Liberal MPP asks Queen's Park colleagues to stop Horizon Wind project

Bill Mauro has asked the province to deny Horizon Wind Inc.’s application to build a turbine farm on the Nor’Wester Mountain range.

Mauro, the recently re-elected Liberal MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan, sent a letter to Environment Minister Jim Bradley and Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle asking them to not give the Toronto-based company a permit to erect the turbines.

“I have been advised that the company has again submitted an application to the ministry of the environment. It is my hope that we will move quickly to deny this application and advise the applicant of our decision.

“This decision would be consistent with the information offered to the company in February 2011 and supported by the minister’s letter in August of this year,” Mauro said in a letter obtained on Monday by TB Newswatch.

Mauro added the project has been a source of significant concern in his riding for several years and requested a timely response.
His request comes on the heels of news Horizon has re-submitted an renewable energy application to the province.

Earlier this year then environment minister Linda Jeffrey composed a letter indicating stating she was unlikely to approve the project based on concerns with the Endangered Species Act. Opponents have expressed concerns about the native peregrine falcon population in the area.