An anti-wind turbine protest brought traffic on Highway 402 to a screeching halt Saturday.
About 200 cars, trucks and tractors crawled along a stretch of road near London, in what may be the largest demonstration against wind turbines in this province so far.
The drivers, many of whom live in rural Ontario, said they believe the Liberal government is ignoring their concerns about wind projects.
Some protestors said turbines reduce property values, while others voiced concerns about their impact on human health.
Still others said turbines have a negative impact on wildlife.
For Lonny Napper, mayor of Pympton-Wyoming, the goal of Saturday’s protest was to attract the attention of people living in urban centres, far away from wind developments.
“I think it’s going to bring awareness to all the folks that live in the city,” he said. “A lot of them are really realizing what’s happening in rural Ontario, and we’re just making a point out here today.”
In an email to CTV News, Minister of Energy Bob Chiarelli’s office wrote: “Our government understands concerns that have been raised under the now-former process to approve wind turbines. That is why we have made significant changes to increase local control over the siting of renewable energy projects to ensure that future projects will be built in the right place at the right time."
Meanwhile, the Progressive Conservative's energy critic said if her party were in power, they would place a moratorium on wind projects.
“We would stop building these wind turbine developments,” said Lisa McLeod. ”We would restore local decision making so local councils can decide whether or not they want them right now.”
The vehicle rally was peaceful, and had an OPP escort.
