April 29, 2008
Nova Scotia

Wind turbine bylaw to be developed

The environmental consultants 4Site Group, which has offices in Halifax and Yarmouth, has been awarded a contract to develop a wind turbine bylaw for the Municipality of Digby.

The bylaw will deal with issues regarding the placement of turbines, and will define acceptable location, minimum distance between windmills and buildings, and the minimum acceptable setback from the road.

While wind turbines are a source of ‘clean’ energy, people living nearby sometimes object to noise created by their operation. Others suggest they should not be erected on sites of great natural beauty.

The proposed bylaw will address these concerns for future developments. Turbines erected prior to adoption of the bylaw will be grandfathered.

Although there are currently just two wind turbines in Digby County—at Mount Pleasant and at Little Brook—more are planned for the future.

Nova Scotia Power recently announced new wind farms for Pictou and Antigonish counties. Between now and 2010, Nova Scotia Power intends to increase the amount of wind-generated energy by 500 per cent.

by Jeanne Whitehead