Local MPP Randy Pettapiece is circulating a petition seeking support for a bill that would require local municipalities hold a referendum before large-scale renewable energy projects are approved.
Pettapeice advised Mapleton council of the petition supporting the Energy Referendum Act in a letter received at the Dec. 8 Mapleton council meeting. The bill was tabled in the provincial legislature by Conservative MPP John Yakabuski.
In his letter, Pettapiece stated the bill would ensure “residents are the ones who decide if these projects will go forward.”
“Forced industrial turbines have been a serious issue in our communities, and I support MPP Yakabuski’s efforts to return decision making powers to municipalities and residents,” Pettapiece said.
The petition states large scale renewable energy projects “can have significant impact on property values, tourism, wildlife populations, and the very landscape in the communities where they exist,” and suggests “local residents will be the ones who are most impacted” and should have the final say.
Council received the correspondence as information.
The bill can be viewed at: http://ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&Intranet=&BillID=3597.
