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Snowy Owls on PEI, bad sign
This Snowy Owl relaxes on the Hillsborough Bridge causeway on Monday. This breed of owl, which is normally native to far more northern regions, has been spotted around P.E.I. in recent months. Guardian photo by Brian McInnis
By Stephen Pate
I’ve got to get out more often. The Guardian reported that there are snowy owls at the Hillsborough Bridge, Unusual visitor has descended on the Island this year. Nice photo Brian.
“Large, white, shadowy, deadly creatures have invaded Prince Edward Island.
The Snowy Owl, usually found in more northern regions, has appeared in large numbers on P.E.I. this fall and appears ready to stay here for the winter.
Reports have come in from a variety of locations across the Island about owl sightings, says Rosemary Curley, natural areas biologist with the fish and wildlife division of the Department of the Environment.”
That is so cool. I’ve never seen one in the open, except at zoo’s. Owls are pretty cool anyways: they are the cats of the bird family. Owls seem smarter than the rest of the birds, perhaps because they don’t say much. Hmmm could that be a hint.
Owls aren’t smarter than Deeter the parrot. That was a smart bird.
Apparently the owls are coming south to look for food, which means the ecological balance up north is shifting. The Ottawa Citizen reported the same thing, Owls moving south in search of prey
Speak up now about windmills
Editor – As the letter writer points out, public health and safety are being ignored by the Liberal Government in the development of wind energy. Another big concern is that the Liberals are giving away the farm – our hope of energy self-sufficiency.
Related stories
Letter to the Editor
There has been a lot of talk lately about wind turbines coming to West Prince. Most of the attention has been paid to the development in Anglo Tignish.
This is however, only a small piece of the puzzle. If you live on or near North Cape Coastal Drive( Rte 14) or in Milo or Kildare or surrounding communities there is a good chance you will fall victim to wind turbines and high voltage power lines hovering over you home.
Wind power ruffles question period
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 | 5:24 PM AT
CBC
The government’s new wind energy plan dominated much of the first question period of the fall session of the P.E.I. legislature Wednesday.
Opposition leader Olive Crane opened questioning in the fall session of the legislature, focusing on the government’s plan to triple wind power production on the Island over the next five years. The plan would require a billion-dollar investment, mostly by the private sector.
Ghiz, wolf in sheep’s clothing
Premier Robert Ghiz, wolf in sheep
Kate MacDonald wrote an informed and readable opinion on the wind energy issue Where the Island Wind is Blowing. Her focus was on carbon credits.
We ask: why are we shipping 300 MW or 85% of the energy off-Island. We need that energy on PEI by anyone’s estimation.
For decades we wanted to own our energy and dreamed of being energy self-sufficient. Ontario keeps energy for its people first and sells the excess. So does Quebec. Ghiz is not a loyal Islander: his loyalties lie elsewhere.
Our new Liberal premier is giving away the farm and for what? Will we get paid? Not likely. Ghiz’s plan is about as dumb as allowing new construction in Charlottetown without parking. The consequences of parking congestion are annoying. Ghiz’s plan will impoverish us forever.
Where the Island’s wind is blowing
GUEST OPINION
KATE MCDONALD
Prince Edward Island is recognized for its significant wind energy potential and for being a leader in renewable energy upon establishing and meeting a renewable portfolio standard for electricity of 15 per cent.
The provincial government has now mapped out the direction for wind energy’s future in their recently released 10-Point Plan. Government’s goal is to see the generation of 500 megawatts (MW) of wind energy on P.E.I. by 2013. From where development stands today this will require 350MW of new wind development, designated in the strategy as 300MW for export and 50MW for on-Island use.
Read the rest of this entry »
We stand to lose too much
Last updated at 12:21 AM on 03/11/08
The Journal Pioneer
Editor
We are about to give away the only untapped natural resource on P.E.I., wind energy. The deal is being cut by an inexperienced premier with billionaire businessmen who are capable of getting the upper hand. In my opinion, we will lose our future independence for some short term cash for the deficit.
Other Islanders have recognized this including letters to the papers in West Prince by George Cousins of Campbellton. Much of the discussion has been about the environment. We need to pay attention to the money as well.
Wind energy plan will affect many
The Journal Pioneer
Editor,
I attended the recent monthly meeting of the Summerside City Council to support the opposition to the site selection of the proposed wind farm development in St. Eleanor’s.
I would like to inform those who live in these neighbourhoods you are going to be directly effected by this development.
Residents of North Drive and Decker Road will have 400-plus ft. wind turbine in their back yard. Residents of Gavin Estates may not yet have a turbine in our backyard, but we will hear and see the flicker from two of the four that are proposed – it will be louder than the noise from the highway.
