With new wind turbine projects possibly on the horizon in Chatham-Kent, a Chatham-Kent councillor is bringing a motion at tonight’s council meeting that will tell wind companies that Chatham-Kent does not support the establishment of any new wind turbine projects within the municipality.
Rhonda Jubenville is bringing the unwilling host motion forward. According to her motion the province’s Independent Electrical System Operator (IESO) is putting out three requests for proposals for new wind power projects in Chatham-Kent, although the municipality says that they have not received any wind project proposals at this time.
If the motion passes, the municipality could tell potential wind turbine applicants that Chatham-Kent is an unwilling host of their project. It could also mean the municipality might lose out on millions of dollars in tax revenue, community benefit payments, dividends and infrastructure improvements.
Wind turbines have been a controversial subject in Chatham-Kent over the past decade, with many rural residents coming forward to say that wind turbines are responsible for ruining their well water and making it unsafe to drink or use.