City of Saskatoon kills proposed wind turbine project at landfill
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Saskatoon Light & Power Health Reports
(Too Little Too Late)
The SWTC has found a detailed analysis of the wind industry funded literature review and Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health’s literature review on the effects of wind turbines on human health. These documents have also been sent to members of Council to ensure they can reach an informed decision. Both of these analyses strongly demonstrate the failings of the reports Saskatoon Light and Power is claiming state no adverse health effects will result from constructing their tall wind turbine.
The analysis of each report was prepared by the Society for Wind Vigilance, a international organization of renowned medical professionals and peer reviewed scientists. The Society is Chaired by Dr. Robert McMurtry, Canada’s former Deputy Minister of Public Health, a former special advisor to the Romanow Commission on the future of healthcare in Canada and 2011 Order of Canada recipient.
First Report Posted by Saskatoon Light & Power
Analysis of – Wind Turbine Sound and Health Effects – An Expert Panel Review – December 2009
Second Report Posted by Saskatoon Light & Power
Analysis – The Potential Health Impact of Wind Turbines (Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) Ontario Report) – May 2010
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John Gormley Show – Supporting Documentation
Setbacks that Shed Light on What The City of Saskatoon is Trying to Do
Better Setbacks are Out There
Concerned Professional Engineer talking to Saskatoon Light and Power Engineer
Click here to see the email
Wind Turbine Syndrome Research Dating back to 2006!
Good information, written by PHds, so a bit of a tough read
The following link is worth checking out. I like this article because it is well done (not fancy), the man was in his eighties, lived in a wind turbine filled country, and he is an engineer.
Strong argument against wind energy by an Engineer living in Netherlands!!
Here is a link to the Public Engagement document (it is very thorough):
From Canadian Wind Energy Association
John Gormley Interview
CTV News Story
Click Here for CTV Saskatoon Website
Is The Saskatoon Tall Wind Turbine a Responsible Green Solution?
Some quick facts about the Saskatoon Tall Wind Turbine project
1. $5 million of your tax dollars (local, provincial, federal) are being spent on the Saskatoon Wind Turbine.
2. Saskatchewan Resource Council classified the Saskatoon Tall Wind Turbine project as “marginal”.
3. The landfill location is rated as a 2 (second worst rating on a scale of 1 to 7).
4. No economic feasibility study has been performed for the Saskatoon Tall Wind Turbine Project.
5. Saskatoon Light and Power has promised that this project will pay for itself in five years. Other installations across the world have demonstrated that this is only possible by raising your rates of electricity.
6. No health study with regard to citizens has been carried out for the Saskatoon Tall Wind Turbine.
7. The turbo-Expander and methane gas re-capture facility (part of the Green Energy Park that is to include the wind turbine) make sense for the location (SaskEnergy has a major gas facility there and the landfill is full of methane gas), why not focus on these areas that make sense..
8. Saskatoon Light and Power has demonstrated with their planning that this project is more about cash grabs of money from other levels of government than demonstrating that they are interested in generating affordable, safe and reliable power.
9. Saskatoon Light and Power is not in the power generation business, they should leave that to SaskPower.
10. The proposed wind turbine is only 780m from citizens while in Victoria, Australia wind turbines cannot be built within 5KM of a municipality. Why are they doing that and we are not?
11. There are over 3 dozen examples in other parts of the world following similar best practices as Victoria, Australia.
12. Wind turbine projects are being stopped across the world.
| All funds received are going to be used to hire professional advisors in the field as well as raise awareness through advertising and media. Any excess funds at the end of the campaign are going to be donated to the Saskatoon Food Bank. | |
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| Mail: Payable To: Montgomery Community Association3101 Ortona Street Saskatoon, SK S7M-3R3 *A special thank you to the Montgomery Community Association for collecting funds and handling bookkeeping. |
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“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you,
then they fight you, then you win.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Keep in mind that the creators of this petition ARE NOT opposed to wind turbines, however, the current plan to construct a wind turbine at the landfill is not properly thought through.
Our apologies that this petition description is a bit lengthy, but it is not a simple problem. Please take the time to read and understand, we know that everyone is very busy these days and time is at a premium, but this is an important issue close to home. We have the opportunity to stop this mistake before it happens and ensure a proper solution is implemented instead.
Quietly and quickly, the City of Saskatoon has approved the installation of a tall wind turbine atop the city landfill located in the South West region of Saskatoon. Many citizens are not aware of the turbine project and most of those that are aware of the project, are not aware of many of the negative effects of installing a large wind turbine so close to human residences and places of work.
The creators of this petition are NOT against wind power. The creators of this petition ARE against the current plan and how the current implementation has been carried out. For some reason, the city of Saskatoon has chosen to speed the project along with very little input from citizens.
All we are asking is for you to take some time to read the supporting material that we have collected regarding other wind turbine implementations around the world. Some of the major issues are:
Again, it is important to remember that the creators of this petition strongly support Green Energy alternatives. HOWEVER, the creators of this petition also believe that erecting a Wind Turbine and calling it “The City’s New Landmark” is not the proper approach. We live in Saskatchewan, and as a result, there are lots of spots with wind that are not surrounded by residents and employees.
To be fair to the city, you can find information about the project from their point of view as well as the various studies that they have done. Do not bother looking for the survey handed out to nearby residents and employees because one was never conducted (they did have a formal public show and tell).
City of Saskatoon Tall Turbine Web Page
It would have been nice if the City actually did as much research on behalf of humans as they did for birds and bats. You will note that the City did include the follow excerpt on their website:
“The landfill was chosen for the wind turbine site because it offers a rich wind resource, and more importantly because it allows the furthest possible setback distance from residences anywhere within Saskatoon Light & Power’s Service Area. This is important to ensure there are no potential health impacts to Saskatoon residents. Studies have been completed and indicate that the worst-case sound and shadow flicker levels from the wind turbine will be below levels permitted under the most stringent guidelines world-wide.”
THE MOST IMPORTANT text in the above excerpt is “within Saskatoon Light & Power’s Service Area”. This is why citizens are being forced to have a turbine in their backyards, because of funding and cooperation between Saskatoon Light & Power and SaskPower.
IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT to note that the City has included ZERO links/documents/proof to support the statement “Studies have been completed …. under the most stringent guidelines world-wide”
We strongly recommend calling, writing and/or emailing the lead contact on this project:
For information or to comment:
Kevin Hudson, P. Eng., Alternative Energy Engineer
Saskatoon Light & Power, City of Saskatoon
Phone: (306) 975-3045
Fax: (306) 975-3057
Email: Kevin.Hudson@Saskatoon.ca
On the 22nd of November, 2011 the City of Saskatoon met with contractors to discuss the project and show the interested contractors the build site. During the site visit one of the contractors asked if anyone was opposed to the Wind Turbine Project. The response was (paraphrased), “Yes, but it is just a small group”. Let’s change that!!
We are reaching out to compassionate citizens to consider the facts and get the City of Saskatoon to reconsider the approach. Let’s make this issue about Green Energy and not about bragging rights , control of the Turbine or some ridiculous landmark!!!
Your time and consideration are greatly appreciated by everyone who would be negatively impacted by this poorly thought out energy initiative.
It is time for the City of Saskatoon to take on this project in a responsible fashion. It is up to us (We The People) to hold them responsible.
Thank You
P.S. If you want us to answer specific questions, add to the petition, send feedback, please do so!
You can email us at:
