On Friday, July 15th and Saturday, July 16th, the group fighting against the Snowy Ridge Industrial Wind Turbines being constructed west of the village of Bethany, will be holding a two day yard sale to help pay the outstanding legal fees and expenses.
Several weeks ago, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) issued his final decision on the Appeal to the Minister, effectively removing himself from making a ruling, by dismissing objections relating to potential errors in process arising from the refusal of the Environmental Review Tribunal to hear evidence on noise and health, as being matters that could only be addressed in a judicial court.
Likewise, Minister Murray sidestepped addressing the significant contradictions between the Province’s own statement of environmental values, the Green Energy and Economy Act and the Oak Ridges Moraine Act, declaring these matters outside his ministerial scope.
As for the remaining concerns about potential harm to hydrogeological systems, Minister Murray supported the findings of the Tribunal appointed and directed by the MoECC, that construction of the five turbines at Snowy Ridge would not cause serious and irreversible harm.
This was the last possible appeal, in a process designed by the provincial government under the Green Energy Act, to be overwhelmingly stacked in favour of the international industrial wind development corporations. While the group opposing the Snowy Ridge project were aware that fighting these corporations and the government would likely be an almost impossible battle to win, the appeal established important groundwork, including challenging the unfair restriction of evidence, denial of due process and identifying potential problems with sound and subsurface hydrogeology, which all may be critical to the settlement of future complaints by those in the community who are affected by the operations.
The three year process to challenge Capstone Infrastructure, the developer of the project, has cost the community more than $50,000, in addition to the large sums already spent on fighting the Sumac Ridge and Settlers Landing projects. Through generous contributions from individuals and businesses, the Snowy Ridge Opposition organization has been able to cover more than $47,000 of the total costs to date.
This sale will hopefully put the fundraising efforts over the top, with any additional amounts raised to be contributed toward the ongoing legal costs for the Sumac Ridge and Settlers Landing projects in the Pontypool area.
The organizers note there will be a variety of antiques, furnishings, dishware, books, toys and other interesting items offered for sale. If you have something you would like to contribute, please call Kathy Morton at (705) 277-2751 to arrange to drop it off before the sale or bring it to Aunt Laura’s Tearoom and M.R. Art at 1402 Highway 7A, Bethany on Friday, July 15th.
Direct contributions to assist with legal costs, can be made payable and sent to:
SR Opposition Corp.
c/o 1063 Highway 7A, P.O. Box 142
Bethany, Ontario L0A 1A0
By Ron Awde
