Wind supporter takes shot at wind fighters

Wind supporter takes shot at wind fighters

The Kincardine News

Dear Editor,

Our family attended several council meetings in the past because we truly care about our community and the many issues that determine our future.

My children do not really like to come because of the hostile behaviour from some citizens and propaganda language being used when it comes to wind energy.

They know that the term "industrial" as an adjective for wind turbines is the result of a series of focus groups financed by one of the Koch brothers as part of his opposition to a proposed offshore wind project near Cape Cod.

At times we too feel misrepresented by our council and citizen representative but that is part of the process in real life.

To attack a fellow citizen in public is just another step to divide our community.

Please pick up the phone or even better go to the person that you feel has done something wrong and speak directly to him or her in a civil and rational manner. I know from experience that it can resolve many misunderstandings and lead to a better society.

There were times when I felt as though the radio might be the safest way for me to express my views about renewable energy. Many friends of wind in Ontario are thinking that the greatest health hazard related to wind energy is speaking out in support for wind energy!

ReNew Canada published a comprehensive report on wind energy in Ontario last year. Its conclusion states " Wind Concerns Ontario could not adequately provide evidence to support its claims." It has used material out of context, provided facts without support, and has firmly put the burden of proof on the proponents of wind rather than having to prove its own statements."

Look at the big picture of energy options that we are being offered right now, join hands, compromise and start developing a plan together!

Jutta Splettstoesser

Kincardine

From coal to renewable energy

This is a guest post from Jutta Splettstoesser:

I still remember the days when the truck dumped a big load of coal on the

pavement in front of my parents house and the whole family worked together to

shovel it into the basement. When we were finished we had the fine black dust

everywhere and needed a long bath. Nobody on the street where I grew up heats

with coal anymore - those days are over. I'm sure that when you ask my dad, he

will tell you that he now enjoys the comfort of his gas furnace. He has a big shop

where the coal used to be stored and the air is much better in the winter.

Every time I go back to Germany I see a lot of change even in just a short timeframe

of 2 or 4 years. Coming from the airport in Duesseldorf I saw in 2009 a lot

of solar panels installed on residential houses. I admired the large 100kw solar

installation across the road on the dairy farmers new hay and straw storage. 65%

of all the investment from German farmers go into renewable energy. The

renewable energy project have guarantied grid access and are prioritized. This

month my brother in law will install 38 panels on his house in Georgetown. When

we got together for Christmas he thanked me for sharing all my knowledge with

him about the Micro-FIT program and that I pushed him to apply for it. Tom

pointed out that Canadian citizens aren't informed enough about the existing

opportunities. How everybody can make a real difference to help to “turn that

corner” on greenhouse gases, toxic waste and other forms of pollution and be

part of the energy revolution is very positive and powerful. Compared to other

sources, wind-energy is an environmental winner. Wind energy is emission-free,

consumes no water, produces no waste, has no hidden health cost and is 100%

renewable.

As a teenager the odd wind turbine went up in our region but the first larger wind

parks were erected in Northern Germany. My dad keeps me updated on any

new development. He is and always was open-minded toward new technology

and energy options. For him things have to make economic sense and in the case

of renewables it does. More Germans are employed in the renewable sector than

in the auto industry. Dr. Hermann Scheer understood very early that by investing

into renewable energy we help the environment and the whole economy at no

extra cost. Since the German government decided on a new energy strategy

there will be more wind turbines built all over the country. My parents are very

ordinary citizens with a lot of common sense that are welcoming the wind turbines

into their backyard. They know of the study from the University of Kassel that

combined solar, bio gas and wind-energy and proved that it is possible to go

100% with renewable energy in the future.

“Any energy-planning conversations must begin with a commitment to robust

engagement and education, so that all those involved are well equipped to do

so, and so that the final products can be presented to-and ultimately supported

by-an informed Canadian public."  (1)

When I read the CFFO (Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario) commentary this 

week I asked myself when will people stop repeating widely discredited oil 

industry backed reports attacking the value of “Green jobs”?

Who is taking the time and continues the educational process that Friends of

Wind Ontario started in 2011?

When do the Canadian farm organizations start a partnership and dialog with the

farmers who have the experience, knowledge and confidence in developing citizen

owned wind parks?

