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Energy
- Local
July 09
and ongoing:
Decision Time in Prince
Edward County
- Wind Energy
Our local
papers have recently had articles and letters about energy, particularly
about wind energy. The letters indicate a polarization of opinions on wind
farm development. There are opinions for and against, or proposals that seek
to delay by demanding more studies.
As one
county of the province
of Ontario, PEC is
principally a producer of farm products and concrete. Except for local wood,
virtually all of our energy comes from elsewhere via liquid or gas fuels, or the
Hydro One grid. In a study last year
we discovered that forests of PEC could sustainably produce just barely
enough energy to heat the local homes at that time.
Like it or
not, change is happening in our once stable energy world, and vital decisions
are needed in the near future that will have a long term impact on our unique
island community. The CSG Energy appendix section will attempt to become an
up-to-date information resource centre about the County's energy issue.
WindTruth
– Where we stand
CSG Energy Team Comment on GEA and the Wind Farm Debate
Find
where you fit into the imaginary box of polar extremes on this divisive
issue.
(also see
energy in the Global/Local Issues section)
During the
20th century the lives of most Canadians have been greatly enhanced by energy
flow either in the form of electricity or the liquid fuels that energize
transportation. We have not had to think about it much -- we flip a switch
and things work. But that’s changing.
The public
media carry feature articles dealing with energy issues, from the price of
oil to need for alternative sources. It has been a slow process from the peak
oil warnings that started decades ago until now, when finally some
politicians are beginning to understand and take action on the vital
importance of energy flow for our well being. Following the lead of
some European countries in developing renewable energy, we now have the Ontario
Green Energy Act , taking effect early in 2009.
In the
meantime, there have been some false starts toward replacing fossil fuels.
For example, there are the abortive corn ethanol efforts that governments and
farmers loved because of the promise of increased human activity and economic
growth. The bad news is finally
getting through that with this source, energy out is less than the energy in
(EI:EO).
Fortunately,
there are many viable sources of renewable energy -- geothermal, tidal,
hydro, and others. In the our county and the Great Lakes basin area in
general, hydro, wind and solar are the most viable, each with great
potential. But as yet only hydro has much impact on energy we use today.
Because of
global warming, peak oil, and other issues, it would be appropriate for all
governments to consider emergency measures on a worldwide scale, to bring
about an appropriate sense of urgency on these Global and Local Issues. But would the voters let them?
Current
data and Links
Windfarms: Pro and Con
Everyone should be informed on
some of the key global energy issues. A few of these are discussed in the
following:
*Association of the Study of Peak Oil and
Gas: http://www.peakoil.net/
*The Hubbert Peak:
http://www.hubbertpeak.com/
*Richard Heinberg’s page: http://www.richardheinberg.com/
Energy
Links:
Windfarms: Pro and Con
With proliferating proposals to harvest wind energy in various regions of
Southern Ontario, there are action groups "for" and
"against". Here are a  couple
of examples that include further links to others. Both sides weave a
web of information with reports, studies and testimonials to support
their views. This information may help open-minded individuals make
informed decisions.
On the “Pro” side is CAIRE
- Citizens of Amherst Island for Renewable Energy state their case in favour
of the wind energy project with a very well documented page: http://www.whywind.org/
Members of
the County Sustainability Group (CSG) have written letters to local editors
and made presentations to County Council in attempt to raise awareness of the
urgency of the energy/global warming crises.
On the
“Con” side is, The
Alliance to Protect Prince Edward County from wind farms. Their website is http://www.appec.ca/
Provincial wide organizations
I
Support Windpower
is a website that provides an easy means for responsible Ontario citizens to
lend their name to the support of wind energy. It also gives many more
web references, including video testimonial comments from people living near
windfarms.
See: http://www.isupportwindpower.com/
Ontario Clean Air Alliance
supports the rapid phase out of coal as energy source.
Ontario Sustainable Energy
Association (OSEA): An organization that is a buffer between the Ontario
government and the community on energy issues.
http://www.ontario-sea.org/Page.asp?PageID=122&ContentID=1141
NEWS: Follow the
emerging news about Ontario's Green Energy Act
Wind Energy Associations:
The Canadian Solar Industries Associations <www.cansia.ca>
Canadian Wind Energy Association: <www.canwea.ca>
[See March 08 Update on wind energy contribution to the global grid,
including Canada] Canadian Wind Energy Association deals with fact and
fiction regarding wind farms.
Canadian Association for Renweable Energy CAIRE
American Wind Energy Association: <www.awea.org>
British Wind Energy Association: <www.britishwindenergy.co.uk>
Citizens for Renewable Energy CFRE (Canadian) <www.cfre.ca>
Windfarm developers
Canadian
Hydro Developers: <http://www.canhydro.com/index.htm>
This company has inherited the Royal Road project from VisionQuest, who
completed an environmental assessment about four years ago.
CanHydro's
Royal Road Wind farm project: <www.royalroadwind.com>
Skypower: This company is assembling land in South Marysburgh, and has two
test towers near Milford. (Wellington Times Nov. 21/07) http://www.skypower.com/CompMissCore.html
http://www.skypower.com/Largewindfarms.html
http://www.skypower.com/Solarparks.html
Independent Power Corp: This company has installed many wind projects in
Europe in the past decade, and now has an office in Mississauga. It is
currently seeking land to install up to 100 generators in South Marysburgh.
(Wellington Times, Nov. 21/07) http://www.independentpowercorp.ca/
Gilead Power: A privately owned Canadian company based in Peterborough
Ontario. "Gilead Power is currently developing 20 MW wind energy project
on the south shore of Prince Edward County. Currently underway is the
environmental assessment, electrical interconnection studies and the wind
monitoring campaign. This area supports some of the best wind regimes in the
province." See: http://www.gileadpower.com/
Gaia Power Inc: This company is a primary wind energy developer in
Saskatchewan, with an office in Kingston. They have secured land in Athol, in
the old Army reserve. http://www.gaiapower.com/
Offshore Wind Potential:
Trillium Power Energy Corp, proposes 140 generators south of Prince Edward
County
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=45079
Local Renewable Energy Companies:
Many local companies participated in
a recent conference by SWITCH, of Kingston.
They are listed at:
http://switchkingston.ca/workshop/workshop_content.php
Bullfrog Power:
 Enables
any homeowner to contribute to green energy growth by paying a guaranteed
fixed rate for green electricity on their normal hydro bill. Bullfrog
does the work by building windfarms and solar or hydro systems. ttp://www.bullfrog.com/
Quantum Renewable Energy Inc. is a full-service renewable energy company
located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. They provide all aspects of system
setup: <www.quantumenergy.ca>
Articles on Energy Issues:
Oil Sands: The Albertan wilderness will soon be invaded by BP in an oil
exploration project dubbed "The biggest environmental crime in
history." See the article by Cahal Milmo from 10 December 2007 <http://environment.independent.co.uk/article3239364.ece>
Miscellaneous Energy Awareness Efforts:
Faiths United For Sustainable Energy: http://fusenow.org/
<<<<>>>>
This section will be updated from time to time as new information becomes
available. Keep tuned!
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