Join Jutta Splettoesseur at the Port Albert Inn, in Port Albert, Ontario (located just north of Goderich, Ontario) on November 3, 2011 from 7-9 pm for a presentation and discussion on the importance of grassroots support for wind energy.
This Friends of Wind Ontario gathering seeks to provide accurate information about wind energy and encourage dialogue among wind energy supporters.
By Michael Tingle, Director, Corporate Business Development, ORTECH Power
Ontario Energy Minister Brad Duguid poses with Kincardine farmer Jutta Splettstoesser. Photo: Kincardine Times.
Renewable Energy is currently under a high degree of scrutiny in Ontario and it is a key election issue. The winner of the Provincial election is not yet clear and it will definitely be a seesaw battle until the very end. ORTECH has noticed a number grassroots websites popping up in support of various renewable energy industries. These grass root organizations are challenged to be heard and gain support in today’s society of information overload. ORTECH interviewed one of the organizers of “Friends of Wind Ontario” to better understand the challenges and triumphs of running a renewable energy support group.
Jutta Splettstoesser of Friends of Wind Ontario was asked about the challenges. “Friends of Wind Ontario” is a grassroots, volunteer group supporting wind power generation in Ontario. The first thing that struck me about Jutta was her “Calm Passion”. She is a mother of four, runs a farm and an immigrant to Canada. Although, she lacks resources and formal training, Jutta has become one of the most effective pro-wind advocates in Ontario. Here are some of the comments she made about the challenges she has faced.
How did you get involved?
“I am from Germany originally and a lot what is going on in Ontario has been happening in Germany for 20 years. I was at a local council meeting and noticed that the councilors were leaning towards an anti-wind position. I did not know that much about the topic so I educated myself on the various aspects of wind turbine farms. I thought the councillors were misinformed and needed to be more educated on the issue. I discussed a petition with other farmers in the area and we drafted a document with language around collaboration and opening dialogue with all participants. After that it just snowballed from there. Any grassroots organization needs just one person with the strength and courage to speak out. I ended up being that person!”
Why are you doing this?
“I feel it’s my responsibility to do this for my community, in Germany it’s common for people to speak out and defend their democratic rights. It’s scary but just feels natural to me.”
What were your biggest challenges?
“People need to fight for their democracy but I fear they are scared to speak out because of the potential negative responses they get in return. The Anti-wind groups are very intimidating, well organized and well-financed. Other challenges: Getting people to sign the petition, finding the time and money to commit to this, learning to be interviewed by the press. I had no training, no resources and very little money, most people would just walk away, it is very daunting.”
What else needs to be done?
“I think Ontario communities need to be more educated on the positive aspects of wind energy and renewables in general. I would like the developers to take this on. When done right, it only helps the developer and builds community support.”
“When Friends of Wind Ontario had their first event in Clinton and were able to speak about the benefits of wind energy in a peaceful manner. The energy in the room was so positive. People were inspired and hopeful that we live in a free society and our opinions will be heard.”
To contact Jutta directly via email:
Jutta.Splettstoesser@gmail.com. If you are a supporter of sustainable renewable energy, here are some other grass root resources to consider. Check them out.
Friends of Wind ( http://www.friendsofwind.ca )
The Friends of Wind website, supported by wind energy industry leaders, gives interested individuals the chance to “join the conversation” about our energy future. It offers a variety of tools Friends of Wind can use to show their support for wind energy and the government programs that provide a positive climate for growth in the sector.
Follow on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/CANWindEnergy Like them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Wind/153027334755197 Email: info@friendsofwind.ca
From the CBC News website:
Rupp Carriveau spends his days trying to find ways to harness the power of the wind.
A researcher specializing in wind energy and engineering at the University of Windsor, Carriveau believes the McGuinty Liberal government’s decision to offer lucrative incentives to renewable energy proponents wishing to connect to the power grid is the right thing to do for the environment.
To read the full website on the CBC News website, click here.
You are invited to come learn more about the economic, social and environmental benefits that wind energy development offers to you and your community.
Please join Friends of Wind Ontario (FWO) and Thames Region Ecological Association (TREA) on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at London’s Wolf Performance Hall and hear from a lineup of five speakers who each bring a unique perspective to the discussion.
Jutta Splettoesser, a Kincardine-area farmer who grew up amongst the wind projects in Germany, brings her popular message to the event. In her talk, Open Minded Toward Wind Energy, the now-president of FWO will speak about the roadblocks, support and attitudes she has encountered in her endeavour to counter the misinformation about wind power that stops communities from working together towards a renewable future. Residing in the heart of Ontario wind country and near one of Ontario’s largest nuclear power plants, Jutta has stepped into the fray of debate, presenting the other side of the story to municipal councils, media and the public.