1. “Built To Last: A Successful Energy-Strategy Design Process” Marlo Raynolds, Senior Advisor, Pembina Institute and Advisor to Tides Canada Energy Initiative March 14, 2011 page 4

Jutta interviewed at Fergus public meeting

Wellington Advertiser
November 11, 2011
David Meyer

Not everyone at the open house was in opposition to the wind turbines.

Jutta Splettstoesser attended the rally and met with people to speak in favour of a civil discourse on the entire issue.

Splettstoesser, from the Kincardine area, visited the offices of The Wellington Advertiser prior to the open house. She is the president of Friends of Wind Ontario, a group she founded after seeing what she called “one sided” talks on wind turbines.

She and five members of the group talk about “social benefits” of turbines, and the group has held a few meetings around Ontario.

“I do not work for anybody,” she said, adding she is a farmer with four children. She does not have turbines on her property, but is working to place solar generators there when Hydro One can accept the power.

“My friends call me the face of wind,” she said. “We need more faces.”

Splettstoesser said people who speak in favour of wind turbines “are getting bullied, attacked in public, and getting legal threats.”

She cited a doctor in Chatham who was threatened, and said, “Anywhere people spoke, they got attacked. I’ve been attacked on the radio. I’ve been called a liar ... my family gets slandered.”

She said such attacks keep people from asking questions or speaking their mind on the issue. “The average person doesn’t want confrontation. How can they? I find developers have been blamed for their positive actions.”

Splettstoesser said the issue of turbines is far from over, but “People need information to make decisions - but it has to be based on facts.”

She feels facts have been distorted when it comes to wind turbines. She talked recently with a man from a small community in Germany who told her his community is in the shadow of turbines it owns jointly, and there are no problems.

The community lives within 300 metres of the turbines and “everybody is healthy and happy. So are the animals.”

When asked about noise, she said, “I have heard the turbines, too. The crickets were louder.”

For the full article, click here

Jutta Splettstoesser wins "Friend of Wind" award from CanWEA

Wind energy award winners announced at CanWEA’s 27th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Vancouver, BC 

Vancouver, October 6, 2011 – Canada's largest renewable energy event wraps up today in Vancouver, BC, following last night's announcement of annual wind energy industry awards. At its gala Awards Banquet, the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) recognized organizations and individuals who have worked tirelessly to advance the Canadian wind energy industry towards a record year of growth in 2011. Awards were presented in four categories: Individual Leadership, Group Leadership, the R.J. Templin Award and the Friend of Wind award. A new award for 2012 was also announced.

Individual Leadership Award - First awarded in 2003, to the individual who has, through their own efforts, significantly advanced the wind energy industry in Canada. Award winner: Richard Legault (President of Windev Corporation) for his dedication to the industry through his unsurpassed experience in assessing the certainty of energy yields from wind for projects in the Canadian context.

Group Leadership Award - First awarded in 2001, this award recognizes the government, corporation or non-profit organization that has contributed significantly to the advancement of wind energy in Canada. Award winner: Peace Energy Cooperative and its Directors for their ability to recognize the tremendous opportunities that exist for British Columbians in renewable energy sources.

R.J. Templin Award - First awarded in 1985, in recognition of any individual or organization who has undertaken scientific, technical, engineering or policy work that has significantly advanced the wind energy industry in Canada. Award winner: Wind Energy Institute of Canada (WEICAN), for advances made in the development of wind energy across Canada through research, testing, training, and collaboration - recipient Mr. Scott Harper.

Friend of Wind Award – Awarded in recognition of outstanding contributions made by individuals or groups in advancing awareness of the benefits of wind energy at the community level. Award winner: Jutta Splettstoesser, Kincardine farmer, mother, and tireless supporter of wind energy in Ontario communities through Friends of Wind Ontario.

"We proudly recognize this year's outstanding award winners for their contributions of time and knowledge in helping to advance the wind energy industry in Canada," said CanWEA President Robert Hornung. "Their ongoing efforts and achievements have steadily advanced Canada's wind energy industry towards its goal of providing 20 per cent of the country's electricity needs by 2025."

A new award has been created for inaugural presentation in 2012. The CanWEA Community Connection Award will be presented annually to a CanWEA member organization or individual member employee who embodies the mandate of responsible development through a commitment to understand the community and by forming meaningful relationships built on mutual respect and trust.