Wind turbines at Sandy Hollow?

By BOB BRUTON Barie Examiner February 18 2011

There’s finally some breeze in the sails of a wind turbine study at Barrie’s landfill.

City councillors have given initial approval to spend a maximum of $35,000 to investigate the effects of having a turbine at Sandy Hollow, as part of the solid waste management master plan process.

But Peter Bursztyn of the Barrie Windcatchers says this initiative needs the wind at its back to beat a Dec. 31, 2011 deadline — when the project’s Ontario content increases to 50% from the current 25%.

“Nobody but me and the other greenies (wind turbine supporters) have an appreciation of the sword of Damocles hanging over us,” he said, noting it will be nearly impossible to build a turbine with half of its materials and other related works coming from this province.

The Windcatchers are also considering a German manufacturer, and are unsure how much lead time it would need to ship the turbine here.

“So whether we get the blades spinning by the 31st of December, it’s going to be very, very tight,” Bursztyn said. “But I am not just going to lay down.”

He’s applying for a $170,000 government grant to do studies associated with the wind turbine, from the community energy partnership program, but needs to come up with $17,000 (10% of the grant) and a $5,000 non-refundable fee.

Bursztyn has estimated the 100-metre tall wind turbine would cost $5 million, but isn’t asking for any council funding — although he would welcome any investment by the city or PowerStream.

He wants the wind turbine primarily financed by a citizen’s co-operative, with shares costing $500 to $1,000 each.

But Bursztyn needs city council to make a decision on the wind turbine.

“How am I going to sell shares in something that doesn’t exist now?” he said. “I’m looking for some certainty. Don’t string me along. Let’s get on with the job.”

Bursztyn estimates the power generated by this turbine could supply 350 to 400 houses annually, which he deems trivial — but the turbine could become an important symbol.

He sees it as an advertisement for Barrie, visible from Highway 400, and the city’s environmental initiatives. LED traffic lights, energy recycling at city community centres and the water pollution control centre, and other energy saving initiatives, are just some examples.

Bursztyn says there are few places to build wind turbines in urban areas because a 550-metre setback is required, but there is just enough space in the landfill — located along Ferndale Drive, north of Edgehill Drive.

“If you are going to put it up, it’s the only spot it can go,” he said.

Brian Tamblyn, president and CEO of Georgian College, supports the wind turbine project because of its academic and research benefits to the college. It would provide real time data pertaining to wind speed, direction, temperature and power output that would be fed to the college. The turbine would also be readily accessible as a student outdoor classroom.

The Windcatchers would apply to the community energy partnership program to offset the $35,000 cost of the turbine study, should council give final approval to this motion on Feb. 28.

And people will get a chance to have their say.

“There will be an opportunity for public comment,” said Coun. Lynn Strachan. “We can do it (the study) with the master plan, which will save us money in the long run.”

Sandy Coulter, Barrie’s environmental operations manager, said there will be open houses and workshops to get public input.

Coun. Peter Silveira, who represents the Sandy Hollow area, said his constituents need to know what’s going on.

“I’ve got a lot of e-mails and calls from people near the site and they claim they have never been canvassed,” he said.

But Coun. Bonnie Ainsworth wanted no part of the expense.

“I don’t want to spend $35,000 to find out if people want turbines,” she said.