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Frequently Asked Questions
What is “wind power”?
Wind power is a form of solar
energy. Heat from the sun creates wind circulation patterns in the
Earth’s atmosphere. Energy from the wind can be harnessed directly to
sail a boat or through a windmill to grind grain. The windmills
originated by the Dutch in the 17th century were used to
reclaim thousands of acres of land. Multi-bladed farm windmills covered
rural Canada in the early part of this century as tools for pumping
water. The energy from the wind can also be converted to electricity
when a windmill spins the rotor of a turbine. Advances in aerodynamics
and materials have made electricity generation from wind turbines
economically viable.
What is a “wind farm”?
Wind farms are clusters of wind
turbines that generate electricity. Wind is a renewable resource that
produces clean energy - no emissions, no waste products. Wind farms are
located in areas with reliably favorable wind speeds.
What is “renewable energy”?
Renewable energy is energy obtained
from sources that are essentially inexhaustible. Renewable energy is
typically compared to the burning of fossil fuels of which there is a
finite supply. Renewable energy sources tend to cause relatively few
environmental impacts and pose a low risk to human health. Renewables
include technologies such as solar photovoltaic energy, solar thermal
energy, wind power, run-of-river hydro power, geothermal energy, and
biomass energy.
What is “green power”?
Green power is a term synonymous
with renewable energy resource products. Resulting in lower air
pollution emissions and no nuclear waste, green power is cleaner than
electricity from traditional sources. Green power is also more
environmentally friendly, because it comes from electricity resources
that are renewable. Examples include the sun, water, wind, biomass (the
burning of agricultural or other wastes, and geothermal (heat from the
earth). The phrase is increasingly being used to describe market-based
choices for electricity consumers to purchase power from environmentally
preferred technologies.
What is EcoLogo®
certified low-impact renewable energy?
The Government of Canada supports the development and
use of renewable and environmentally sound alternatives to fossil fuel
for power generation. EcoLogo® certification for low-impact
renewable energy is designed to encourage a shift in the marketplace
from electricity generated by burning fossil fuels such as coal, to
renewable low-impact sources such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, biogas,
and biomass. As a recipient of
Environment Canada's EcoLogo® designation
under the Environmental Choice Program, Canadian
Hydro’s power generation has met stringent environmental criteria and
contributes to the goals of cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gases.
Why is there so much interest in
Wind Power and Green Power these days?
There are a variety of reasons for
the increasing interest in Wind Power and Green Power, including:
·
Reducing reliance on burning of the world’s finite supply
of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, for our energy
needs, and moving toward the development of renewable energy sources
· There is significant concern about air pollution from coal
burning power plants and other fossil fuel burning facilities. Concern
focuses on health impacts, greenhouse gases which contribute to climate
change, and acid rain damage to rivers, lakes, forests, and farms. The
Ontario Medical Association estimates
that air pollution in Ontario costs more than $10 billion per year in
health care costs and related expenses and kills an estimated 2,000
Ontarians each year.
· There is significant concern about continued reliance on,
or expansion of, nuclear energy facilities. Wind power and green power
projects, combined with increased energy conservation, can help reduce
the need for expensive nuclear generation and its nuclear waste
byproducts.
·
Most people understand that using wind power and green
power can help preserve the environment – and they want to be part of
the solution.
Will I be able to buy green power
directly from Canadian Hydro?
Canadian Hydro is not a retailer of
electricity. We understand that many people wish to be able to directly
support green power projects with their electricity buying dollars. The
green power electricity produced by the Wolfe Island Wind Project
will become part of Ontario’s available electricity supply. Under
Ontario’s open-market system you can choose to purchase electricity from
different suppliers, including your local utility or Hydro One. The
Ontario Clean Air Alliance
lists open market suppliers of green power in Ontario on its Electricity
Choices website (www.electricitychoices.org),
together with details on what these suppliers offer to consumers.
How can I find out
about having wind turbines installed on my property?
We have received a lot of interest from local
landowners who would like us to consider their properties for Canadian
Hydro wind turbines as part of our Wolfe Island Wind Project.
If you have a property you would like us to consider
within the project area of study,
please contact us and let us know your thoughts about the project.
At this time we cannot make any commitments, but we can keep your name
and property details on file for future reference.
Turbine siting is a finicky, technical business
involving evaluation of site topography, long-term wind data (including
speed, direction, air pressure, temperature, and variations of these
according to time of day and season etc.), proximity to access roads and
electrical transmissions lines, and other factors. While the region has
generally strong and reliable winds, not every property is technically
suitable for wind turbines.
How will you assess potential
effects of the Wolfe Island Wind Project?
The Environmental Assessment Act
provides for the protection, conservation and wise management of
Ontario’s environment by establishing a responsible and accountable
process for decision-making before a project is undertaken. The
definition of environment includes air, land, and water, as well as
natural, cultural, social, and economic components. Canadian Hydro has
retained Stantec Consulting Ltd. (Stantec)
to prepare an Environmental Screening Report as required under Ontario
Regulation 116/01 of the Environmental Assessment Act for the
Wolfe Island Wind Project. The Environmental
Screening Process will commence before detailed project planning,
site layout, and facility design. The process includes initial
consultation with the public and agencies to identify any issues or
concerns, assessment of negative effects, the development of mitigation
and impact management plans, and additional consultation on the results
of the Screening Report.
I’m interested in the Wolfe Island Wind Project -
how can I stay informed and provide input?
This website is one of many tools
Canadian Hydro is using to engage stakeholders, and help people stay
informed and provide input to the project.
We will begin the Wolfe Island Wind
Project by notifying potentially interested and affected stakeholders
through meetings with local elected officials in the project area and publishing a
Notice of Project Commencement in the
local press
As the project progresses we will
hold an open house, publish a newsletter, and meet with interested
stakeholders and local organizations as appropriate.
We have established this website and
an email address (comments@wolfeislandwind.com),
to enhance communication and provide avenues for comments and input.
I’ve heard that wind turbines can
have an impact on birds, other wildlife and natural habitats – is this
true?
To get an accurate picture of any
potential impact on birds, other wildlife and natural habitats, Canadian
Hydro has retained Stantec Consulting
Ltd. (Stantec) to prepare an Environmental Screening Report as
required under Ontario Regulation 116/01 of the Environmental
Assessment Act. Stantec’s ecologists have many years of experience
and have completed numerous projects in the areas of ecosystem planning,
habitat restoration, and wildlife and environmental impact assessment.
One of Stantec’s ecologists is currently writing a book on
the habitat requirements, limiting
factors and status of the birds of Ontario.
Existing studies of bird mortality
and wind turbines indicate that the potential for bird mortality is low
– about two birds per turbine per year, which is less than the average
car, barn cat, or house cat. Existing studies of wildlife and natural
habitats similarly indicate minimal impacts. However, conditions vary
significantly across wind farm sites and it is very important to conduct
detailed studies to determine potential impacts at each site.
Stakeholder input and comment on environmental screening study design
can assist significantly in the assessment of impacts – please contact
Rob Nadolny at 1-519.836.6050 or email
comments@wolfeislandwind.com
with your input or suggestions.
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