CAW turbine fully operational

A Canadian Auto Workers' wind turbine that has sparked protests, petitions and a strong public backlash is now in full operation in Saugeen Shores.

The turbine, at the union's Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, was turned on and the blades began spinning at about 12:30 p.m. Monday, according to Ken Bondy, the CAW's national health, safety and environment co-ordinator.

"It was a long time coming for us, about nine years from the initial thought process," he said Tuesday in an interview.

He said the turbine is expected to generate enough "green energy" to offset 350 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year.

While the union is celebrating the "milestone" — it is the first union-owned and operated wind turbine in Canada — opponents of the project are still fuming.

Karen Hunter, spokeswoman for Saugeen Turbine Operation Policy (STOP), said the group is "extremely disappointed" the CAW has decided to "roll the dice and take a chance on our health and their own employees' health.

"They've chosen to ignore the massive evidence that turbines located too close to people destroy health. Their decision to start the turbine shows that the CAW's priorities are money first, people second."

She said STOP will continue to be involved in "noise monitoring and legal action."

STOP and other opponents of the CAW turbine say it is too close to homes and, as a result, threatens the health and safety of many people and reduces the value of nearby residential properties.

About 100 homes are within 550 metres of the turbine, which is the minimum setback in the Green Energy Act. The turbine is exempt from the act since approval was granted before it became law.

Bondy said complaint forms were distributed to every home within a 1,500-metre radius of the turbine, which he said is more than double what was required by the province.

"If there are any complaints, we will deal with those on an immediate basis," he said.

He said he is confident concerns will dissipate once residents experience the turbine in operation.

The turbine was built despite attempts to stop its construction.

Saugeen Shores council tried in 2006 by voting down a rezoning application to permit turbines. The CAW appealed and won at an Ontario Municipal Board hearing in 2007. Council also approved a 2,000-metre setback for wind turbines in 2011, but the rule has no teeth since turbine approvals rest with the province under the Green Energy Act.

Last fall, Saugeen Shores council formally asked the CAW to postpone activating the turbine until Health Canada completes a planned study on the relationship between turbine noise and human health. Results of the study are expected in 2014.

The CAW said it followed all legal and regulatory requirements for new turbines and would not delay turning it on.

Bondy said Tuesday the union plans to develop other ways to reduce its carbon footprint, including investigating the installation of solar panels at the Family Education Centre.

But a second turbine is not in the plans, he said, adding the union did not anticipate the level of opposition or "anxiety" it would create in the community.