LOCATION/TYPE

NEWS HOME

[ exact phrase in "" • results by date ]

[ Google-powered • results by relevance ]


Archive
RSS

Add NWW headlines to your site (click here)

Get weekly updates

WHAT TO DO
when your community is targeted

RSS

RSS feeds and more

Keep Wind Watch online and independent!

Donate via Paypal

Donate via Stripe

Selected Documents

All Documents

Research Links

Alerts

Press Releases

FAQs

Campaign Material

Photos & Graphics

Videos

Allied Groups

Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005.

News Watch Home

OMB reserves decision on CHD transformers 

At the end of a one-day continuation of the Ontario Municipal Board hearing into the transformers for the Melancthon II wind project, hearing officer Norman Jackson ruled that the hearing had ended but he would not deliver his decision and order for several weeks.

The decision and final order turn on approval of a second transformer at the substation near the 10th Line and 15 Sideroad in Amaranth.

There is no longer any dispute over Amaranth’s 22 turbines or pre-servicing, although individual site-specific site-plan approvals will be needed.

The decision might not be an easy one for Mr. Jackson to reach.

Simply stated, the existing transformer is in compliance with the Ministry of Environment (MOE) guidelines on noise but Paul Thompson, a nearby neighbour, along with Ted and Cheryl Whitworth, say there’s a constant humming.

Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. (CHD), nonetheless, is replacing the present transformer with a quieter model and twinning it with a second one that’s required for the total capacity (about 200 megawatts) of the Melancthon I and Melancthon II wind farms, and erecting more sound barriers as well as looking for the source of “reflective” noise.

The present transformer has a guaranteed maximum noise level within the substation enclosure of 83 decibels.

The two new transformers would have a guaranteed maximum noise level of the same 83 decibels, but two acoustical experts testified that the test noise level would be 71 decibels.

However, Mr. Thompson says he is not satisfied with the tests, as they weren’t conducted under field conditions, and neither the experts nor CHD would guarantee a reduction to the 71 decibels.

Perhaps complicating the issue, Mr. Thompson has launched a $1.25-million lawsuit against CHD and the owner of the substation site.

As well, CHD has time constraints for completion of construction of Amaranth’s 22 turbines and power lines, along with other requirements, failing which its agreements with the township would expire.

Mr. Jackson’s decision and order are expected before the end of the month.

By Wes Keller
Freelance Reporter

Orangeville Citizen

6 March 2008

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.

Wind Watch relies entirely
on User Funding
   Donate via Paypal
(via Paypal)
Donate via Stripe
(via Stripe)

Share:

e-mail X FB LI TG TG Share


News Watch Home

Get the Facts
CONTACT DONATE PRIVACY ABOUT SEARCH
© National Wind Watch, Inc.
Use of copyrighted material adheres to Fair Use.
"Wind Watch" is a registered trademark.

 Follow:

Wind Watch on X Wind Watch on Facebook

Wind Watch on Linked In Wind Watch on Mastodon