Angry residents attended a public meeting to oppose a proposed offshore wind farm development in Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. The company, SouthPoint Wind, aims to eventually install around 700 turbines offshore from Amherstburg. Residents at the meeting expressed concerns about the visual impact of the turbines, potential environmental effects, and questions about the project that remained unanswered. The company said they will provide more details at a future public meeting to address residents' issues and concerns about the project.

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Angry residents oppose offshore wind farm proposal
Wind company aims to provide more details at next meeting
Posted By Ron Giofu/The Amherstburg Echo
Posted 10 hours ago
Daniel Sharon addresses the crowd about SouthPoint Wind's proposed offshore wind farm
that would see 700 turbines in Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. About 100 people strongly
opposed the idea at a public meeting in Amherstburg Saturday night.
AMHERSTBURG — Approximately 100 residents turned out to a public meeting Saturday night and loudly voiced
opposition to a proposed wind farm development.
SouthPoint Wind is proposing a wind development that, when completed, would have roughly 700 turbines in Lake
Erie and Lake St. Clair. A total of 55 turbines would be located one to two kilometers off of Lakewood Beach shoreline
in Amherstburg with five in the first phase and the remainder in the next phase.
The turbines would be roughly 80 meters in height and 300
meters apart. Should the project fully develop, there would
be 13 clusters of 55 turbines in both lakes.
Daniel Sharon, president of North Coast Strategies, spoke
on behalf of the company for much of the meeting due to his
public relations background. He said that interest in such a
project first came several years ago when offshore turbines
were proposed off of Kingsville. A moratorium was placed
on the project but that has since been lifted with the
province's Green Energy Act now governing renewable
energy projects.
Sharon said they are still awaiting guidelines from the
province on the governance of offshore wind projects.
"We are at the initial stages," he said.
Amherstburg residents in attendance were clear in their
opposition to the project. Sharon Cornellier said she doesn't want to look out her window at "hideous monstrosities" in
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the water. Cornellier said she was "appalled" by the proposal and wanted no part of turbines off the shoreline near her
home.
Others agreed, with some worrying that turbines could one day spread from Amherstburg to Leamington.
"Once it starts, it's not going to stop," blasted local resident Anne Koehl.
Mary Jane Santos said the town is "lucky" to have 25% of the world's fresh water nearby in the Great Lakes and was
concerned about the possibility of that being negatively impacted. She suggested going to another site instead of in
the water.
"Is there not another place where there is wind?" she questioned.
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Bill Anderson, a local resident who is also a member of Wind Concerns Ontario, wondered if pollution settled at the
bottom of the lakes and covered by sand would be disturbed construction. He also voiced concerns over the potential
of leakage from oil drums that would help run the turbines as well as what would happen in case of heavy ice on the
lakes.
Sharon indicated environmental issues are of concern and that they would also constantly monitor the lakebed both
during and after construction.
Poor communication with the townspeople was the belief of resident Allan Parks. He wanted to ensure that the
proponents would give answers to the many questions being posed.
"These are valid concerns," said Parks.
Dr. John Spellman told the public there are many avenues to appeal such a development and urged co-operation with
surrounding municipalities on this issue.
"There is a long way they have to go," said Spellman.
Sharon said if things go well, the first turbines could go in sometime in 2011 or 2012. The second phase would occur
five to ten years after that. He told the frustrated audience that they would look into many of their issues and to also
contact Essex MPP Bruce Crozier with concerns. He added that more details of the project are on the company's
website at www.southpointwind.com.
"Our intent is to engage the public in a public process," he said after the meeting.
Sharon added they aim to have more detailed responses to questions when another public meeting is called.
"We will be back."
Article ID# 2516029
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