Don’t give away our wind energy
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Editor:
We are about to give away the only uptapped natural resource on P.E.I. – wind energy. The deal is being cut by an inexperienced premier with billionaire businessmen who are capable of getting the upper hand. In my opinion, we will lose our future independence for some short-term cash.
The federal government and provinces control their natural resources and it makes them rich. Oil, gas and timber are controlled provincially. The federal and provincial governments control mining and minerals. Other than P.E.I., all provinces control electrical energy.
Not only do these resources produce billions of tax and royalty revenues, their control is strategic. We are only tenants in our own province when other countries control the natural resources.
P.E.I. is about to give away that resource, for future benefits yet to be negotiated. We will have the resource stolen from under our noses.
Wind power remains a volatile issue
Editor: the Ghiz government is on media and damage control on wind energy issues. Private meetings, fancy press-releases…hold onto your wallets they want to steal the wind energy for their rich friends. Why don’t Islanders own the wind energy? That was the original plan.
ERIC MCCARTHY
The Journal Pioneer
O’LEARY CORNER – Donald Harper says his property in Norway used to be peaceful. That changed after a V-90 wind turbine was erected near his home.
“I’m not very happy about it. It’s not a nice thing to have around your home,” he told energy minister George Webster last night.
Harper was among about 140 West Prince residents who attended a meeting at O’Leary Corner to express their opposition to wind energy development in their communities.
Ghiz about to give away wind for trinkets
We are giving away the only known natural resource on PEI, wind energy. The deal is being cut by an inexperienced premier with billionaire businessmen who are capable of getting the upper hand. We will lose our future independence for some short term cash for the deficit.
Most provinces and the Federal Government control natural resources and it makes them rich. Oil, gas, and timber are controlled provincially. The federal and provincial governments control mining and minerals. Other than PEI, all provinces control electrical generation.
Opposition to wind turbines growing, with comments
Last Updated: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 | 5:05 PM
CBC News
Some residents of West Prince are concerned about the proximity of wind turbines to houses. (CBC)
As the government of P.E.I. prepares plans to triple wind-power generation on the Island, grassroots opposition to the developments is growing.
Many of those wind turbines are planned for West Prince, the area that currently has the largest wind energy production in the province. Monday night, about two dozen West Prince residents gathered to discuss strategies for lobbying the province to take more care about where the turbines are placed.
Errol and Bev Howard were at the meeting. They built their dream home in Cape Wolfe eight years ago, and say they never would have imagined having turbines across from their front yard.
“It wasn’t even on the radar as far as we were concerned, because no one had told us what was happening,” said Howard.
“We would never have built here if that had been the case, if we had known that.”
The West Cape wind farm near the Howard’s house will have 55 turbines when it’s finished. The province is planning significantly more growth in wind-power generation. On Friday it announced it was making plans to achieve 500 megawatts of wind power on the Island by 2013, up from the current 150 megawatts.
More than 180 residents of West Prince recently signed a petition asking the province to slow down.
What price do Islanders pay for this?” wondered Miminegash resident George Cousins.
“Is it their landscape? Is it their homes? Is it their future? What price are we going to pay for this development?”
West Prince residents are not alone in their concern. On Monday night Summerside residents successfully called for a delay in the vote on a wind-power facility there. They are concerned that the 400-metre buffer zone between the turbines and houses is not sufficient.
“Where’s there’s major wind farms in Europe, and their setbacks are 1.6 kilometres,” said Darlene Compton.
“We feel with the city wanting to put turbines about 400 to 500 metres from the closest residences, that’s just not acceptable.”
City council asked staff to research the health effects of wind turbines so they can make an informed decision when the matter comes back for a vote next month.
Comments
Srakken wrote:
What the heck is wrong with people? Where do you think they are going to put the Turbines? Middle of Charlottetown? Stop being so damn selfish we are talking about clean green energy here. Guess when our children are struggling with the effects of climate change we will have close minded people like you to thank.
PEI-Mac wrote:
Most of these complainants sound as though they want hand outs or buy outs.
These turbines are a great chance at energy price stability in a world oil price volatility. Something that would be for the greater good of all Islanders. In fact if they want they can put one in my backyard and side yards. Lord knows if I could afford to put one up I would. As for those worried about flying ice an as such, have you looked at these machines in action? Not likely to ever fling much of anything.
doonie666 wrote:
What kind of a-hole developer would put a wind turbine 400 lousy meters away from a residence? What the heck is wrong with people?
Mikaedith wrote:
Oh forget it.
Just tear the wind turbines down and go back to burning coal, tearing up the land, polluting everything, and driving up energy costs.That makes MUCH more sense. Sorry for the green energy, won’t happen again, jerks!
