December 31, 2015
Nova Scotia

Group loses bid against minister’s OK of Greenfield wind project

The CHRONICLE HERALD | Published December 30, 2015 | thechronicleherald.ca

A community group’s appeal of a permit for a wind project in Colchester County has been rejected.

The Friends of Harmony/Camden, Greenfield and Surrounding Areas were appealing the provincial energy minister’s approval in November 2014 of a two-turbine, 3.2-megawatt wind project in Greenfield, Colchester County, via the now-defunct Community Feed-In Tariff Program.

The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board released its decision Tuesday, ruling that the project is allowed to operate.

The board noted in its decision that, despite the opposition from the community group, the fact the project had some community support was reason enough for the energy minister to grant its approval.

In a news release, members of the community group said they were disappointed by the board’s ruling.

“We appreciate that the UARB listened with respect to the arguments presented to them on behalf of our community but (are) disappointed that legitimate community concerns were not dealt with over the course of the three-year period leading up to this hearing.

“It is very difficult for rural communities to fight against a government intent on pushing forward programs at all cost, such as the community-based COMFIT program.”

The release expressed particular disappointment that as the turbines were being raised, the government “cancelled the COMFIT program under which the turbines were promoted, with government citing many of the same reasons” that the group has raised, including “the significant extra costs for wind power with which all Nova Scotia ratepayers will be burdened for decades.”

Reuben Burge of RMS Energy, which developed the project, said he was pleased with the ruling. The site has been operational since Nov. 1 without any issues, he said.

“It’s been everything we hoped it would be. The turbines are working out great and they’re operating great.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/12/31/group-loses-bid-against-ministers-ok-of-greenfield-wind-project/