Save The Nation
Save The Nation is a grass-root movement. We oppose the approval process and regulations regarding renewable energy in Ontario. We were also opposed to the Eastern Fields industrial wind turbine project near St-Bernardin in The Nation Municipality and Champlain Township.
Renew your membership to Save The Nation
Save The Nation remains active regarding industrial wind turbines even if projects have been cancelled and the Green Energy Act repealed. The Ontario government is currently reviewing changes to other laws and vigilance is still required.
Show your support to Save The Nation by renewing your membership. For information on renewal or to become a new member, please visit the page Get involved.
Show your support to Save The Nation by renewing your membership. For information on renewal or to become a new member, please visit the page Get involved.
As it unfolded
Save The Nation took a break during the pandemic. This section will be updated soon.
Concerned Citizens of North Stormont
On December 4, 2019, Jeff Yurek, Ontario Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks revoked the approval for Nation Rise Wind Farm. Read the Minister’s letter. Since then, the project proponent appealed the Minister’s decision. The citizen group is moving on with other legal steps. To make a donation their toward legal fees, visit Concerned Citizens of North Stormont.
Ontario Scraps the Green Energy Act
December 7, 2018 - In a media release, the government announced the adoption of the Green Energy Repeal Act.
Excerpt from the news release:
The Green Energy Repeal Act gives government the authority to stop approvals for wasteful energy projects where the need for electricity has not been clearly demonstrated. This will put the brakes on additional projects that will add additional costs to electricity bills that the people of Ontario simply cannot afford. Along with repealing the Green Energy Act, the new legislation gives municipalities the final say over the siting of future energy projects in their communities.
The Ontario Bill 34 received Royal Assent on December 6, 2018. Link to Bill 34, Green Energy Repeal Act, 2018.
Amendments to other acts and regulations
The enactment of this act affects other acts and regulations, namely the Environmental Protection Act, the Renewable Energy Approvals Regulation 359/09 and the Planning Act. You may submit comments regarding proposed amendments through the Environmental Registry. The deadline to submit comments is January 18, 2019.
Links to proposed amendments on the Environmental Registry
Excerpt from the news release:
The Green Energy Repeal Act gives government the authority to stop approvals for wasteful energy projects where the need for electricity has not been clearly demonstrated. This will put the brakes on additional projects that will add additional costs to electricity bills that the people of Ontario simply cannot afford. Along with repealing the Green Energy Act, the new legislation gives municipalities the final say over the siting of future energy projects in their communities.
The Ontario Bill 34 received Royal Assent on December 6, 2018. Link to Bill 34, Green Energy Repeal Act, 2018.
Amendments to other acts and regulations
The enactment of this act affects other acts and regulations, namely the Environmental Protection Act, the Renewable Energy Approvals Regulation 359/09 and the Planning Act. You may submit comments regarding proposed amendments through the Environmental Registry. The deadline to submit comments is January 18, 2019.
Links to proposed amendments on the Environmental Registry
The Ontario Government Introduces Legislation to Repeal the Green Energy Act
September 20, 2018 - In a news release, the government announced that municipalities will have final say on new energy projects.
News release excerpt: The original Green Energy Act led to the disastrous feed-in-tariff program and skyrocketing electricity rates for Ontario families, and took away powers from municipalities to stop expensive and unneeded energy projects in their communities. Under the last government energy rates tripled, hurting families and driving manufacturing jobs out of Ontario. Link to news release.
Why are we applauding this move? This Toronto Sun article sums it up very well. GOLDSTEIN: Good riddance to toxic Green Energy Act. This is also in line with the reasons why we opposed the Eastern Fields project and the Green Energy Act.
News release excerpt: The original Green Energy Act led to the disastrous feed-in-tariff program and skyrocketing electricity rates for Ontario families, and took away powers from municipalities to stop expensive and unneeded energy projects in their communities. Under the last government energy rates tripled, hurting families and driving manufacturing jobs out of Ontario. Link to news release.
Why are we applauding this move? This Toronto Sun article sums it up very well. GOLDSTEIN: Good riddance to toxic Green Energy Act. This is also in line with the reasons why we opposed the Eastern Fields project and the Green Energy Act.
The Ontario Government announces the cancellation of renewable energy projects
July 13, 2018 - Ontario has announced its intention of cancelling several renewable energy projects, including Eastern Fields Wind Project in St-Bernardin. After fighting this project for three years, Save The Nation members are thrilled and relieved by this announcement.
Read the news release: Ontario to Cancel Energy Contracts to Bring Hydro Bills Down
Consult the list of projects to be cancelled: Large Renewable Procurement and Feed-In Tariff Contracts
Read the news release: Ontario to Cancel Energy Contracts to Bring Hydro Bills Down
Consult the list of projects to be cancelled: Large Renewable Procurement and Feed-In Tariff Contracts
Ontario Environment Minister served with summons on violation of the Environmental Protection Act
May 1, 2018 – The president of Wind Concerns Ontario (WCO), a volunteer-led coalition of 30 community groups and many Ontario families, has filed a private prosecution against the Honourable Chris Ballard, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC), for violating Ontario’s Environmental Protection Act (EPA). Read the WCO's media release.
