February 1, 2013
Nova Scotia

Wind project proposed for McLellan’s Brook

The News | February 1, 2013 | www.ngnews.ca

A proposed four-turbine wind project near McLellan’s Brook is in the environmental assessment phase of its development.

Watts Wind Energy Inc. plans on erecting the six-megawatt wind project pending approval of its environmental assessment from the Minister of Environment, which the company registered with the department of environment Tuesday.

Paul Pynn, vice president of Watts Wind Energy Inc., did not respond to a request for an interview about the wind project in Pictou County by press time Friday.

The assessment states the nearest residence to the site is more than 600 metres away and the site is “rural in nature.” The development is 7 kilometres south of Stellarton with the closest communities being Churchville at 3.2 km northwest of the site, Kirkmount at 2.7 km northeast from the site and McLellan’s Brook at 2.2 km north of the site.

The environmental assessment states “The proponent will ensure final (wind turbine generator) selection and site layout will comply with municipal setback regulations, and do not exceed 40 (A-weighted decibel sound power level) at the nearest dwelling from project operation. 40 (A-weighted decibel) is considered acceptable noise level.”

Construction is expected to start in September and the project is expected to be fully operational by the winter of 2014, should the environmental assessment be approved.

The height of the turbines will range from between 117 to 144 m and the project is expected to power 2,000 homes and offset 14,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.

The assessment also states that the project is expected to create opportunities for construction, electrical and transportation contracts in nearby communities and in Pictou County.

The project is funded privately and no government funding has been or will be provided, the assessment said.

Watts Wind Energy Inc. is an independent power producer that has been awarded 20.6MWs of wind power projects through the government of Nova Scotia’s Community Feed-In Tariffs (COMFIT) program, which is designed to encourage the development of community owned renewable energy projects across Nova Scotia.

In addition to the McLellan’s Brook project in Pictou County, the company has 15.4 MWs of projects pending approval from the department of environment at other locations across Nova Scotia.

The environmental assessment, which was prepared for Watts Wind Energy Inc. by Eon WindElectric in association with Verterra Group, is available for the public to view. The public can submit comments about the assessment to Nova Scotia Environment until Feb. 28.

The environmental assessment documents can be viewed at

The Stellarton Public Library, 248 Foord Street, Stellarton, NS; Pictou County Chamber of Commerce, 980 East River Road, New Glasgow, NS;Ecology Action Centre, Suite 31, 1568 Argyle St., Halifax, NS;

Nova Scotia Environment, 20 Pumphouse Road, New Glasgow, NS; Nova Scotia Environment, fifth floor library, 5151 Terminal Road, Halifax, NS.

The assessment can also be viewed online at http://www.gov.ns.ca/enla/ea.

The public is invited to submit written comments to: Environmental Assessment Branch, Nova Scotia Environment, P.O. Box 442, Halifax, NS, B3J 2P8. The department can also be contacted by phone at (902)-424-0503 and by email at EA@gov.ns.ca.

According to the department of environment website, all submissions, including personal information will be made available for public review in the library on the 5th floor of the Nova Scotia Environment, Halifax.

The Minister of Environment will make a final decision on whether or not the environmental assessment will be approved on or before March 20.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/02/01/wind-project-proposed-for-mclellans-brook/