Three town councils back wind-power project
Municipal politician in three Eastern Townships communities have thrown their support behind a proposal to erect giant wind turbines in local farmers’ fields to generate electricity for markets south of the border.
In separate meetings Monday, the town councils of Pike River, Stanbridge Station and Bedford Canton — the three communities directly affected by the project — voted in favour of the Stanbridge Station Wind Plan.
Groupe S.M. International Inc., an engineering and project management firm, proposes to build 31 three-rotor wind turbines on farmland. The 138-metre-tall wind towers would produce a total of 62 megawatts of power, for export to the United States.
The plan, one of several such proposals solicited by Hydro-Québec, has come under fire from local residents.
Those opposed to the turbines have asked the government for a moratorium to allow for public consultations. Among their concerns: noise, visual blight, impact on animals and birds and construction traffic.
Meanwhile, the farmers whose property would provide sites for the turbines have been negotiating financial compensation with the developer.
The Brome-Missisquoi regional government is to adopt a position on the wind park project on Tuesday at a council meeting in Cowansville. The Quebec government would have the final say on the project.
17 August 2007
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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