmills as the Thousand Island area ia a piece of heaven here in northern New York State. While we are at it why don't we tear down the cell phone towers as well since they are also a source of visual pollution.
Lilly Waters
Comment by: Lilly Waters ( )
Left at: 2:23 PM Sunday, May 17, 2009
My husband and I recently visited the TI area. Our immediate reaction to the windmills on Wolfe Island was my God how ugly is this!! We were in the area to look at possibly purchasing a property. There is no way we would ever consider that area at all now.

It also struck us that this may just be the beginning, where else where they planning to erect the windmills that we are not yet aware of.

My husband later commented that we are crazy allowing such a area to producers of wind power! There are plently of industrial areas along the great lakes that already exist! why not just incorporate the windmills into the existing industral areas? They should be erecting windmills next to existing nuclear power plants, cement plants, hydo stations etc. Why not line the 401 with windmills? or along side hydro towers?

I fear that those that are allowed to make these decisions for all of us are truly NOT thinking clearly.

Lilly Waters
Toronto
Joseph DeMeis
Comment by: Joseph DeMeis ( )
Left at: 7:02 PM Sunday, May 17, 2009
Lilly, that is an excellent idea that you have. I know in Buffalo there is a windmill farm at the site of the old Brthlehem Steel plant. Since New York State has easements on both the thruway and I-81 windmills could be placed there as well.
Ellen Jury
Comment by: Ellen Jury ( )
Left at: 11:32 AM Monday, May 18, 2009
There is an online petition which will be going to Governor Paterson soon asking for a moratorium on wind energy development. It can be found at

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/moratorium-on-wind-energy-development.html

Glen Grant
Comment by: Glen Grant ( )
Left at: 12:39 PM Monday, May 18, 2009
We have a cottage on the outside of CV the view across the river has been destroyed . It looks like an industrial area now when look across in the direct line of what used to be beautiful sunsets . Not to mention the 81 red lights that will be blinking in unison to destroy the night sky . We bought in the 1000's to have peace and quiet and for the beautiful views . That has been ruined forever . The whole deal with unethical behavior of the CV town board
just leaves you wondering what the state AG is doing ? The setbacks they want to use on the US is ridiculous , if they have their way we will have these monstrosities 1300 feet behind us . As another poster said property values will tank. No will want to buy any property near these things . I would rather have a nuclear plant 5 miles away than these ugly turbines .
God help us if these go up on the US side!!!
Janet Haskins
Comment by: Janet Haskins ( )
Left at: 3:17 PM Monday, May 18, 2009
We have a group of very dedicated people that are working to impact regulations and turbine placments. It is a small group up against company worth millions of dollers. However, EVERYONE ALL ALONG THE St. LAWRENCE should be involved and very concerned, and proactive. We are nearing the time when it may be too late. People MUST contact their state and Fedreal officials to save this scenic area.

