The Otter Creek Farm project, planned for north of Wallaceburg, is on the list of 758 renewable energy contracts set to be cancelled by the newly elected Ontario PC government.
Natasha Demetriades, a media spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, provided a list of the projects identified to wind-down.
“The projects on these lists are Large Renewable Projects that have not achieved their Key Development Milestones, and Feed-In Tariff projects that have not received Notice To Proceed,” Ministry officials stated.
Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton said he was thrilled with the news.
“Promise made. Promise kept,” McNaughton said on social media.
“Otter Creek Wind Farm will not proceed. I’m proud to have stood with our community to stop this project. Our government is keeping our word – and lowering hydro bills.”
McNaughton said the community of Wallaceburg worked hard to help make this happen.
“Hundreds of people in the community of Wallaceburg worked to stop the Otter Creek wind project,” McNaughton tweeted.
“I am making dozens of calls tonight to inform them that our (Ontario PC) government kept our word. Otter Creek wind project is done. Big step in lowering hydro bills for the people.”
Denise Shephard, a member of the Wallaceburg Area Wind Concerns group, was elated with the news as well.
“Speechless, crying tears of pure joy, praising the Lord – Otter Creek Project is on the list,” Shephard said on social media.
Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, made the announcement on Friday.
“We clearly promised we would cancel these unnecessary and wasteful energy projects as part of our plan to cut hydro rates by 12 per cent for families, farmers and small businesses,” Rickford said in a media release.
“In the past few weeks, we have taken significant steps toward keeping that promise.”
Government officials say all of the cancelled projects have not reached project development milestones.
Terminating the projects at this early stage will maximize benefits for ratepayers.
Rickford also confirmed that the government intends to introduce a legislative amendment that, if passed, will protect hydro consumers from any costs incurred from the cancellation.
Even after all costs are accounted for, ratepayers can expect to benefit from $790 million in savings from this one decision, government officials say.
“For 15 years, Ontario families and businesses have been forced to pay inflated hydro prices, so the government could spend on unnecessary and expensive energy schemes,” said Rickford. “Those days are over.”
The full list of the cancelled projects can be seen, here.
The Sydenham Current has reached out to officials with the Otter Creek Wind Farm project, but have yet to hear back.
