Blake Ellis/The Independent

“I will fight to the (last) day I have, to stop you from coming into Brooke Township and ruining our community,” said Councillor Frank Nemcek.

Nemcek told this to Peter Budd of Venfor Strathroy Corporation after hearing of the company’s proposal to put wind turbines within Brooke-Alvinston.

Mayor David Ferguson felt that Nemcek’s use of the word ruin was too strong , saying that this was a business proposition and in the end Brooke-Alvinston council will make a decision on whether the project will go forward.

Budd clarified to council nine landowners – with potentially 17 wind turbines – signed land leases with Venfor. The Independent reported last week there were 17 landowners.

Nemcek wasn’t impressed when Venfor came before council the first time, but he came to the May 29 meeting with an open mind. “Now I am even less impressed,” said Nemcek.

“For nine landowners to get these wind turbines, we are not going to sell Brooke Township down the toilet for $300-$400,000 a year,” said Nemcek

Budd explained Venfor puts the project together, then a large utility company is brought in to manage the project once it has been built. He described that partner as “a billion dollar balance sheet company.”
The company will be identified in one or two months, said Budd.

Ferguson hoped that company would be Canadian.

Councillor Don McCabe asked why an agricultural assessment is not going to be completed earlier in the process.

An agricultural assessment is required by the provincial government, but that, at this point, the guidelines have not been fully determined.

Venfor says an agricultural assessment is not to be completed until 18 month into the permit process.
The project won’t be proceeding if the agricultural assessment is not successful, said Budd.

McCabe said agreeing to this project without the results of an agricultural assessment is a “blind trust” adding he didn’t want to see this project affecting Brooke-Alvinston’s tax base.

Brooke-Alvinston is expected to be paid $300,000 a year as part of a community agreement.
The first payment is not likely to be received for four to five years.

“I know you won’t trust my words,” said Budd. If the community agreement is not paid, the road access will be terminated said Budd, saying the township is protected.

Budd hopes to submit the project to the Independent Energy Systems Operator in October. He’ll need a letter of support from Brooke-Alvinston first if the Venfor bid is to move ahead. It’s not clear when council will discuss that letter of support.

If Venfor does win Brooke-Alvinston’s approval, it will take a year before the IESO makes a decision. If successful, the power would not start to flow until 2029, and with it the cash that comes with it .