Please please sign the petition and help us save the area.
Dan Colby
Comment by: Dan Colby ( )
Left at: 4:03 PM Tuesday, May 19, 2009
What a nightmare. Windmills are proven to be a mistake both in their economics and their technology. A Summer visitor to Thousand Islands for 49 years, I am crushed that this is happening. I'll sign anything that could help and call anyone willing and able to stop this madness.
Louise Ford
Comment by: Louise Ford ( )
Left at: 4:56 AM Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Nuclear energy is clean, VERY safe and MUCH MUCH MUCH more efficient. This is what we get for falling for all this green nonsense ! Today in England they have asked for a country wide moritorium on Wind Turbines because the environmental impact to everything from Peet Beds to wild life has proven to be severe ! If you read the comment from Mrs. Waters you will understand that IF any one wants to sell their land up here now you will be darn lucky to do so. And with HUNDREDS more of these things looming over our heads on the US side we can just forget about it. This coupled with my taxes having more then doubled last year makes staying not a very pleasant thought. I personally do not want to sell. I want my home back the way it should be. Not only should the turbine plans be squashed on the US side but we should FIGHT to have the Canadians take down those hideous things on Wolfe and NOT put up any more !
Nancy Lemble
Comment by: Nancy Lemble ( )
Left at: 9:23 AM Tuesday, May 26, 2009
I've been going to the River since I was nine when my parents bought their first cottage by Millens Bay, then close to the bridge and now in the village of Cape Vincent. Perfect view of those monsters looming over what had always been the most beautiful Wolfe Island. Well no more. Cape Vincent had better throw all their brochures away to take new photos and also new projected illustrations of what will be Cape Vincent very soon. The Cape will be a ghost town. Who will want to move to the Cape or think of buying? It went from the most idyllic time warped (in a good sense) perfect tiny country village being transformed to big corporations finest seizure of land. They have no one putting up a fight. In a town that small and the education level of its citizens Cape Vincent doesn't have a chance. It makes me sick to see people with wind power pro signs on their little properties. Here on Long Island the electric company tried for many years to put up turbines off the shore on the Atlantic Ocean. Luckily with all the lawyers, concerned citizens groups and all it never went through. You know it does turn out that it will cost a ton more than what's projected. Cape Vincent is being totally fooled by this company that is grateful it's citizens are so easy to manipulate. The few people whose land is being used are traiters to their ancestors. The little money they'd make is shameful to what they're doing to their tiny once quaint village. Cape Vincent might as well build a WalMart and bring in factories too. The Village board if I'm not misinformed are the same people who are profiting from this turbine deal. Where's the outrage there? Why doesn't the Watertown Times write articles on this conflict of interest? Yes I'm exactly a Not In My Backyard Person and the Cape Vincent people are a sorry bunch who are being walked over whether they know it or not. IF the turbines go through I'm sure they will all regret it. This is forever. Those monsters will be there for their generation, their childrens generation and I don't understand the passive response all these years already. Maybe only the summer residences can find a few lawyer residences who can stir up this little town and stop the rape of Cape Vincent. It seems like they can give Cape Vincent a little money and you can do anything to it. Shameful. I also would like to see Thousand Island Life do a series of articles on the grave future of the River.
We Oppose Windfarms dot org
Comment by: We Oppose Windfarms dot org ( )
Left at: 12:45 AM Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Dan Colby, I am a Danbury transplant...to Brandon, population 500. We banned turbines in February 2006. Tonight I took nasty pictures of turbines in Clinton County..I was surrounded, was like a horror show. I felt so enclosed, my gas pedal to the flooor, I can't get away quick enough. Between Altona and Clnton aka Churubusco, there are now 270 of these mosters. I get literally ill when I need to drive through them.. Wak up America, my grandkids want to know why you are handing them trash. They are the future of our community..being driven away :(. So sad.
Dan & Dorrie Szetela
Comment by: Dan & Dorrie Szetela ( )
Left at: 3:43 PM Wednesday, June 17, 2009
We had been dating only two months when Dan brought Dorrie (we were high school seniors) to Chippewa Bay. It was about Dan's 20th visit. Since age 8 he knew that this was where he belonged; where his life had the greatest meaning within God's creation.

Dorrie was quickly captured by the place and we agreed that, should we ever marrry, this is where we hoped to live, some day.

Twenty five years later, we bought a lot and built a little cottage. Ten years after that. it became our summer residence. Six more years passed before we could build a small addition and live here year 'round.

Today, we are living the dream we first shared 46 years ago. Health problems keep building and we know that our future will be far shorter than our past. So we enjoy each day and see it as a gift from God.

Our place--Legacy Cove--is on Chippewa Point. We now have the way life that we worked a whole lifetime to enjoy. The idea that our land and way of life could be destroyed by the greed of "false prophets" of Wind is terrifying.

We started out favoring wind energy. Then, we learned the facts through hours of independent research. Wind power is a desperate attempt by our nation to help solve a long standing problem. But, as with many desperate actions, it will do us little good. The promises of Wind are false. It won't solve anything and it will rape our enviornment. All this so that huge profits can be collected by foreign corporations. Sending US dollars to Spain is no betrter than sending them to Saudi Arabia. But the Wind Czars don't want average folks to know that. They don't want people to understand that they will "Mine our air, free of charge" and be GUARANTEED a profit for doing it.

Wind power is unreliable and unpredictable. In 20 years it has not reduced CO2 emissions in Europe by one gram. Wind Farm produce only 25 per cent of their rated capacity. Would you pay someone to be a full time employee and then agree that he only has to come to work ten hours a week??

The land is defensless. We must be her protectors; her gaurdians. But our local government in Hammond is acting more like the land's pimp. They will sell her off for the benefit of a tiny handful of residents in our community. And to whom? A greed driven foreign corporation from Spain.

Between outrageous taxes and the pending invasion by Iberdrola's "Wind Monsters," we see our grasp on this sacred way of life slowly slipping away. There are no adequate words to explain the anguish and sadness we feel. The "Legacy" we spent a lifetime building could soon be washed away. For 46 years, Chippewa Bay has been our refuge from the pressures of the modern world. It has shaped who we are and what we believe in. The coming generations of our family may never even know what "Legacy Cove" was. They may never know this rare place where time stands still. They may never know the comfort of a place where, in all things, "Nature doth prevail."