Ontario Environment Ministry sued over failure to protect public from industrial wind turbine noise
January 2018 - Save The Nation fully supports the application for judicial review filed by Dutton Dunwich Opponents of Wind Turbines. The issue of this legal challenge could have an impact on all five industrial wind turbine projects selected in March 2016 by the province in the first phase of a Large Renewable Procurement. Eastern Fields (Parc éolien Gauthier) in St-Bernardin is one of the five projects.
The legal challenge addresses the application of industrial wind turbine noise regulations. If these projects, located in various parts of Ontario, were required to comply with the new guidelines, it is estimated up to three-quarters of these turbines would have to be relocated or removed. For more information on the judicial review, consult the page Legal Cause.
The legal challenge addresses the application of industrial wind turbine noise regulations. If these projects, located in various parts of Ontario, were required to comply with the new guidelines, it is estimated up to three-quarters of these turbines would have to be relocated or removed. For more information on the judicial review, consult the page Legal Cause.
Make a Donation to
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Why are we opposed to this project? |
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Help us offset the cost of expert testimonies and legal fees. To make a donation through PayPal secure website, click on the Donate button. Save The Nation Society is an incorporated non-profit organization. We are not a charitable organization and therefore we do not issue receipts for income tax purposes.
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People new to this topic often ask us: “But this is green, why are you opposed to wind turbines?” In fact, we support real “green initiatives” that truly benefit and protect the environment. We oppose improperly sited projects that harm people, communities and the environment and we definitely oppose a process that ignores the health and welfare of Ontario residents. Read more.
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The Project Phases
Renewable energy project promoters must go through several stages before receiving a notice to proceed allowing them to start construction. Here are the main phases.
Eastern Fields Project is now at this stage:
Environmental Registry - The ministry deemed the promoter's application complete and published an information notice on the Ontario Environmental Registry. We have until July 4, 2018 (45 days) to submit comments regarding this project based on the promoter’s final reports. Any Ontario concerned citizens may submit comments. After the comment period, the ministry may ask the promoter to submit more information or make changes to the plans based on the comments that have been submitted. This phase may take several months.
Decision: The ministry will render a decision on the project application - approved or rejected. To this date, the ministry has systematically approved almost all projects. When a project is approved, a citizen or a community group may appeal to the Environmental Tribunal and ask for the cancellation or the modification of a project. Almost all industrial wind turbine projects in Ontario have been appealed by community groups. This phase may last several years.
So it’s still not a done deal!
- Large Renewable Procurement (LRP1) launched by the province in 2015.
- Announcement of selected projects including Parc éolien Gauthier (Champs de l’Est - Eastern Fields) in March 2016.
- Documents filed with the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) by the promoter in December 2017.
Eastern Fields Project is now at this stage:
Environmental Registry - The ministry deemed the promoter's application complete and published an information notice on the Ontario Environmental Registry. We have until July 4, 2018 (45 days) to submit comments regarding this project based on the promoter’s final reports. Any Ontario concerned citizens may submit comments. After the comment period, the ministry may ask the promoter to submit more information or make changes to the plans based on the comments that have been submitted. This phase may take several months.
Decision: The ministry will render a decision on the project application - approved or rejected. To this date, the ministry has systematically approved almost all projects. When a project is approved, a citizen or a community group may appeal to the Environmental Tribunal and ask for the cancellation or the modification of a project. Almost all industrial wind turbine projects in Ontario have been appealed by community groups. This phase may last several years.
So it’s still not a done deal!
Review of the 2018 Pre-Election Report on Ontario's Finances
April 25, 2018 - The Ontario government’s presentation of the province’s finances in its Pre-Election Report last
month is “not reasonable” because it understates Ontario’s deficit and expense estimates by billions of dollars
over the next three years, Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk said in a report today. Read the news release.
month is “not reasonable” because it understates Ontario’s deficit and expense estimates by billions of dollars
over the next three years, Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk said in a report today. Read the news release.
Auditor General Special Report on the Fair Hydro Plan
October 17, 2017 - According to the Auditor General of Ontario Bonnie Lysyk the accounting proposed by the government is fundamentally wrong. In a special report, she says the provincial government plans to obscure the financial impact of electricity rate cuts. To read the media release or the full report, visit the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario. Click on the image to watch the video.
More noise complaints ignored by the MOECC
September 4, 2017 - According to Wind Concerns Ontario (WCO), the Cornwall Office of the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change did not follow procedure when citizens filed complaints related to noise from industrial wind turbines. WCO’s report reveals a deeply flawed and ineffective process. In a letter, WCO asks to meet with minister Ballard to review the entire noise complaints situation. Read the post and the letter.
