The Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Rights of the Child

Letter from Eric Gillespie on behalf of NAPAW to Attorney Generals of Canada        http://ontariowindresistance.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/ag-letter.pdf

Excerpt:  The desire for rapid deployment of wind energy facilities appears to violate numerous Articles of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and United Nations Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilites (UNCRPD) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.   Whereas, our client states:

• State and country decision-making processes for locating and operating industrial wind energy facilities are being driven by economic and political objectives.
• The health of individuals living in close proximity to industrial wind turbines is being compromised and the ability of families to care for their children and elders is being seriously undermined.
• The public lacks confidence that the science advice of state and country health authorities is credible; and further that this advice is based on a rigorous and objective assessment of all available information.
• The lack of full scientific certainty is being used as a reason not to take preventive measures.
• We conclude that the fundamental human rights of individuals living in close proximity to industrial wind turbines are not being protected, and further that the dignity and worth of the human person are not being upheld.

Be It Therefore Resolved:

• that immediate and careful objective study be undertaken with respect to wind  energy’s economic benefits, which our client believes are net zero, and objective study of the impacts to human health also be simultaneously initiated
• that the protection of human health be restored as primary, m all energy policy henceforth, and
• that the need for restitution and compensation be incorporated into the studies of the above two obligations, for those who have abandoned homes, lost income, property, and/or health,

We respectfully request:

• a complete and immediate moratorium on the new construction and placement of industrial wind turbines;
• an investigation regarding the apparent violations of the Articles detailed in this letter;
• protection of the population from the imposed intrusions;
• the restoration of democratic rights;
• National, State and Provincial Attorneys General investigations regarding the economic damages including net job losses, environmental damages, and societal and community degradation;
• remediation be established for the economic and social damages to humans, including loss of homes and jobs, future economic consequences such as decreased pensions and other negative impacts, and environmental damages.

Failing this, we reserve the right to further legal inquiry including the UN Conventions and all local and national laws to protect life, property, liberty and rights.  Kindly reply by May 1, 2012. Yours very truly, ERIC K. GILLESPIE PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION Eric K. Gillespie

Reader wonders: Are you a NIMBY?

Mitchell Advocate

http://www.mitchelladvocate.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3528432

Dear Editor:

Just some observations at this time.

Yes, it is the beginning of April 2012. West Perth is a 25 per cent part of Perth County, which has a reputation of being a 90 per cent agricultural community. Farmers are itching to make that equipment fly and the blood in their veins pump as the seeds go in the ground.

I am asking everyone to inform and educate themselves aware of the implications and repercussion of the September 2009 Green Energy Act, and, aiding in the answer to my question. Mr. McGuinty, the author of the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) accusation, has left Ontario, or, may be deaf. His world, is HIS world.

West coast, Ontario has approximately 200 wind industry turbines installed and operating. Why?

Grand Bend Northland Power have presented their Draft Report to the public review, and held a public meeting in Mitchell District Arena & Community Centre on April 2nd. There are three other meetings scheduled for the immediate time future. They are held closer to the anticipated turbine industry project area, or the transmission destination. West Perth may, or could, become a stakeholder in their project by hosting some of the 40-odd kilometre transmission line.

The GEA, and the wind industry have, or may, take precedence over any of the 90 per cent agriculture endeavour of the past, in West Perth. Mention has not, or will not, be made of any future wind industry development for the study area. Hydro and OPA are speeding transmission grid availability and accessibility, with an anticipated deadline for the Bruce to Milton line for sometime in 2012.

There are communities along the shoreline of Lake Huron who have produced maps showing approximately 800 wind industry turbines which are now in the pipe. Some of these projects may not be eligible for cancellation, even in the event of a change in government.

Focusing on September/October 2013 in West Perth and the International Plowing Match (IPM) in Perth County, and, the 90 per cent agricultural designation, leaves one to a world of discussion, and my question.

Am I a NIMBY?

Carol Ryan

Un-fit Protest

Check out the numerous pictures and videos of the protest at http://ontario-wind-resistance.org/

There was an excellent news report by Sun Media that all Ontarians should watch!

