January 16, 2012
Nova Scotia

Group opposed to Braeshore wind turbines

Sueann Musick, The News, www.ngnews.ca 15 January 2012

Residents of Braeshore upset over the proposed construction of a wind turbine in their neighbourhood are looking for support from others in the community.

About 30 people gathered at the home of Susan Moland Saturday morning to collect petitions that will be circulated in Pictou County in opposition of Wind Prospect’s application through ComFit to have two wind turbines put up in the Braeshore area.

“The trouble with wind energy is that it is best in the spring and fall and is usually better at night rather than during the day,” she said. “These are low periods when we don’t use a lot of energy. There isn’t any ability to store the energy that isn’t being used. It’s not as green as everyone thinks.”

Moland has expressed concerns in the past over health problems that could arise from living too close to wind turbines as well as their property values decreasing.

She said the only people getting any kind of long term benefits out of the construction of the wind turbines will be the lawyers and people who have leased the land to Wind Prospect.

The group agreed that the most effective way to fight the construction of the two wind turbines is to gather community support against the company’s proposal. A spokesman for Wind Prospect and Pictou West MLA Charlie Parker both said recently that the project would not go ahead until it had community support.

Through the ComFit program, 25 people must be signed up as shareholders in the project and these people can live anywhere within Pictou County.

Moland said it’s unfair that someone who doesn’t live close to turbines can support the project when it will have no effect on their living conditions.

This is why it is important to educate people, she said, but Braeshore isn’t the only area that will be effected by wind turbines.

“We need to concentrate on what we know now and get signatures on these petitions,” she said. “The first step is to get yourself educated, get on the websites and be prepared.”

The group also agreed that a committee should be formed so that their efforts are more effective and organized.

Once the petitions are circulated and signed, they will be presented to Parker, who is also the energy minister for the province.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/16/group-opposed-to-braeshore-wind-turbines/