For Immediate Release:
August 27, 2010
Simcoe – Opposition Environment Critic Toby Barrett is encouraging people to have their say on offshore wind power.
“The McGuinty Government has forced land-based wind power across rural Ontario, in the process trampling landowner rights and municipal oversight,” Barrett noted. “Now that they’ve turned their sights offshore, we should ensure all those who have concerns are able to raise their voices.”
The public commentary period on the environmental bill of rights (EBR) has been posted for a 47 day public review and comment period ending October 04, 2010.
Specifically, government is seeking input into potential offshore areas and criteria that should be taken into consideration which may constrain future development as well as to invite comment on where, when and how the Government should make offshore areas of Crown land available for offshore wind development.
“I have had a number of meetings and conversations with those concerned about the varying impacts of offshore wind,” stated Barrett. “From bird migration, fish habitat considerations and navigation concerns, it’s important that government hear from those who have spent much of their lives working on and learning about the many facets of – in our case locally – Lake Erie, to ensure its protection.”
All comments on this proposal must be directed to: John Friberg, Program Officer – Ministry of Natural Resources, Policy Division, Renewable Energy Program, 300 Water Street – Floor 5, Robinson Place South Tower, Peterborough, ON K9J 8M5
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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at
(519) 428-0446 or (905)-765-8413, 1-800-903-8629