Wind Power News: Canada
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Saint John Energy wind farm accused of freeloading at N.B. Power’s expense
N.B. Power has asked permission to begin charging a "balancing" fee for having to deal with constantly fluctuating production levels. … N.B. Power lawyer John Furey accused Saint John Energy of dirty tricks at the hearing by financing two experts, one openly and one secretly, to testify against the proposals. Complete story »
East Zorra–Tavistock rejects proposed wind farm project
A wind farm project proposed for the Cassel and Innerkip areas of East Zorra-Tavistock ended before it began Wednesday after East Zorra–Tavistock council declared the township an “unwilling host.” The unanimous decision was met with loud cheers from most of the standing room-only crowd, who had gathered in council chambers to hear presentations from Helmut Schneider, Prowind Canada’s vice-president of renewable energy, and David Cunningham, a local farmer who represented Wind Concerns EZT, a grassroots citizens’ group. “I believe that . . . Complete story »
Alberta to ban renewable power projects on prime agricultural land
Alberta, which produces most of Canada’s crude oil, will ban renewable power projects on prime agricultural land and erect buffer zones to ensure wind turbines do not spoil scenic views, the provincial government said on Wednesday. Last year, Alberta temporarily halted approvals of major new projects amid concerns over renewables’ reliability and land use, cooling investment in the rapidly growing industry and challenging the federal government’s clean energy ambitions. The western province has led the country in building renewable capacity . . . Complete story »
Chatsworth remains unwilling to host wind turbine projects
Chatsworth is keeping its stance it will not host any wind turbine projects. Mayor Scott Mackey says council decided to maintain its unwilling hosts status to any wind turbine projects during a meeting on Feb. 21. “Chatsworth has been not a willing host for a number of years now and that was confirmed by council on Wednesday night that we continue to be not a willing host,” says Mackey. This comes as the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is proposing . . . Complete story »
County of St. Paul residents voice opposition to bylaw amendments for wind turbines, saying it is not enough
During a public hearing at the County of St. Paul’s regular council meeting on Feb. 13, residents spoke against the County’s proposed amendment to its Land Use Bylaw (LUB), particularly regarding wind turbines. The section of the LUB that specifically refers to wind turbines is “Section 7.35 Commercial Alternate Energy Development.” Around 30 residents from the Elk Point area attended the public hearing. Members of Wind Concerns, a group composed of Elk Point area residents, were also present. Group members . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine concerns shared with Town of Elk Point council
Mark Mallett and Chris Habiak of Wind Concerns visited the Town of Elk Point’s Feb. 12 council meeting in the Northern Lights Library System board room, with close to 40 residents of Northern Valley and surrounding areas in attendance at what Mayor Parrish Tung made clear was “not a public hearing. Mark and Chris are here with a 15-minute presentation.” That presentation started with a seven-minute video outlining potential health affects on those living in areas with industrial wind turbines . . . Complete story »
Colchester County wind farm proposal raises concerns
EverWind is developing 3 windpower facilities to produce hydrogen and ammonia for export. The company behind a proposed 50-turbine wind farm in Colchester County is preparing to submit for an environmental assessment, but residents have concerns about where the energy will end up. Nancy Frame moved to Folly Mountain, N.S., about 40 kilometres northeast of Truro, to be closer to nature. She has concerns about how the proposed Windy Ridge Wind Farm could affect the Cobequid Mountains – where other wind . . . Complete story »
EZT wind farm proposal draws grassroots opposition
The overwhelming message shared by attendees was to say no to Prowind. A new grassroots organization in East Zorra-Tavistock is raising concerns about a wind farm project proposed for the Cassel area. Davis Cunningham and Rick Hommes, both farmers who live within the proposed wind farm area, launched the group this month with a meeting at a local church attended by roughly 60 farmers and landowners. Cunningham said the overwhelming message shared by attendees was to say no to Prowind, . . . Complete story »
Cabinet admits delays, poor performance, denies cost overruns for “arctic” wind turbines
Cabinet admitted an Arctic green energy program is running behind schedule, but it denied millions in cost overruns, according to Blacklock’s Reporter. “Delays in projects occur for a variety of reasons,” said cabinet in an inquiry of ministry tabled in the House of Commons. “While the specific reasons for such delays are not collected systematically in the Department of Infrastructure’s reporting system, they are monitored.” Local authorities have sought to install a wind turbine on the tundra outside Inuvik, NU, . . . Complete story »
Fate of Higgins Mountain rests with Supreme Court judge
A group that has taken the provincial Environment Department to court to oppose the May 4, 2023, approval of a 17-turbine wind farm in the Wentworth Valley awaits with fingers crossed a Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge’s decision. “Our group is supportive of renewable energy; we understand that the province needs to meet its goal with respect to energy and getting us off coal,” said Nancy Frame, who lives in nearby Folly Mountain and is a member of the Protect . . . Complete story »