The odds may be against us, but we have too much to lose to stand on the sidelines and watch. If you treasure your way of life here , STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR IT.
Alan Kalbfleisch
Comment by: Alan Kalbfleisch ( )
Left at: 11:02 AM Saturday, March 27, 2010
I am an Engineering Student at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. Currently, I am researching the Wolfe Island wind farms for a project. Reading the comments of the residents, I am shocked at the complete ignorance of you people. Try making a real argument; use some facts to support your selfish cause.

For those of you saying the turbines will kill birds here is a fact: Skyscrapers are the leading cause of death of birds followed by house cats. Should we ban skyscrapers and house cats?

The comment from the women who blames the people who voted for Obama was quite ridiculous. The wind farm was built before Obama came in to power. Canada also has a Conservative government. Do your research before you get all political.

Saying that wind power is not enough to power our world is also an awful argument. Any sensible person would realize that we cannot depend on one source of energy. The government is trying to lessen our dependence on nonrenewable energy. Wind power is just one of the many ways we can reduce or CO2 emissions. We are aware that wind cannot power our whole world but that is not the goal. The goal is to power only part of the world with wind and a combination of other green energies.

To all of the old wealthy residents of the 1000 islands: get your facts straight before you start arguing against this engineering marvel. Maybe if your generation was more cautious with your energy needs your precious view would not be "ruined". You are the generation that destroyed our world. It is my generation that has to clean up after you. Thanks, we really appreciate it.
John Droz
Comment by: John Droz ( )
Left at: 7:51 AM Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Alan:

It is good that you have youthful enthusiasm.

You are correct in that wind energy's problem isn't due to birds or Obama.

The reasons that wind energy is a poor idea are that it is technically, economically and environmentally deficient.

In summary: it has very little benefits for very high cost. We can (and must) do better. There are several alternatives that are far superior.

To add to your education see "EnergyPresentation.Info".
Brian MacDonald
Comment by: Brian MacDonald ( )
Left at: 7:57 AM Sunday, April 25, 2010
Descendants of my great great great great grandfather have lived on Wolfe Island for nearly 200 years. During the construction of the wind farm on the Island over the winter of 2008-09 while much of the rest of the world was suffering from a deep recession, Wolfe Island's economy was booming!

While not everyone appreciates the change in scenery, Wolfe Island is still Wolfe Island. Little else has changed.
Louise Ford
Comment by: Louise Ford ( )
Left at: 12:41 PM Sunday, April 25, 2010
Brian while I am very happy for your new found windfall (excuse the pun) the wind turbines are far from " the change in scenery".

They have ruined the view of the pristine 1000 Islands by day but at night the sky is no longer beautiful, dark and full of stars; now there are thousands of blinking bright red lights.

While your personal economy has boomed it has done so at a great cost to one of the most beautiful natural environments and those of us who have direct view, night and day of your turbines have not only lost real value in our homes because we no longer live in a pristine wilderness.

My family is three generations on Grindstone Island, not as many as you but that doesn't stop us from loving the 1000 Islands, the River and its views with all our hearts.

To have look out on your wind turbines makes us very sad and honestly quite sick ! Since this has never been the case before I would say a great deal more then "little else" has changed !!!
Brian Ward
Comment by: Brian Ward ( )
Left at: 4:54 PM Monday, April 26, 2010
These monstrosities create an industrial landscape where once there was nature. Their output is incredibly low compared to their capacity and quite often practically zero. They probably create health problems.. imagine living next to one. What a trendy fashionable boondoggle paid for by taxpayers in Ontario.
nancy lemble
Comment by: nancy lemble ( )
Left at: 10:57 PM Monday, April 26, 2010
To say that the Wolfe Island economy was booming is probably right. Past tense, was, while giant trucks were loading cement, white dust coating the roads like a vapor trail is the least of the damage done. I've rode my bicycle across the island to Kingston for 3 decades. I haven't done so since these hideous waste of money was erected but it was really so special. The quietness, hearing the birds, almost no paved roads, no electric lines going down the roads, unbelievably tranquil. I do know a few local Wolfe Islanders and they are not happy. The sound is real. They realize they got the end shaft of some stupid alternative energy scam that only creates a few jobs for a short time and in the end it's just another political takeover like eminent domain.
Brad Blake
Comment by: Brad Blake ( )
Left at: 10:43 PM Wednesday, April 28, 2010
To the zealous, idealistic young engineering student, you should show some respect rather than use the terms you did referring to old wealthy residents. This hideous industrial sprawl affects everyone, rich or poor, old or young. It particularly affects those in the noise impact zone, and all taxpayers who pay the subsidies so they even exist and the suffering ratepayers who have arbitrarily contrived renewable energy portfolio standards thrust upon them resulting in higher electricity costs.