Have you seen species at risk? Report your sightings!
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Species at risk and their habitats may be threatened by the construction and operation of industrial wind turbines. Works include widening roads and culverts, constructing access roads for wind turbines, digging for transmission lines and foundations, etc. There are several species at risk in our region. For information about the different species, how to identify them and to report sightings, visit the page Species at Risk.
Property Value Assessment
Obtaining a present day Market Value Report on your property could give you an understanding from an unbiased, legally recognized source to see if your property value has been maintained, increased or decreased. For more information, contact Sean P. McAllister, President & Senior Valuation Analyst at Tarle & McAllister Appraisals Inc.
Government ignored more than 50% of noise complaints related to industrial wind turbines
May 31, 2017 - Documents recently released by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) under Freedom of Information show a deeply flawed process for responding to complaints of excessive noise levels from industrial-scale wind turbines.
Documents released to Wind Concerns Ontario (WCO) show that almost 3,200 reports of noise complaints were made in 2006-2014. In more than half, the government took no action.
Global News broadcasted two news reports on the ministry's failed response. Follow the links to view the videos.
Documents released to Wind Concerns Ontario (WCO) show that almost 3,200 reports of noise complaints were made in 2006-2014. In more than half, the government took no action.
- Read the whole story on Wind Concerns Ontario’s blog.
- Read the report Response to Wind Turbine Complaints by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (PDF)
Global News broadcasted two news reports on the ministry's failed response. Follow the links to view the videos.
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St-Bernardin Project
On March 10th, 2016, the province announced the selection of Parc éolien Gauthier as a result of the evaluation of RFP I for Large Renewable Energy Projects. This project involves approximately 12 industrial wind turbines. In May 2016, the project changed its name to Eastern Fields Wind Power Project.
Phase 1 of the Request for Proposals Launched by IESO
In 2015, IESO (Independent Electricity System Operator) launched the phase 1 of a Request for Proposals for large renewable energy projects.
Two companies proposed projects in the Nation Municipality: one in St-Bernardin and another in St-Isidore. Note that if both projects are eventually constructed, it will be difficult to distinguish them, since close to 70 industrial wind turbines as tall as 65-storey buildings would merge on the horizon.
In March 2016, the province announced the winning projects for phase 1, and St-Bernardin (Eastern Fields) was one of five industrial wind turbine projects selected.
In phase 1, EDF had proposed a 150MW wind energy project at St-Isidore. However this project was not selected by IESO. It is assumed this project would have been re-submitted for phase 2 in 2016. The St-Isidore project included 30 to 50 industrial wind turbines.
Two companies proposed projects in the Nation Municipality: one in St-Bernardin and another in St-Isidore. Note that if both projects are eventually constructed, it will be difficult to distinguish them, since close to 70 industrial wind turbines as tall as 65-storey buildings would merge on the horizon.
In March 2016, the province announced the winning projects for phase 1, and St-Bernardin (Eastern Fields) was one of five industrial wind turbine projects selected.
In phase 1, EDF had proposed a 150MW wind energy project at St-Isidore. However this project was not selected by IESO. It is assumed this project would have been re-submitted for phase 2 in 2016. The St-Isidore project included 30 to 50 industrial wind turbines.
Phase 2 of the Request for Proposals by IESO – SUSPENDED
On September 27, 2016, Ontario announced that phase 2 of the Request for Proposals for new large renewable energy projects was “suspended”, since the province is foreseeing a robust supply of electricity to meet projected demand over the next decade. Read the province's news release.
Note: Suspend does not mean “cancel”. This process could be re-established in the future. This suspension does not apply to Phase 1 projects.
Note: Suspend does not mean “cancel”. This process could be re-established in the future. This suspension does not apply to Phase 1 projects.
Size and Location of Turbines
Industrial wind turbines are massive structures. When a blade goes vertical, it goes up to 695 feet – or the height of a 65-storey building. In comparison, the water tower in St-Isidore is 150 feet high. In Ottawa, no building is that high.
The proposed projects would be built on agricultural land, as close as 550 metres from houses. If the projects were built, St-Isidore and St-Bernardin villages would be completely surrounded by turbines. Here, just like in many other small towns in rural Ontario, a project that starts with a dozen turbines can turn into a 100-turbines or more a few years later.
The proposed projects would be built on agricultural land, as close as 550 metres from houses. If the projects were built, St-Isidore and St-Bernardin villages would be completely surrounded by turbines. Here, just like in many other small towns in rural Ontario, a project that starts with a dozen turbines can turn into a 100-turbines or more a few years later.
Relative Size of an Industrial Wind Turbine
WHAT HAVE I DONE!
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