Wind Farm Approval Revoked Due To Human Safety Concerns

On August 16, 2017 the Environmental Review Tribunal (the "Tribunal") released its decision in Wiggins v Ontario (Environment and Climate Change), involving a challenge to the grant of a wind turbine farm approval.¹ Seven parties, including the Town of Collingwood, the Region of Simcoe² and the Township of Clearview appealed the approval on the basis that the turbines were too close to the Collingwood Regional Airport ("CRA") and the Clearview aerodrome, and would cause loss of life.

The Tribunal revoked wpd Fairview Wind Incorporated's ("wpd") approval. In October 2016, the Tribunal had found that the renewable energy project will cause serious harm to human health arising from the proximity of proposed wind turbines to CRA and the Clearview aerodrome. In the recent decision, wpd was provided the opportunity to show measures to mitigate to this potential harm. Tribunal held that wpd failed to do so.