Islander77 wrote:
Wind turbines are a much needed “development” for this province. Anyone who doesnt like the look of them should go check out the tar sands in Alberta, or the Pacific coast site of the Exxon Valdez disaster.
The power generated should be available to Islanders on a priority basis when it becomes cheaper than the status quo. Seeing a wind turbine in the distance would, for me. be a very re-assuring sight.
Kevin01 wrote:
Ever notice it is not the young people against these turbines,it is the middle aged and older folks that won’t be around when the world eventually goes down the toilet from this generations irresponsibility, I guess their view is let our kids and grand kids deal with the toxic and volatile enviroment of the future if we don’t start making changes.
How in the h*ll can a turning blade cause health problems, I hope these people don’t have ceiling fans or oscillating fans in thier homes, it may make them sick, and for the noise, do you have traffic near your homes or do you live in a sound proof bubble, even the wind makes noise when it blows.You people better get your priorities straight and stop thinking of yourselves for once.!
Kaodake wrote:
I think residents have some valid concerns. In Japan, when wind turbines are placed too close to residential areas, ambient noise (the constant low-pitch drone) has been demonstrated to cause health problems for residents.
Developers (who don’t live there) adamantly deny this is the case, and locals continue to get sick.In this way, wind-energy is not completely ‘green’ and cannot be considered to have no environmental impact. It’s a bit like claiming that development of a piece of wilderness for use as a golf course would be ‘green’ and have no local impact. Woodlots and brush areas that support wildlife usually must be cleared to allow turbines to be installed. This is definitely disruptive (particularly for birds).
Care must be taken to ensure that the turbines do not cause un-necessary damage to human and animal habitats (as with any power-generating method). Placing turbines off-shore would be a better (but far more expensive) option.
I am willing to bet that those who condenm residents for their opposition do not live in the affected area.
Maritimer wrote:
I’d be concerned too if I had one of these monstrosities in my back yard. Who wants to have their property value decreased through no fault of their own.
Areas of the island should be designated for windmills in advance of residential construction, not the other way around.
JoAnneMyers wrote:
I think some of you need to re-read the story. I don’t beileve anywhere here stated that these people were against green energy, but against the fact that these big, ugly industrial loud windmills have been placed basically all around them.
Therefore, for those of you who bother to do any research, before you start shooting off your mouths, dramatically reduce their property value, and in fact, have been known to cause health problems.. Now I don’t know about you, but if there was something built up around my home that basically made it half of what it was worth, and could cause me to start having sezuires, and constant headaches, I may be a little petrubed.
For all of you that are saying you would be happy to have these in your backyard..well..lets have your names and addresses, so we can let the company in France, who, by the way, owns all these windmills and makes all the money from them, we can let them know to plop one in your yard. Then lets see how “for” it you are!
I would like all you people to drive up and see where all these “selfish jerks” live and imagine it in your neighbourhood. For all of you concerned about energy… do you know how much oil it takes to generate one of these things..hmm..no?? research is a great thing…How many of you are driving hybrid cars? Got rid of those SUV’s and big trucks yet? taking your bike to work? Oh no, that may be an incovience to you..heaven forbid! Look, I am all for reducing and cleaning up this world, but it has to be done responsibly.
The windmills are going to go up, lets face it, but in peoples backyards…come on…pathectic move I think
CruxoftheIssue
don’t think the wind turbines are ugly at all–frankly, I think they are just about the most beautiful sight I’ve seen in decades. Why?
Well, to me, they represent HOPE. Hope that maybe we CAN have a high standard of living WITHOUT completely killing the planet. Let’s face it, without new technology such as WIND, we are all facing extinction….what’s your property value worth then?
I’d like to repeat Kevin01’s comment:Ever notice it is not the young people against these turbines,it is the middle aged and older folks that won’t be around when the world eventually goes down the toilet from this generations irresponsibility, I guess their view is let our kids and grand kids deal with the toxic and volatile enviroment of the future if we don’t start making changes.
Kevin, you are telling it like it is. This is what I’ve seen from my elders and frankly not much else, when you really get down to it. I think it is incredibly sad that our supposedly Older, Wiser generation is so incredibly short-sighted and selfish. But then again, THEY got us here–we would be stupid to expect that THEY will get us out.
Einstein is reported to have said:
You can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking that created them in the first place.Many of this stubborn set would benefit from a bit of introspective thought on those words. The world HAS changed. Adaptation (and fast) IS REQUIRED. I’m sorry that your golden years are not turning out as you once envisioned, but we are trying to plan for a future WAAAAAAAAAY beyond just you. We are trying to build a new future that bears in mind the LONG-TERM best interests of the MANY over the FEW.
So suck it up. Your forefather’s sacrificed for YOU….maybe it’s your turn to sacrifice for YOUR KIDS now. You should be proud of the opportunity, and any arguement other than that for a reasonable set-back, in accordance with health issues, is despicable.
