Wind development and community can work together. With the smart planning and open communications, wind development in rural Ontario can be a win-win. Renewable energy isn't going away and rather than push back against it, we need to help communities be part of the new energy conversation.

Since June, Friends of Wind Ontario has organized a series of events across southern Ontario. Many people have attended meetings in Clinton, Chatham and London to hear speakers from the science, business, utility, legal and government sector, local community members and farmers. These events have been organized to give communities the chance to learn about the facts and benefits about renewable energy and wind development. www.friendsofwind.ca

The positive feedback that we receive on a daily basis speaks for it self. Our public events positively influence public perception of wind power through fact-based and non-confrontational discussions. It is a signal of hope. People across Canada want to invest in renewable energy and are welcoming diversification of energy generation.

Ontario is joining a global movement that is seeing utilities and governments recognize that wind energy is a smart choice for both electricity systems and electricity customers.

The barrier to support the Green Energy Act seems to be a closed mind set.

Compared to other sources, wind-energy is an environmental winner.
It is emission-free, consumes no water, produces no waste and is 100 percent renewable.

Local communities benefit from the taxes and other revenues paid by wind developers. The total for 2010 was about $350.000 for the existing turbines in Kincardine. Building permits, property taxes, community improvement projects and other spin-off benefits have a real and lasting impact on the community.

Wind has been a source of electricity in Europe for decades.
One example illustrates the hundreds of others. There is a small community of 160 citizens at the North Sea in northern Germany. Last June at the University of Guelph - I met the farmer and founder of the first community owned wind park and learned that people have lived within 300 meters of 30 large wind turbines for 19 years. They are all happy and healthy!

I encourage you to visit the 3rd Community Power Conference Nov. 14-15, 2011 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (www.cpconference.ca) and learn more about all energy sources from national and international experts that have been working in the field for a long time.

Mark your calendar for Nov.3, 2011 from 7-9pm at the Port Albert Inn if you are interested to discuss the importance of grassroots support for wind energy.

For more information e-mail rjsplett@hurontel.on.ca
Jutta Splettstoesser
Kincardine