Dalton’s Dangerous Delusions

Click to watch video

West Perth Transmission

West Perth Transmission Lines

Grand Bend Wind Limited Partnership c/o Northland Power Open Houses

5th April 2012, 5pm – 8pm
Bluewater Community Center/Zurich Arena, 15 East St, Zurich

12th April 2012,  5pm – 8pm,
Seaforth and District Community centre, 122 Duke Street, Seaforth

Wind power opponents take to Toronto streets; premier points to changes

Winnipeg Free Press

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/wind-power-opponents-plan-massive-protest-premier-points-to-positive-changes-145923525.html

TORONTO – Protesters from rural communities across Ontario gathered in Toronto today to tell cities they need to join their fight against wind farms.

A few hundred protesters — with signs decrying the health, financial and community impact of industrial wind power — also called for the ouster of Premier Dalton McGuinty because of his green-energy policies.

Listowell dairy farmer Ralph Coneybeare says the turbines make no financial sense, especially when the province could be making better use of cheaper power sources, such as hydroelectric.

He says turbines create tension between neighbours who want them and those who don’t.

Sherri Lange, of the group North American Platform Against Windpower, calls the feed-in-tariff program known as FIT “an obscenity” that will lead to higher electricity rates and drive businesses from the province.

McGuinty says recent changes to Ontario’s clean-energy plans should appease the critics, pointing to plans to lower premiums the province pays for future wind and solar energy projects.

He also says the province will favour projects proposed in communities that support turbines, although the government has stopped short of giving municipalities a veto over new installations.

MPP blasts premier

Stratford Beacon Herald

http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/2012/04/01/mpp-blasts-premier

Randy Pettapiece is keeping up the wind pressure on Premier Dalton McGuinty.

The Perth-Wellington MPP sent a three-page letter to the premier this week outlining the concerns of local constituents about the province’s “damaging and divisive” wind turbine policy.

The open letter summarizes a recent town hall meeting on the issue that Pettapiece hosted in Atwood, during which hundreds turned out to speak their minds about wind turbines, raising issues of health effects, loss of prime agricultural land and an inadequate government consultation process.

There’s a feeling among many people that the province’s energy policy is “disrespectful” toward small and rural communities in Ontario, noted Pettapiece in his letter.

“Many believe that wind-energy projects are dividing neighbour from neighbour. Many of my constituents feel – with good reason, I believe – that their government has turned its back on them, siding with large wind energy companies at the expense of our communities,” he wrote.

The letter calls for McGuinty to back down on the “damaging” aspects of its energy policy, including those that strip municipalities of the power to stop the development of industrial wind turbines where they’re not welcome or where they’re not in keeping with municipal development plans.

“As I have stated many times on behalf of my constituents, your government must restore local decision-making power to give municipalities a voice in wind-energy project decisions,” wrote Pettapiece, pointing specifically to a recently approved wind energy project in Mapleton Township that has generated opposition from residents in the area.

This is not the first time the Perth-Wellington MPP has taken the province to task for its wind turbine policy.

In December he wrote a letter to Environment Minister Jim Bradley seeking an extension on the appeal period for the province’s approval of that 10-turbine installation in Mapleton and criticizing the government for not notifying his office of the approval of the project in his riding.

He said those concerns were “dismissed.”

And prior to the March 14 town hall meeting in Atwood, Pettapiece voted for a PC motion calling for a moratorium on further wind turbine development until third-party economic, health and environmental studies have been completed. That motion was defeated.

“The premier needs to hear, loud and clear, from those most affected by his wind turbines policy,” said Pettapiece. “That’s why I wrote this letter on their behalf.”

The letter was also copied to Bradley and Energy Minister Chris Bentley.

mike.beitz@sunmedia.ca

The Effects of Wind Turbines on Children

The constant noise produced by wind turbines can have detrimental effects on all children, but especially children with Special Needs.  Children with Autism and Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of intrusive noise.  Children and adults who live with these disorders have difficulty processing auditory sensory input; they often do not possess the ability to filter noises.  Thus they may hear all noises at the same level.  The noise created from wind turbines would produce a noise that can cause continuous auditory sensory overload.  This would result in severe interruptions in the person’s ability to concentrate and focus.  Many children with Autism do not have the communications skills to affectively communicate their needs, thus the constant wind turbine noise, coupled with communication deficits, could result in significant increases in aggressive behaviors among children with Autism.  Aggressive behaviors could also increase in individuals with ADD/ADHD. Not addressing the needs of children with ADD/ADHD, could potentially lead to increased violent crime, as was proven Dr. Susan Young, of Broadmoor Hospital, who conducted research on the connection between ADD/ADHD and crime.  Children with Autism or ADD/ADHD have enough trouble concentrating and focusing both in school and in life in general. The noise created by wind turbines could definitely cause interruptions in their ability to learn, concentrate, think and function.  This noise would also negatively affect children and adults who are severely hearing impaired and have a cochlear implant.  The microphone on a cochlear implant picks up noise from the environment, as well as speech sounds.  The constant noise from the turbines would severely inhibit the ability of a person with a cochlear implant to process sounds, especially speech.

