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LUCKNOW A group of farmers who say large wind farms are unconstitutional has had their appeals dismissed by a panel of three Divisional Court judges. This is the first appeal to reach the divisional court level. Lucknow hog and cash crop farmers Shawn and Trisha Drennan are one of the four families who are fighting three different wind turbine projects in Western Ontario. The Drennans, who are opposed to the 140-turbine K2 Wind Ontario development, argue the turbines will not only lower property taxes, but the health risks associated with the turbines are too great. They told Farmers Forum in 2013 that one of the largest substations in Ontario between 50 to 60 acres would be 600 metres away from their house; four or five 34,000-volt lines would run in front of their house, and a 230,000-volt transmission line would be buried in the ground in front of their house. According to court documents, one of the turbines will be located 700 metres away from the Drennans house, and 11 more will be within two kilometres. The other wind farms being fought include the 92-turbine Armow wind farm near Kincardine, and the 15-turbine St. Columban project near Seaforth. The four families argued that provincial legislation doesnt allow for a project to be scrapped based on potential health impacts. The judges say the provinces review tribunal didnt make any errors when it ruled there is no proof there are health hazards of living too close to a turbine. |
