Prowind Plugging Ahead with Gunn's Hill Project

Thursday, 11 October 2012 11:26

Construction is expected to begin this time next year on 10 wind turbines in Norwich Township. Last night, the company at the centre of that development, Prowind Canada, held its first public meeting. The company estimates there were about 60 people that attended the three hour information session. That meeting was opposed by the group fighting against the development, the East Oxford Community Alliance. The Alliance held their own public meeting, in a meeting room next door to Prowind's. The Alliance is worried about a whole range of issues from potential health impacts on humans and livestock, to declining property values. Joan Morris with the Alliance says the developments end up creating a lot of tension in the community. "When a neighbour can undertake an activity on their property that can jeopardize your health, your livelihood, your property value, it's pretty understandable that people would be upset about that. I think perhaps some people haven't realized what they've undertaken when they've signed on the dotted line, but it's a pretty significant step." Tension over the development hit the township last week, when Norwich Council unanimously approved a resolution, asking Prowind to put their plans on hold until a Health Canada study on the noise and health effects of turbines can be completed. President of Prowind Jeff Segal says they have no intentions of pulling the plug now. "We're not in a position to cease development activities. We are operating, as required, with all of the government agency requirements." The plans are now call for transmission lines, carrying the power into the Hydro One transmission station in the south end of Woodstock. Segal says this should not require new lines. "We are exploring an option with Hydro One to share poles between the project. So effectively there will not be new poles if we go that route, and if Hydro One can accommodate." Woodstock resident Wayne Krakowski was picking up information. "Already we're putting new lines on Parkinson Road with power coming in from Bruce Generating Station. How much power is too much? That's one of my concerns." Prowind has their FIT contract for the project. They're looking to start construction next fall, with a deadline of July 2014 to have the turbines up and running. That's around the same time that a Health Canada study is expected to be released on the low frequency noise produced by turbines, and health effects that have been reported from residents living near turbines.