 

The intrusive sounds created by wind turbines do not only affect children with special needs, but also negatively affect all children.  The constant noise can negatively affect the physical and mental well being of all children. The cardiovascular system, central nervous system, memory, language processing and cognition as well as learning abilities can all be affected by intrusive noises, such as the noise made from wind turbines.

 

Before forging ahead with wind turbines, more research needs to be done regarding the life-long complications arising from them.

Julie Eby  B.A., E.A.

Preschool Behavior Therapy

“Opening Windows When Doors are Closed”

Anti-wind protesters on the road

Stratford Beacon Herald

http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/2012/03/29/anti-wind-protesters-on-the-road

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Two busloads of wind turbine opponents from Perth and Huron counties are headed to a protest in Toronto on Tuesday.

Elma-Mornington Concerned Citizens, which is fighting a proposed wind farm in North Perth and Perth East, has a bus leaving from Listowel. Another bus will leave from Clinton en route to Toronto and pick up protesters in St. Columban, who have their own ongoing fight against a wind farm on the Huron-Perth boundary.

They’ll join a rally by rural Ontarians outside the Ontario Feed-In Tariff Forum at the Metro Convention Centre downtown.

Protest organizers have dubbed the conference “un-FIT.”

“I think we’re going to see at least 500 people down there if not 1,000, somewhere in that range. It’s actually taking off all across the province,” said Warren Howard of the Elma-Mornington group.

“It’s a very hot topic up in this area,” added the North Perth municipal councillor who also managed the campaign of Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece in last year’s provincial election.

Many Liberal incumbents, including former environment minister and two-term Perth-Wellington MPP John Wilkinson, were dispatched by the anti-wind vote.

Pettapiece hosted a meeting in Atwood for constituents to vent about wind energy on March 14. About 200 people attended and their anger was described as palpable as they complained about being treated as second- and third-class citizens by the province.

Last week, the McGuinty government announced some reductions in FIT premiums paid to wind and solar and changes to the controversial Green Energy Act. But the province stopped short of giving rural municipalities the veto power they want to stop wind projects that aren’t wanted in their communities because of health and environmental concerns. Instead, the province promised to give priority to new wind and solar projects that have local support.

“We essentially didn’t hear any change at all relative to our project in particular and even in general. I don’t think there is any listening going on at all,” Howard said.

Invenergy Canada has proposed a 23-27 turbine project for the area.

“It really comes down to the three families that are pursuing this. There is certainly a lot of concern from their neighbours,” Howard said.

Some landowners who signed lease agreements have hired lawyers to try to get out of them, he said.

The Elma-Mornington bus will leave from the Listowel Agricultural Society Hall at 8:30 a.m. There is a cost of $25 a person. To reserve a place on the bus, e-mail Howard at Howardwarr@aol.com.

The Clinton bus will be stopping at St. Columban Catholic School at about 7:45 a.m. There is also a $25 fee for a seat to the rally.

The conference is geared to FIT contract holders, developers, manufacturers, suppliers, service providers and government. Former Ontario deputy premier George Smitherman, one of the architects of the Green Energy Act, is a guest speaker.

brian.shypula@sunmedia.ca

Liberals taking us down wrong path with wind, solar projects

Stratford Beacon Herald

http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/2012/03/29/liberals-taking-us-down-wrong-path-with-wind-solar-projects

Thursday, March 29, 2012

A plea to politicians in our provincial government:

It is possible that by 2013 Ontario taxpayers will be among those paying the highest rates for hydro in North America. Industry is being hurt. I read in the Toronto Sun on March 9 that one company’s hydro bills have increased by $1 million yearly!

Our bills will continue to climb. Can the rise be stopped or at least slowed down? Yes. Here, if incorporated properly, are some ways:

1. Geothermal — Earth energy can save 40-70% off existing heating and cooling bills. Our government should change or expand policies to ensure this is utilized more, especially for new homes.

