May 25, 2013
Letters, Nova Scotia

Battle over wind turbines far from over

Cape Breton Post | May 25, 2013 | www.capebretonpost.com

My comments were paraphrased in a recent article (Developer aims for fall start constructing turbines, May 22), but the reporter misinterpreted them when he wrote: “While McGuigan admitted it’s too late to stop the development of this particular wind farm, he wants future proposals to be more closely scrutinized.”

I meant the Cape Breton Regional Municipality couldn’t stop the construction because the development permit was already issued, and, if it did, it could cause legal issues for the CBRM.

This development will be stopped by the residents by way of the environmental review process.

Residents met with the CBRM council to ensure no other wind turbine development permits will be issued for the Hillside Boularderie and Groves Point areas, and that setbacks should be two kilometres.

What happens in other areas of the CBRM should be left to the people of the particular communities.

We live in a democratic land. We have issues around health concerns with infrasound, and property values depreciating.

A recent expansion request for the wind farm in Lingan has been turned down at the environmental assessment stage due to shadow flicker concerns.

In a letter, Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau stated: “During the environmental assessment review, it was determined that additional information is required with respect to turbine placement and the effects of shadow flicker. Information must be provided, together with model results, demonstrating turbines can be relocated within the study area and not result in exposure in excess of 30 minutes/day and/or 30 hours/year. Additional information may also be required with respect to potential adverse environmental effects of the expansion of the Lingan wind farm project in the event turbines are relocated to address effects of shadow flicker.”

This can also happen in Hillside Boularderie. The battle isn’t over.

Charles McGuigan

Hillside Boularderie


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/05/25/battle-over-wind-turbines-far-from-over/