During the election, many of you might recall that I made an overture to work to attract a wind turbine production facility to locate in Guelph. This was not just an election promise. This is something that a group of interested local residents are still pursuing. Please find below a press release that outlines what we have hoped to hear from the provincial government and which for all intents and purposes we did hear today. This makes our efforts seem all the more promising.

A big thanks to Evan Ferrari of Windshare for all of his work and from whom this press release comes. Without him, the wind turbine production facility would not have any chance of developing.

Phil

PS I am still unable to permit direct posts of your comments. I am still receiving 200 spams a day. I know you don’t need to invest in a hot stock tip or other things I am being offered so I won’t bother to post these spams. Still if you do want to comment, please email me directly at phil@philallt.ca and I will post your comment when I get a minute.

For Immediate Release, March 21, 2006

“The Premier’s announcement removes the final barriers that farmers, small businesses and community groups face when trying to build wind power generation in Ontario” said Evan Ferrari, President of the WindShare Cooperative. “The SOC announcement will kick start numerous projects throughout the province.” Said David Robertson, President of Toronto Renewable Energy Co-operative (TREC) Windshare’s sister co-operative.

The SOC announcement today will offer stable power purchase agreements for small and medium sized renewable electricity generators at a predictable price. This new program will provide another tool for community groups to push forward and develop community-based wind or other renewable energy projects up to 10 megawatts.
“We are confident that the SOC Program will help communities to collectively create a ‘decentralized-mega project’”“, said Ferrari. “This means that numerous small facilities across the province can cumulatively create a large amount of power while improving the stability of our electrical system at the same time” he added.

The SOC program will encourage the development of local renewable power projects and partially address Ontario’s projected electricity generation shortfall. Along with energy efficiency programs, renewable power can assist the province in retiring coal fired powered plants and reduce the need for more nuclear plants. Robertson went on to say “Renewable energy is the way to the future for electric power production in Ontario and the SOC Program will become its standard bearer.”

I received notification of the following events and was asked to send these on to those who might be interested. Tomorrow night’s forum is very important. Water policy will help to define Guelph for years to come.

There is some fairly serious talk about a water pipeline for Guelph. Such a costly endeavour will provide a necessary catalyst for expanded growth in Guelph as our current water supply cannot sustain the kinds of growth to which Guelph might be exposed in the future. This kind of mega project is favoured by many in the development industry and in the food processing industry - read this a water bottlers and others who rely upon the Guelph aquifer as a vital component of what it is they produce.

Please note the timeline for public feedback on the water plan.

Where: Holiday Inn-Scottsdale

When: Tomorrow night (March 21).

6 pm-open house

7 pm presentation

8-9:30 pm roundtable discussions

Public feedback on the water plan is being sought until April 4.

Wednesday March 22 is World Water Day, a day for raising awareness about the value of water to our world, and the threats facing it, from the privatization of water resources, to water pollution.

Some of us will be carrying buckets of water around campus all day, to highlight World Water Day. There will also be a display with information outside Raithby House that day, with postcards to sign and send to Prime Minister Harper regarding ensuring access to clean water for all.

Please pass this email on as far as you can!

With thanks,
Barbara

______________________________
Barbara McDowall
Program Facilitator
Multi Faith Resource Team
Raithby House
University of Guelph
519-824-4120, ext. 5890

The following is posted at the request of Scott Gilbert of the University of Guelph Central Students’ Association. This should be of interest to many of you.