And to the guy that scoffed that anyone would really want a wind turbine in their backyard: My name is Cindy Einfeld, I live in Tyne Valley and yes, I’ve gotten rid of the SUV. Anyone that wants to put a wind turbine up ON MY PROPERTY has my enthusiastic cooperation!
Joshua Peters wrote:
I have been to/seen/heard these windmills in action… The sound they emit is not troublesome. And, although it is of my own prerogative, I believe they are quite beautiful to look at. There are very few health concerns related to the building of these machines, at least no more then having live hydro wires outside of the house… Or pesticides poured on the farmers field next door…
These complaints are almost exclusively from those who have an issue with the sight lines of the machines… To that I can only say, that yes, they may be ugly, but so are power-lines, roads, and other pieces of technological progress; however, unlike the aforementioned items these machines will in the long run help preserve the natural environment. Just remember, that for every wind farm not being built, some other community (perhaps, even yours eventually!) will have a nice big coal burning power plant… Or even better, a nuclear power plant.
Coal Burning Power Plant….. Or (some would say) ugly, clean, profit-raising energy wind turbines????
To me, the choice is pretty obvious. Go back to horse and buggy, those god damn roads and power-lines are hideous.
CanoeMeister wrote:
From what I understand of the article, I support the major concerns raised by residents. As much as I am all for ‘green’ technologies, we have to remember that they are not a cure-all panacea. There are drawbacks to any solution. The largest one with wind turbines, is the consistent noise pollution they produce. Just think to how annoying a loud fan or propeller-driven plane can be. Now, increase its size exponentially and remove the off switch.
Asking the housing buffer be extended from 400 to 1600 meters is not unreasonable.
Peace, Friendship, Respect – (Guswenta)
Cannon wrote:
I know people living in what may become one of the areas affected by windmills and I can assure you it’s not the sight of them that people are worried about. Noise pollution is a serious consider. The noise emitted is listed at 45 decibles and research indicates 40 decibles will wake a person from a deep sleep.
Flicker is another concern. Windmills may look pretty on a nice sunny day, but I’m not so sure the reported flashing lights, reflected off the blades, will be very enjoyable for the residents or people driving along the main highway where these are to be located. Green energies are great, but people and animals must also be taken into consideration before construction.
JoAnneMyers wrote:
I respect everyones opinion..I mean, you would have to be an idiot not to see the benifits of green power. As I believe that these people do. But why are their not stiffer regulations on where these things are being put?
Thats all well and good to be mother earth rahrahrah..put windmills in my back yard.. I don’t care how it affects my property value…haha, yes, until you needed that money to fade into your “golden years” . By defintion of Golden years.. is that old people who really don’t matter anyway??? I don’t think they got the earth in this state on purpose people….really, so lets leave the finger pointing on the playground where it belongs. By the way, I am 33 and have done ALOT of research on these windmills. Green, yes they are…Green as you think… no they are not.
TomDooley wrote:
Interesting comments. I want to add my two cents if I may.
The windmills in question are 600 kW units. The windmills at the Eastern end of PEI are 3000 kW. Therefore it takes 5 turbines of the smaller kind to produce the same power. This makes a bigger visual impact. The smaller units turn at a faster speed. This increases the noise coming of the blades. Multiply the noice by 5 for the smaller units compared to the bigger units.So lets not make blanket statements about windmills when talking about setbacks etc. Yes we need regulations but lets be sensible.
I am more concerned that the Government has given Maritime Electric the power to decide who is eligible to bid on these windpower developments.
Maritime Electric refuses to put transmission lines below ground. This is a real shame. Think of the beautiful vistas we could have if these ugly power lines were put underground.
Northsider wrote:
As mentioned by another reader, the solution may very well be to place the turbines offshore in a manner which increases density of installation so as to absorb the additional costs. But lets stay away from the flyways of migrating birds, and any prevailing currents!
Premier announces billion dollar wind plan
Editor – with no public consultation, no guarantee of royalties nothing other than the assurance some European companies want our energy, has Premier Ghiz has given away our energy future?
The Newfoundland government fought the federal government, oil companies and mining companies for decades to make sure its citizens were not on welfare forever. What is the deal for PEI’s citizens? SP
STAFF
Transcontinental Media
NORTH CAPE – A 500 megawatt wind power development plan will help provide energy security and price stability to Islanders reducing the province’s dependence on imported power, Premier Robert Ghiz announced Friday.
At an afternoon news conference, the premier outlined provincial wind development policy in a paper called “Island Wind Energy, Securing Our Future: The 10 Point Plan.” It is the first step toward the goal of having 500 megawatts of wind energy produced on Prince Edward Island by 2013.