Gideon Forman, executive director of Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), will explain Why Doctors Support Wind Power. CAPE is sending a message to Ontario opposition leader Tim Hudak to advocate closing dirty coal plants now, rather than waiting until 2014, as he claims he will do if elected in this fall’s provincial election. More than 5,000 doctors and concerned citizens across Canada are members of CAPE.
Paul Seccaspina, CEO, Oraclepoll Research Limited, asserts the support for green energy in his presentation Ontario Looking for a Green, Prosperous Future. Oraclepoll released the results of a survey last month that indicated more than seven in 10 Ontarians support green energy initiatives. The survey, commissioned Ontario Sustainable Energy Association found 84 per cent of those polled between ages 18-34 were in favour of the Province’s green energy undertakings. Even in Southwest Ontario, where 23 per cent of those polled indicated that they disagreed with current green energy initiatives, almost three quarters of respondents indicated that they agreed with the same initiatives.
Horia Hangan, director of UWO Wind Tunnel & Project Lead, WindEEE, will inform the audience of the Impact of the WindEEE Institute at UWO for the Southwestern Ontario Region. According to the university’s website, the Wind Engineering, Energy and Environment (WindEEE) Dome, the world’s first hexagonal wind tunnel, represents a technological breakthrough in the study of wind-related phenomena as it has the capability of physically simulating high intensity wind systems – including tornados, downbursts, gust fronts or low-level nocturnal currents – that cannot be created in any of the existing wind tunnels.
Vinay Sharma, CEO, London Hydro Inc., speaks to the Potential of Renewable Energy in London. London Hydro, whose sole shareholder is the City of London, delivers electricity to its diverse customer base through an extensive network of overhead and underground power lines of more than 1,900 kilometres in length.
The evening’s venue, Wolf Performance Hall, is located at Central Library London, 251 Dundas St., London.
For more information: friendsofwind.ca or contact TREA at 519-645-2845.
Friends of Wind Ontario present facts and alternatives about energy generation at the Kincardine Library on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Free Movies: Sustainability in Action & Gospel of Green, which focuses on Hermann Scheer, who is called Europe’s Al Gore.
For info call 519 395 5309 or e-mail: rjsplett@hurontel.on.ca
If a new industry emerged in Ontario that would create more than 150,000 person-years of employment, inject economic growth back into struggling communities, and attract roughly $30 billion of private sector investment — while costing the average household no more than a coffee and a muffin each month — it would be a good news story.
Now imagine we could take advantage of this new opportunity without creating the usual side effects of industrial development, such as long-term environmental degradation or toxic air pollution — you might expect that policy-makers, corporate leaders and communities would be lining up in support. . .
To read the full story reported in The Toronto Star on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011, click here.
Jutta Splettstoesser and other members of Friends of Wind Ontario are becoming experts at hosting meetings to share facts and first-hand experiences related to wind energy.
The Kincardine-area farmer launched the second in a series of meetings last week, inviting folks to join her and a slate of guest speakers at the Chatham Banquet and Conference Centre. The two-hour event was aimed at providing information to those who want to hear the pro-wind message after hearing so much negativity around wind energy development.
Jutta said the feedback from attendees was positive, including that from a teacher who summers in Mitchell’s Bay. He said he is now a believer in the efforts to progressively improve our electricity needs for tomorrow.
The Chatham Daily News and other newspapers in the Sun Media chain reported that Ridgetown-area farmer Rudy Zubler is “living with the monster,” but they meant it in the nicest of ways.
It appears that’s how Zubler affectionately refers to the wind turbine on his dairy farm outside Ridgetown.
To read more, please visit the Chatham Daily News’ website, by clicking here.
Watch this site for more information on the upcoming meeting in London, Ont.
Come join Friends of Wind Ontario for an informative evening with an impressive lineup of guest speakers in Chatham this month.
This event takes place Thursday, Aug. 18, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Chatham Banquet & Conference Centre (former CAW Hall), 280 Merritt Ave.
Jutta Splettoesser, a Kincardine-area farmer who grew up amongst the wind projects in Germany, brings her popular message to the event. In her talk, Open Minded Toward Wind Energy, she will speak about the roadblocks, support and attitudes she has encountered in her endeavour to counter the misinformation about wind power that stops communities from working together towards a renewable future. Residing in the heart of Ontario wind country and near one of Ontario’s largest nuclear power plants, Jutta has strode into the fray of debate, presenting the other side of the story to municipal councils, media and the public.
Dr. W. David Colby, MSC, MD, FRCPC, Acting Medical Officer of Health, Chatham-Kent, will present on the topic of Wind Turbines and Health. Dr. Colby was part of a panel that released Wind Turbine Sound and Health Effects: An Expert Panel Review 2009, which concluded there are no ill health effects caused by wind turbines. He is routinely called upon by government and other sources for his expertise. His ability to talk about such things as sound, infrasound, dBAs and wind turbine syndrome in terms that we can all easily understand make him a much sought after guest speaker.
