In our 4th year since incorporation many successful activities took place again. We have provided our ever increasing number of members with information and expertise. Our quarterly newsletters were well received and our workshops brought out a good number of members and non-members.

Bob Budd, our technical whiz, had to keep repeating his Build-your-Own-Wind Generator-from-Scrap workshop due to the heavy demand. He finally decided to capture the step-by-step instruction on videotape which is now available together with the technical booklet and template. According to the latest reports, quite a number of these beautiful Scottish-design wind machines are already in service.

Our AGM and workshop at the beautiful location of Paradise Lake was the best yet with a great slate of presenters and over 70 people attending.

In August, we had our first ever workshop dealing with small hydro-electric generation at a fitting location the second oldest hydro-electric plant in Ontario, the Scone Mill. October saw us holding a workshop in Port Hope to reach interested people in Eastern Ontario and in November we held a workshop at the Rideau Valley Conservation Centre with it's 4 kW photovoltaic energy system.

To carry our message about conservation and the new clean and safe energy generation available to homeowners, farmers, and small industries on site, we staffed displays at many public forums. Just to name a few, there was the Organic Conference at Guelph University, the Earth Expo at Lion's Head, the Natural Life Festival, the University of Toronto Inauguration Festivities, the Festival of Fields, and the International Plowing Match. We thank all those volunteers who helped at these events!

The Co-ordinator took time out in late May to fly to Amsterdam for the 3-day World Sustainable Energy Fair, covering all expenses out of his own budget. It was a real eye opener to find many nations, mostly European, far ahead of Canada in the application of renewable energy. Many valuable contracts and great information material were the result of this venture.

Other events attended by the coordinator on behalf of CFRE were the Campaign for Nuclear Phaseout meeting in Ottawa (March), the OEN Spring Conference in Guelph (March), the OEN AGM near Lion's Head (Oct.), the IPPSO Conference and AGM in Toronto (Nov.) And a meeting of Green Power Organizations in Huntsville (Dec. As part of our ongoing awareness campaign on problems with nuclear power generation, the Co-ordinator did substantial research in communication with the Atomic Energy Control Board (AECB) and made submissions and presentations at several reactor licence renewal hearings of the Board, mostly at their Ottawa location, and one at Port Hope. He also attended a tour of the Heavy Water Production Plant (slated for decommissioning) and a demonstration of the Environmental Values Review Program at the Bruce Nuclear Power Development near Tiverton.

All in all, a busy and productive, rewarding year as demonstrated by the many favourable comments received at this office!

Go to next Annual Report
Go to previous Annual Report
Return to top of page