Premier McGuinty’s proposed new Green Energy Act that will not allow people to block wind turbine and solar energy projects will likely over-rule Bluewater Council’s setback by-law.
The by-law dictates how far Northland Power’s wind turbine project should be setback from the East side of Highway 21.
Council voted in favour of a 1,000 metre setback and Northland Power responded with an Ontario Municipal Board appeal.
Mayor Bill Dowson can’t see why Northland Power would go ahead with their appeal because it looks like what council passed will be overturned by the Province.
Dowson says some municipalities are a little upset with the fact that the Province may over-rule their official plans if the Act is passed.
He says it’s one thing for the Province to come in and dictate some setbacks but it’s another thing to over-rule official plans.
Only time will tell what exactly the act regulates and how that conflicts with Huron County and its lower tier’s official plans.
The Province has tabled legislation it believes will make it easier and quicker for prospective developers to bring green energy onto the grid.
