The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) recently welcomed news that the most of Ontario’s agricultural regions have enjoyed a significant increase in prices for farm land over 2010 prices. The RE/MAX Market Trends Report – Farm Edition 2011 released Sept. 12 found rising agricultural commodity values and tight inventory levels have contributed to a significant upswing in the price of Ontario farmland in 2011.
“It is promising to hear that the value of agricultural property has increased in most regions of Ontario, especially in areas like Chatham-Kent and Windsor-Essex where wind energy has also enjoyed significant growth over the past few years,” said Chris Forrest, vice-president of communications with CanWEA. “This would seem to run contrary to claims made by opponents that wind energy has decreased property values. Chatham-Kent, for example, has enjoyed a significant increase in farm land value in 2011 while also seeing several new wind farms come online.”
The report also states: “A growing number of farmers are entering into contracts to host wind or solar power projects, while others opt to permit the extraction of gas and natural resources, as seen in markets like Chatham-Kent and Windsor and Essex County. These arrangements have provided an alternate source of income and underscored the budding possibilities that exist for land owners.”
“We need new sources of energy in Ontario. Wind is a smart choice because it is clean and provides economic benefits to landowners and the local community,” said Chatham-Kent farmer Reinout Von Martels in a testimonial for wind energy.
Ontario is Canada’s wind energy leader with 1,656 MW in place. A landmark study ‘The Economic Impacts of the Wind Energy Sector in Ontario 2011 – 2018’ by ClearSky Advisors demonstrates that meeting the wind energy targets identified under the province’s Long-Term Energy Plan (LTEP) would result in more than $1.1 billion in revenues to local municipalities and landowners in the form of taxes and lease payments over the 20-year lifespan of the projects.
“I support wind energy because farmers have always looked for ways to use their land productively. Wind energy has a growing role to play in Ontario, and I’m proud to be part of that change,” said Bruce Ribey, a Bruce County farmer, in a testimonial for wind energy.
CanWEA is the voice of the wind energy industry, actively promoting the responsible and sustainable growth of wind energy throughout Canada on behalf of its more than 420 members. A national non-profit association, CanWEA serves as Canada’s leading source of credible information about wind energy and its social, economic and environmental benefits. The document Wind Vision 2025 – Powering Canada’s Future, is available at www.canwea.ca .
CanWEA
www.canwea.ca
Filed Under: News, Projects
Last time I checked, Ontario was a bit North of Illinois? Also due to the American economy I’m not surprised so see (once again) home values on the decline, Wind turbines in the area or not.
Just saying…GO Wind
As a mechanical engineer, one would hope that Mr. Dvorak would do a little checking himself as to the report vs. the claim. It is false that turbine neighbors report reduced farm land value. It is their homes that become unmarketable and/or sell for large discounts..25% to 40%, and more than a few examples of developer buyouts, gag-orders and tear downs (or resale at 40-80% losses) CANWEA should refrain from deceptive PR announcements, if it wishes to be a credible source of information rather than a wind energy proponent at any cost to the public.
But farm sites with turbine leases probably have gone up in value, due to the income expectancy from pad site rentals. On balance, farm sites that are in the footprint, but owned by people who chose not to participate in projects, have seen a decline in value of 15%, within 3 miles of any turbine. Facts from DeKalb County Illinois, since FPL built it’s 1/4 county project. Incidentally, that same project has also re-proven home value diminution, as even with a value guarantee required by the County of FPL, one home in the project area has actually sold for 30% less than the value basis provided for in the DeKalb PVG.
Mr. McCann:
Can you say with certainty that the reduced home values are from the wind farms and not the lousy economy? Even my home has lost value and there is no wind farm in sight.
Paul