Rudy Zubler, a dairy farmer from Ridgetown, will talk about A Tale of Two Perspectives. He will discuss the benefits of located wind energy projects in the rural communities.
And John Kourtoff, President and CEO, Trillium Power Wind Corporation, will speak to Ontario Energy: What are the Options? What are the Costs? What is the Public Not Being Told?
There will also be draws for guided climbs of a wind turbine. Those with open minds and questions are encouraged to attend. The organizers ask all to be respectful and polite in the expression of their opinions.
Friends of Wind Ontario provides the facts about wind energy to assist Ontario communities to engage in renewable energy development for their social, environmental and economic benefit.
First Ontario wind turbine. Located beside the Bruce Power Visitors'Centre, Tiverton, ON. Operating since 1994
Speaking on Pricing Ontario Electricity’s Options will be Dr. Tim Weis, P. Eng. Ph.D., Director of Renewable Energy & Efficiency policy for the Pembina Institute. He specializes in clean energy policy design, research and strategic decision making. He worked as a renewable energy consultant examining wind energy challenges in Northern communities and has assisted over 20 communities at various stages of development of renewable energy projects. Dr. Tim Weis and colleagues have just released a report – Behind the Switch: Pricing Ontario Electricity Options. The report results and implications for the future of Ontario’s electrical system will be discussed.
Dianne Saxe, Ph.D. Law, DSA will be presenting on the topic Wind for my Community. Dianne is the president of Windshare in Toronto, and one of the world’s top 25 environmental lawyers. She was named Toronto’s Environmental Lawyer of the Year for 2011. Dianne knows the value and potential of renewable energy projects. She is the president and member of Windshare, the pioneering “for profit” coop whose mandate is to provide renewable electricity to the people of Ontario through community ownership. Windshare recognizes the potential available to communities and Ontario non-profits to build sustainable futures for themselves and the future through the Green Energy Act. The Green Energy Act has provisions that few communities have recognized. This is a perfect opportunity to hear Dianne speak about this largely unexplored avenue of community sustainability.
Jutta Splettoesser, a Kincardine-area farmer who grew up amongst the wind projects in Germany, has taken on the momentous task of getting local people in Ontario’s wind belt to work together for a renewable and sustainable future. In her talk, Open Minded Toward Wind Energy, she will speak about the roadblocks, support and attitudes she has encountered in her endeavour to counter the misinformation about wind power that stops communities from working together towards a renewable future. Located in the heart of Ontario wind country and near one of Ontario’s largest nuclear power plants, Jutta has first hand experience presenting the other side of the story to municipal councils and the public. Her treatment at their hands and by the opponents in the area has been surprising.
This evening promises to be educational and thought-provoking. Seating at the Clinton Legion (95 Kirk St., Clinton, ON) is limited, so plan to arrive early. There will also be draws for guided climbs of a wind turbine. Those with open-minds and questions are encouraged to attend. The organizers ask all to be respectful and polite in the expression of their opinions.
by Jodi Jerome
photo by Carl Malamud
by Jodi Jerome
Wind developers are often accused of not consulting with the community. It has also been a comment that has dogged every accommodation review done by area school boards. The trouble lies not with the consultation process but with the public’s interpretation of consultation.
A public consultation in the matter of wind turbines, school closures or new regulations does not seek permission. At no point is the public being asked – can we build a wind turbine? can we close down a school? can we pass this regulation? That decision is left to the professional staff the public and the government put in place to make the decision – the Ontario Energy Board, the School Board, the Ministry. What the public is being asked is how can we put this action in place in your community? What do we need to know from you that will make this a smoother transition? What local landmarks, customs, beliefs do we need to honour?
It is this gap in understanding that causes so much conflict, bad feelings and eventual disengagement with the politics. People get angry that they have not gotten their way, though they have fought for three years against a wind turbine project, or fought for a year against a school closure. They suspect the institutions of having a secret agenda. There is no secret, there is misunderstanding. Whether or not the turbine project was allowed or the school closed was not the issue. The issue, from the beginning, has been how to implement the action, not if the action will be implemented.
Public consultation is a requirement of the Renewable Energy Approval process but it is not required until after the feed-in application has been approved and a contract awarded. Good development talks to the public from the beginning, shares information and tries to answer questions from the community. Once a contract is awarded the company begins to work on the Renewable Energy Approval. At this point the public are asked for their input. Their input is not their permission to go ahead but a request for their knowledge, assistance (i.e. permission for biologists to cross properties to do bird and bat studies) and their comments about all aspects of the project and how it can be better integrated into the community with minimal impact. It is at this point that they are encouraged to ask questions, bring forward information and work with the developer to ensure the project meets local and provincial regulatory, engineering, environmental and cultural requirements. But at no point does public consultation equal permission.
If all people are doing is shouting “go away,” they are losing an opportunity to talk about how a project can be implemented and spending precious time and money on a battle that has already been decided.
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