A wind turbine near Marsh Line in Chatham-Kent. (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)A wind turbine near Marsh Line in Chatham-Kent. (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
Chatham

MPP Seeks Suspension Of Local Wind Projects

Lambton-Kent-Middlesex's MPP wants a couple local wind farm projects put on hold.

This after the province suspended the second round of their large renewable energy approvals, lumped together as the "Large Renewable Energy Procurement" program. Ontario officials claim the move will save up to $3.8-billion in projected electricity costs.

PC Monte McNaughton, however, wants them to take it a step further.

McNaughton has sent a letter to Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault. The MPP believes other projects that are already in the works, like Chatham-Kent's Otter Creek and North Kent wind projects, should also be suspended.

"We know the government was paying nearly $4-billion for 1,000 MW of power," says McNaughton. "We simply did the math, and [suspending] those two projects, at a minimum, will save rate-payers $570-million."

McNaughton is clear to mention he only wants other projects that haven't begun construction. He adds discontinuing the programs will help address the "energy poverty" facing residents.

"I want these projects in Chatham-Kent stopped, and I want every other wind project in the province stopped," says McNaughton. "If the government is serious about getting hydro bills under control, they would look at all these projects and find a way to get out of them."

RELATED: Green Energy Suspension Called Disingenuous

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