Posts tagged ‘Rideau Lakes Solar Farms’

Rideau Lakes Mayor Points Out Local Government at a Disadvantage with Solar Farms

In Rideau Lakes News   On July 11th, 2010   Add A Comment

While thousands of homes are sure to benefit from the clean and green energy coming from the solar farms currently being built in the region, benefits for the affected municipalities look to be on the low side.

According to Mayor Ron Holman of Rideau Lakes, close to $400 million will be used for the seven solar projects in his municipality. This also includes the two huge solar farm facilities being constructed along Bay Road—both expected to cost at least $120 million.

While Holman wants local residents to benefit from the solar farms, he’s not so pleased with the tax payments the Township of Rideau Lakes will receive from the companies behind the projects.

He commented that he’s a supporter of the use of green and renewable energy, but is troubled with the project’s assessment from a municipal perspective. He made it clear that the assessment would not only affect the local government, but also all of the township’s residents.

A number of other mayors who have solar farm projects in their municipalities have also voiced similar concerns.

The matter is currently on its way to being discussed with the provincial government.

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Rideau Lakes Potential Site for Solar Farm

In Rideau Lakes News   On February 25th, 2010   Add A Comment

Mayors from the Leeds and Grenville Counties are worried that the costs of building solar farms in the region outweigh the tax revenue it will generate for the community. At present, a new solar farm to be built in the Rideau Lakes Township is in the planning stages, but Mayor Ron Holman is worried that the construction will deteriorate and affect the roads around the site badly. Furthermore, he admits he’s a little apprehensive about the project not being done with the consultation of the involved municipalities.

According to Holman, the use of solar energy will allow the communities involved to reap immense benefits. He’s totally for solar energy, he said. However, having a solar farm built near a residential area for example, will be problematic for the township, he added.

Officials from Ontario recently announced to the public an agreement between South Korean electronics giant Samsung. Apparently, the company will be responsible for construction solar farms across the province, which will generate a total of 2,500 megawatts of clean, renewable energy. Announced by Premier Dalton McGuinty late last month, the deal stipulates that the Samsung group gets to reap 437 million in subsidies over the next 25 years.

Officials from the Rideau Lakes Township are currently debating if a solar farm will really be beneficial to the community.

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