2. Energy-efficient homes (www.passivehouse.ca) — These houses are so efficient they don’t require conventional heating and cooling systems. Such innovative features have led to the building of structures that use 80-90% less energy than conventional new homes. Yet, this country is being slow to approve building these homes, even though the contractor, Reiner Hoyer, has offered to pay the full cost for a special inspection to make it legal in Canada. About 25,000 successful passive homes exist in Europe, and Hoyer’s design has been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council. If we are serious about conserving energy, this appears to be a great way to do it.

3. Co-generation, a.k.a. combined heat and power (C.H.P.) — This can be used in hospitals, schools, shopping centres etc. and the usually wasted heat can be used for a single building or a series of buildings linked by underground insulated steam pipes. It has more than double the efficiency of natural gas-fired power plants and nuclear reactors. Of extreme importance, C.H.P. projects lessen line loss of electricity. The electricity is consumed where it’s generated thus reducing the need for high-voltage transmission lines.

Reduced need for new transmission lines may save Ontario billions of dollars. A study in the U.S. in 2009 by H. Kinsey and Co., Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Economy, examined 675 energy-saving measures, and co-gen was one of the largest opportunities identified.

There are many more energy-efficient systems.

4. Trigeneration a.k.a. C.C.H.P. (combined cooling heat and power) is the simultaneous generation of electricity, useful heating and useful cooling from the same original heat source. Its further benefit is that conventional power plants may be connected to the system.

5. Biomass energy (green gas) is currently the fourth largest energy source in the world. Should we be using this source more?

6. Waste and Trash — A utility that harnesses heat from Vancouver’s sewage system has become so economical that it services about 1,600 homes and businesses.

7. Using our winter and cold — for refrigeration and air conditioners. (Rapid Refrigeration, Brian McDonald, Toronto)

8. Low-Energy Lighting — L.E.D. bulbs. These bulbs save 50-80% because they’re so long-lasting and have low maintenance. At present, they are too costly for many, but their demand is growing 65% yearly and prices will lessen. Samsung predicts a sales target of $15.2 billion for 2020 and 17,000 jobs (The Economist, Oct. 2011).

It can be seen that the ideology that wind and solar should be the chief ways to produce electricity to make Ontario green is erroneous and costly. Twenty-year contracts intensify the problem for at least the next decades.

All taxpayers are affected by these rates and rising rates, especially the poor and the working poor. To counteract that, to lessen the amount of electricity we’ll need, please, all members of Parliament, to examine and consider more use of at least some of the alternative methods listed.

We deserve politicians whom we can trust to do what is best for us: We want to trust you. Show us we can; don’t let it be “business as usual.”

Ron Wood

Stratford

Pettapiece writes to Premier McGuinty on wind energy‏ – News Release

(Perth-Wellington) – Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece followed through this week on his commitment to bring his constituents’ concerns on wind turbines to the attention of the government.

 

On March 14, 2012, Pettapiece held a public Town Hall meeting in Atwood to hear directly from constituents on the issue. The event attracted hundreds of people from across Perth-Wellington. In a comprehensive, three-page open letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty, Pettapiece sent a clear message based on what he heard: his constituents are not happy with the government’s energy policies.

 

“The Premier needs to hear, loud and clear, from those most affected by his wind turbines policy,” said Pettapiece. “That’s why I wrote this letter on their behalf.”

 

Issues raised at Pettapiece’s public meeting included the so-called Global Adjustment fees, the impact of smart meters, wind turbines’ health effects, loss of prime agricultural land, and the government’s consultation process, which was described as a sham. Pettapiece reported these concerns, among others, in his letter to the Premier.

 

Pettapiece wrote the following:

 

“Many believe that wind energy projects are dividing neighbour from neighbour. Many of my constituents feel – with good reason, I believe – that their government has turned its back on them, siding with large wind energy companies at the expense of our communities.”

 

Pettapiece is by calling on the Premier to back down from those aspects of his government’s energy policies that are proving to be so damaging and divisive.

 

Prior to his Town Hall meeting, Pettapiece voted for a PC motion calling for a moratorium on further wind turbine development until third-party economic, health and environmental studies have been completed. With help from the NDP, the Liberal government defeated the motion.

 

Attached: Randy Pettapiece’s Open Letter to the Premier 

Open Letter to Premier McGuinty – Wind Energy Town Hall