CENTRAL ONTARIO: Province orders removal of wind turbine project

PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY — A year after the province revoked the approval of an Eastern Ontario wind project, the government is making moves to tear it down and get it cleaned up.

The White Pines Wind Project, a nine-turbine project partially completed by the time of its cancellation last year, was a hotbed of local controversy, with groups coming out strongly for and against the project.

The project had been especially criticized because it had gotten its notice to proceed by the Ontario Liberal government very close to the provincial election. The Progressive Conservatives, who won the election in a landslide, described the move as an unacceptable break with the convention of governments not making big changes close to elections to avoid unnecessary taxpayer spending.

The wind power company suggested the cancellation could cost taxpayers as much as $100 million, with the province responding that the province will pay the company compensation but taxpayers will save money in the long-run.

Negotiations are ongoing between the company and the province as to the exact compensation.

The new regulations require the wind power company to take down the turbines and clean up the site. The project was initially approved in 2009 under the Green Energy Act. There are four operating wind turbine projects in Eastern Ontario.