Young man, you obviously are failing in your higher education since you refer to these huge, cumbersome, inefficient machines as "engineering marvel". Since wind requires so much redundant capacity operating at inefficient spinning reserve, it is hardly the green panacea you tout and there are much more cost effective ways of producing electricity. Perhaps that is where you should focus your education, as any engineering enthusiast would laugh at wind turbines.
Anonymous User
Comment by: Anonymous User
Left at: 2:35 PM Thursday, June 2, 2011
http://jandhjewelry.co.cc/2011/06/02/island-wind/
Anonymous User
Comment by: Anonymous User
Left at: 4:46 PM Wednesday, June 8, 2011
http://janesfreedman.co.cc/2011/06/08/island-winds/
Inquirer
Comment by: Inquirer ( )
Left at: 7:13 PM Saturday, September 24, 2011
Three cheers for the Queen's engineering student! Those towers and turbines are a welcome sight. Much safer than nuclear power.

I am of the generation that the student criticized and he was correct: we wrecked the world to go a bit faster, overheat our houses and fatten our pensions. Wind will someday contribute 25% of all of Ontario's power.

I look at those windmills every day from my sailboat, and I think wind power is good!

Inquirer
Louise Ford
Comment by: Louise Ford ( )
Left at: 7:40 AM Monday, October 3, 2011
This is a note to Inquirer and his friend the student. I think you should actually look into modern nuclear power and its excellent safety record. The plant in Japan was not a modern plant like the ones in France and other parts of Europe.
Also just because wind power is "safer" to your mind it is a welcome sight?
Welcome to whom is the big question?
The HUGE numbers of Bats & Birds that are killed in that wind mill field on Wolfe Island. It was reported it has the highest "kill" numbers of any wind farm in ALL of North America.
Safer for those people in their boats who now cannot pick out the actual red navigation lights on the St. Lawrence because there are thousands of flashing red lights on the turbines making navigation using the channel lights all but impossible.
Safer for those people who live near to turbines who suffer from all sorts of physical and mental issues dealing with the constant flickering light, the unrelenting wooshing noise or those people whose homes are now lit up inside and out with red flashing lights all night.
Please do some actual research on medical issues that humans suffer due to living near wind turbines ...
And how lovely you get to look from your sailboat everyday at the windmills. Good for you ! Obviously you are far enough away that you are not bothered by the flashing red lights, the noise or dead birds landing on your boats deck !
Those of us who actually have homes that look at all of them do suffer and the blight to the night sky and day time vista is a real crime in an area that should be first and foremost kept for its natural beauty.

Also I hope you enjoy the turbines in 20 yrs when they are obsolete and will still be standing there doing no good what so ever. Are you aware that the power cable laid from Wolfe Island to the main land is not large enough to even transport all the energy those monsters produce on a good day.. when they have wind so most is a loss at all times? Forget about the power that they don't produce when there isn't any wind !

Ontario has vaste wastelands where zillions of wind turbines wouldn't bother a soul. And not wreck the natural beauty of a place as unique as the 1000 islands. And are not in the middle of so many sea bird and bat's flight paths ! So build all you want there.

But there are other alternatives that are very green and do not have such detrimental costs... Underwater turbines for one ... with the force of the entire great lakes coming into the St. Lawrence this would be an awesome source of unending power.. Check out what has been done in Belfast Harbor.

I am of the generation that feels that ruining a place of great natural beauty is a detrimental to "wrecking the world" as any over heated house. Mine is not by the way !

Louise Ford ( interesting Mr/Ms Inquirer has not chosen to give his name)


Ed Anderson
Comment by: Ed Anderson
Left at: 3:52 AM Friday, April 29, 2016
It's always annoying when some wind power zealot ignores all the aesthetic complaints with a subjective,meaningless sentence: "Well, I think they're beautiful!" The glib implication is "case closed!"

Or, they change the subject to "how would you like to live near a coal mine?" when they know full well that wind turbine blight is the biggest NEW invasion of scenery in modern times. Wind power gets installed in landscapes that would never see a coal mine or fracking operation, and its visual desecration is significantly worse than fracking due to the sheer height and spread of the towers, which aren't limited by geological zones.
John Droz
Comment by: John Droz
Left at: 8:19 AM Friday, April 29, 2016
Wind energy either makes sense, or it does not, based on scientifically proven facts. The evidence from independent experts is that industrial wind energy is an economic loser, and an environmental liability. See WiseEnergy.org for all the information you'll need.

Each of the TI community Towns needs to pass a quality wind ordinance — i.e. one that properly protects the health, safety and welfare of its citizens, businesses and ecosystems.