Municipalities put a price tag on the impact of wind turbines

A wind turbine is seen In this Oct. 27, 2011 photo. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

The municipality of West Grey is making it clear that wind turbines are not welcome in that community.  One company wants to build fourteen turbines near Durham.

West Grey Mayor Kevin Eccles says "We are not a willing host community which means, no we don't want them in West Grey."

Council voted to put in place a $100,000 bond for every turbine that goes up to cover any potential damage it causes.

"For road damage during construction, things like that. We’re protecting ourselves." says Eccles.

It isn’t the only municipality trying to put a price tag on turbines, in the hopes companies will look elsewhere.

More than 75 Ontario municipalities say they don't want wind turbines in their backyard. but local councils don't appear to have the power to stop construction at least not without getting a little creative.

The municipality of Kincardine is planning to do the same. Officials there say the money will go to noise and health studies research.

Ron Coristine, councillor with the Municipality of Kincardine, says "We don’t have any recourse to stop them legally, at this point in time, so we’re going to do everything we can to be safe, to ensure safety for people."

In Bluewater, the council there wants $400,000 per turbine.

Those in support of wind say this short sighted war over wind may not be worth it and could cost rural Ontario a valuable opportunity.

Connor Miltenburg says "Wind turbines bring new jobs and a diversity of jobs into the area, right now it’s a small farming community and either you’re a farmer, you’re a mechanic, carpenter or electrician."

Wind companies, for their part, say they'll fight the fees proposed in West Grey and Bluewater in court if they have to.

Story filed by Scott Miller, CTV London