December 20, 2014
Nova Scotia

Wind firm seeks approval for project near Amherst

JOANN ALBERSTAT, BUSINESS EDITOR | The Chronicle Herald | Published December 19, 2014 | thechronicleherald.ca

A Halifax wind developer is seeking provincial environmental approval for a three-turbine project in the Amherst area that has encountered community opposition.

Natural Forces Wind Inc. filed the six-megawatt project with the Environment Department on Friday. The venture will be owned by a partnership called Mi’kmaq Wind4All Communities LP.

The wind farm would be located on private land, about 5.5 kilometres east of Amherst’s town centre. Construction is slated to start in the winter, with the turbines being operational in the fall.

Environment Minister Randy Delorey has until Feb. 17 to rule on the Cumberland County project.

The venture is a partnership involving Nova Scotia’s 13 Mi’kmaq communities, a community economic development corporation that will be set up in 2015, and Natural Forces Wind. The native bands are represented by an entity called Beaubassin Mi’kmaq Wind Management.

The project won’t have a major impact on the environment, according to an assessment prepared by Natural Forces Wind. But residents have expressed concern about the turbine plan, the report said.

A pair of public meetings earlier this year attracted more than 80 people. A third session was held with Mik’maq representatives to further explain the project and answer questions.

The main concerns are property values and the impact on future land use, the filing said.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/12/20/wind-firm-seeks-approval-for-project-near-amherst/