Centre Wellington council has formally supported Mapleton Township’s bid to ask the provincial government to place a moratorium on wind energy projects until there are studies done on the effects on health and groundwater.
Well over 100 municipalities have now supported that motion, but Centre Wellington councillors had a long debate on the issue anyway. It was not about supporting the Mapleton initiative; that was mostly a given.
Instead, councillor Kirk McElwain wanted to know if council could have a bigger effect at the provincial level by passing its own separate motion.
“I support the township of Mapleton,” McElwain said. “Should we bring forward one of our own?”
Mapleton’s resolution stated one reason for its action is a signed petition by over 250 residents opposing a wind farm there.
McElwain said, “We have an equally long list,” of opponents of the Belwood proposal. He added, “It [councils’ lobby efforts] may have more impact coming from various municipalities.”
Chief Administrative Officer Michael Wood said separate motions might be the best approach.
He noted Wellington County has supported the Mapleton resolution, and said that is “the common approach” municipalities are using to lobby the province.
“Council could come up with its own” list of reasons for a moratorium on wind project approvals.
Councillor Shawn Watters agreed that McElwain had made sound points.
McElwain wondered, “Another list of 250 names – would that have more impact?”
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj said the Mapleton resolution cites two main reasons to halt approvals: health and groundwater safety.
She said each municipal resolution would go to the province separately, and the township can have a separate resolution if it wishes.
McElwain said some municipalities have their own reasons for seeking a moratorium.
Councillor Walt Visser suggested council simply pass the Mapleton resolution, and then go back to committee and consider a separate motion to add to those being sent to the province.
“There’s no reason we can’t have another resolution,” Visser said, adding he would be “glad to put one forward.”
McElwain said the reason he was asking is, “I don’t think these two issues [health and groundwater safety] are all that the folks in Belwood see.”
Ross-Zuj agreed and said council in particularly could complain about the process the province has set up.
Approval for the projects was suddenly yanked from the municipalities by Premier Dalton McGuinty. The mayor said residents are finding that difficult to understand.
Council agreed to consider its own motion in committee of the whole, and then unanimously supported Mapleton’s resolution.
