Renewable Energy Project – Ostrander Point Wind Energy Park Proposal
The Ostrander Point Wind Energy Park is proposed by Gilead Power Corporation on 324 hectares of Crown land, along the shores of Lake Ontario, in Prince Edward County. The proposal is for 9 industrial wind turbines, up to 22.5 MW installed capacity, and expected to produce enough electricity to power approximately 6,000 homes.
Ostrander Point includes rare alvar habitat (thin soil over limestone bedrock that creates a unique ecosystem) and is home to at least 19 endangered species. The Point is considered an important bird area on a migratory path.
The project was approved by the Ministry of the Environment on December 20, 2012.
Ontario’s Environmental Bill Registry (www.ebr.gov.on.ca)
EBR 011-5239 - (30-Nov-2011) Gilead Power Corporation requests Approval for a renewable energy project
EBR 011-3181 – (20-Dec-2012) Gilead Power Corporation/Ostrander Point GP Inc. applied for and issued an “overall benefit” permit. The permit included the proposed conditions and outcomes of the permit for which the applicant is applying in order ”to kill, harm and harass Blanding’s Turtle and Whip-poor-will as well as damage and destroy the habitat of Whip-poor-will for the purpose of the development and operation of Ostrander Point Wind Energy Park in the Township of South Marysburgh, Prince Edward County.”
EBR 011-3297 - (20-Dec-2012) Ministry of Natural Resources notification of consideration of the issuance of tenure instruments in support of the construction and operation of the proposed wind power facility.
Update January 9, 2013
Approval for a renewable energy project despite concerns shown in 1,517 comments
Update May 2013
Approval appealed by two groups: Alliance to Protect Prince Edward County focusing on the potential adverse effects of wind turbines on human health, and the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists focusing on the project’s potential harm to natural habitat. Note that each of the two groups must raise $150k to proceed with appeal.
Update July 3, 2013
The Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal turned down the appeal re: human health costs but upheld the appeal re: blandings turtle impact. (article) The decision marks the first time an appeal of a wind turbine project has been upheld in Ontario. (article)
Update August 3, 2013
Ministry of Environment and Gilead Power appeal the Environmental Review Tribunal decision.
Petition to Premier Kathleen Wynne protesting ERT appeal
Update April 20, 2015
Ontario Court of Appeal has ruled decisively in favour of upholding an Environmental Review Tribunal decision that the proposed Ostrander wind project will cause serious and irreversible harm to the endangered Blanding’s Turtle. (article)
News & Events
|
Date |
Source |
Title |
Comment |
|
2015-04-20 |
Nature Canada |
Press Release |
|
|
2014-03-18 |
Avaaz / Priscilla W. |
Petition: The Premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne: Save the New World warblers |
|
|
2014-01-06 |
QP Briefing |
For Toronto Star subscribers only |
|
|
2013-08-05 |
Intelligencer |
W. Brice McVicar |
|
|
2013-07-05 |
Toronto Star |
Jim Coyle |
|
|
2013-07-03 |
Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) |
ERT Decision – appeal upheld, approval reversed |
Turns down appeal re: human health costs but upheld appeal re: blandings turtle impact. (article) |
|
2013-04-04 |
Gilead Power Corporation |
Plan to proceed with activity |
Opponents have filed a motion to stay activity. Status pending. |
|
2013-04-03 to 05 |
Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) |
Prince Edward County (PECFN) phase of appeal |
|
|
2013-03-30 |
Watershed |
Denny Manchee and Tom Groot |
|
|
2013-03-25 to 28 |
Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) |
Prince Edward County (PECFN) phase of appeal |
|
|
2013-03-08 |
Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) |
All day in Demorestville (time: to be determined) |
|
|
2013-03-07 |
Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) |
10am in Toronto (videoconference testimony) |
|
|
2013-03-06 |
Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) |
9:30am in Demorestville |
|
|
2013-03-05 |
Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) |
Site visit – closed to public |
|
|
2013-02-23 |
Environmental Registry |
Minister of Natural Resources issued the overall benefit permit |
Despite 739 public comments that were “generally not supportive” |
|
2013-01-04 |
Two groups appeal to ERT |
|
(article) |
|
2012-12-27 |
Ottawa Wind Concerns |
Ostrander Point project approval: contemptuous, reprehensible |
|
|
2012-12-20 |
Environmental Registry
|
Ministry of Natural Resources decision to issue tenure instruments |
Despite 26 public comments that were “generally not supportive” |
|
2012-12-20 |
Ministry of the Environment |
011-5239 Project approved |
1,500+ comments received |
|
2011-11-30 |
Environmental Registry |
Gilead Power Corporation requests Approval for a renewable energy project |
|
For further information:
County Coalition for Safe and Appropriate Green Energy (CCSAGE), Prince Edward County http://ccsage.wordpress.com
Alliance to Protect Prince Edward County (APPEC) www.appec.ca
”to kill, harm and harass Blanding’s Turtle and Whip-poor-will as well as damage and destroy the habitat of Whip-poor-will for the purpose of the development and operation of Ostrander Point Wind Energy Park in the Township of South Marysburgh, Prince Edward County.” EBR 011-3181
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Disclaimer: This information has been compiled through private amateur research for the purpose of allowing the reader to make an informed and educated decision. However, while the information is believed to be reliable, accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
APPENDICES
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