Comment ID: 210793 Otter…

Comment ID: 210793

Otter Creek – Retract decision to deem this application “complete” for the Renewable Energy Approval process. The proponent is unable to provide noise emission data for the turbine equipment proposed. The noise report submitted with the application for a REA is not grounded in fact but rather is estimates based estimates. Otter Creek's Noise Impact Assessment report, dated May 2017, includes Enercon's latest version of their Specification Report for the 4.2 MW turbine selected for this project. Enercon's document, if read closely, indicates that the noise emission specification is calculated, not measured in the field with an operational turbine as required by the MOECC for all wind projects. This lack of actual hard data is not surprising since the first prototype of this turbine was commissioned in December 2016, and testing apparently is not yet completed. Also, a full MOECC investigation of the impact on well water is required. The Otter Creek Wind Farm project should be suspended until the root cause of the water well problems of North Kent 1 Wind Farm, Marsh Creek Wind Farm and East Lake St. Clair Wind Farm can be determined and resolved. If it turns out to be the wind turbines are causing the problem, then come up with a solution that will not impact our aquifer that we can all agree on and support. If a solution cannot be found, then do not allow the project to proceed Setbacks--Increase setbacks from residences and surrounding land parcels to reflect learning from MOECC complaint records that include staff reports that confirm that current regulations are not sufficient to protect health of residents living in wind projects. Last week, the Supreme Court set out standards for consultations with communities which are substantially more rigorous that the standards used for Ontario Renewable Energy Projects. Shadow flicker--The flickering shadows produced when a turbine is positioned between the rising or setting sun is a major irritant for residents. It is not considered in the REA approvals and is easy to address by turning off the turbine for the times when it is casting moving shadows on a house.  In some projects, these changes have been implemented by the wind company but in other MOECC staff is telling residents no action is required, even though the REA requires the wind company to address complaints like these.