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Is Cross Border Cooperation Too Much To Ask?

Fri, 02/26/2010 - 11:00 — Dave Dempsey

Jim Lehocky: Straits Area Sunset

Jim Lehocky: Straits Area Sunset ~Enlarge

As concerns mount about mammoth offshore wind farms in the Great Lakes, one important but easy-to-solve problem is getting only minor attention.  When proposed projects arise that affect multi-state or U.S.-Canada viewsheds, there should be consultation across boundaries. It's a matter of respect and good faith.  And the process should be confirmed in writing with plenty of public comment opportunities.

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Sherri Lange's picture

cross border cooperation

Submitted by Sherri Lange on Fri, 02/26/2010 - 12:01.

Cooperation between our nations is now even more essential!  Thanks for this alert!  Air and water do not know boundaries, neither do fish and animal life.  Your birds are our birds.  For 20% of the world's remaining fresh water supplies to be so recklessly handled with free for all's for wind developers, is in my view criminal.  There is a call up here to match Obama's $2.2 billion funds for the Great Lakes.  We should make that happen. 

On our side, in Ontario, developers swamped the MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources) with applications (more than 500) to the extent that these had to be suspended.  I am sure your side's anxious bids to industrialize is equal. It's like an oil field to some, but this is our drinking water! 

I heard yesterday that they often bring a helicopter to chemical wash the blades of the turbines after they become encrusted with bugs who are attracted to the lights.  Imagine that in the Great Lakes and leaks, which always occur in some of the turbines, the accidents, the electrical grid on the Lake Bed, the heavy construction and cement to moor the behemoth towers, and you've got a heady mix of a chemical cocktail.  Imagine also the migration routes, hammered both sides...cuisinart for birds, some call them. Ontario has 203 endangered species, and 50% of all Canadian species travel through of live in a narrow band called the Carolinian Forest, a band from the north shores of Lake Ontario to south of Grand Bend. Very tiny slice of heaven for millions on millions of birds. Disrupt this for a teensie possible bit of wind power? IF the wind blows? Which is doesn't always, so you always need backup. And more backup. Denmark has now increased coal production by 50% to accomodate the fluctuations in wind power! 

Dave's referenced article mentioned property values as well.  in Canada the Federal government prepared a document in 2006 called: Turbulent Wind. In this study they admit that property values drop in three assessted countries by 30% when the turbines are visible.

Top this off with the fact that NO single coal fired plant has shut down because of turbines internationally, and what you have is "green washing." And subsidies that developers rush to claim...your tax dollars and ours.

Thanks for the alert!  We should all be screaming mad.  We will not solve this community by community. We need the kind of cooperation that you suggest, and that fast.