Chatham-Kent (CK) Councillors voted down two motions that would allow a total of roughly 30 wind turbines to be erected in the municipality.
The council received a petition with over 1,000 signatures and heard from 20 residents who spoke about their concerns about the wind turbines.
Noting heavy metals in well water, dangers to local species, negative visual impact to the landscape, as well as side effects from the vibration and hum of the turbines.
Both Capstone and EDF Power Solutions were given the opportunity to present their case, but, given the early stage of the planning process, they were unable to provide definitive answers, which led to the motions being denied.
“It was clear there was just not enough information for the majority of council to feel comfortable voting in favour of it tonight,” said Councillor Alysson Storey. “It appeared to me that once those questions could not be answered in a satisfactory way because we're so early in the process, a lot of folks just were not comfortable putting our friends and neighbours at risk.”
This was the only time this issue would be brought to council in this manner, and although the motion was intended only to approve the next steps, the Council's legal team advised that supporting the motion would make it difficult to avoid fully committing to the proposals in the future.
Councillor Morena McDonald created an amendment to the original motions, but they were still not passed: 4-13 and 6-11.
A notice of motion, brought forward by Councillor Amy Finn, will not allow for any new wind turbines in the municipality.
The motion will be voted on at the next council meeting on October 20.
