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Windmills Campaign History

Toronto Hydro is studying wind speeds in Lake Ontario off the Scarborough Bluffs with the hopes of installing an off-shore wind farm in eastern Toronto.

The first stage of the project - installing a wind-measuring device (an anemometer) in the lake was nearly blocked by local residents in 2008 at the Scarborough Community Council, and again in spring 2010. In 2011, Executive Committee considered removing the anemometer a year early, but rejected it.

TEA was active in ensuring that the voices of residents across Toronto were heard by Council in both 2008 and 2010.

 

Timeline of Recent Events:

November 2011 - Executive Committee votes not to remove TO Hydro anemometer before end of study. Read decision here.

February 11, 2011 - Ministry of the Environment creates a moratorium on all off-shore wind power development in Ontario.


August 24, 2010 - Public comment period ends for draft Approval Requirements. 

June 24, 2010 - Ministry of the Environment posts draft Approval Requirements for Off-Shore Wind Facilities in Ontario for public comment. Proposal includes 5km Shoreline Exclusion Zone for all off-shore projects, as well as required studies on human and environmental impacts. 

May 11, 2010 - SCC vote of April 29 ruled Out of Order by City Council as Executive Committee had already debated wind turbines

April 29, 2010 - Scarborough Community Council votes to ban industrialization of Scarborough's waterfront. Many public and NGO deputations on benefits of industrial off-shore projects (i.e. wind).

April 19, 2010 - Executive Committee meeting - many public deputations on the health and environmental impacts of Wind in response to to Councillors Ainslie & Thompson motioned to ban wind power.  Executive Committee asked the Toronto Environment Office to report back after TO Hydro has completed its wind study in Scarborough on how the City can promote and nurture green energy projects in Toronto (EX43.24).

2008-2009 - TEA's Campaign to ensure the anemometer is installed: success!

TEA asked Torontonians in support of wind power to attend public meetings held by Toronto Hydro to make their voice heard. TEA also provided sample letters and a petition to the Ministry of Natural Resources asking the Minister to give Toronto Hydro the permit to install the anemometer.