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Wind Power News: British Columbia
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.
Regional District to construct wind farm zoning category
DAWSON CREEK, B.C. – Following a report on to the Peace River Regional District’s board of directors last week, staff have been directed to look to other jurisdictions for ideal regulations. The report, presented by the regional district’s General Manager of Development Services Bruce Simard. The PRRD does not have a zoning category that wind farms fit into, so one will have to be constructed. “The board decided that it’s going to be discussed at committee of the whole … because . . . Complete story »
Peace River Regional District withdraws wind farm zoning proposal
The Peace River Regional District has decided not to create a new category of zoning specific to wind farms. Instead, staff will research rules in place in other provinces regulating wind farms on private lands. Current zoning bylaws do not have regulations for wind farms, Bruce Simard, the regional district’s general manager of development services, said. “(We could) create a new type of zone… and consider adding some basic requirements in terms of setbacks and noise thresholds and these type . . . Complete story »
Peace River Regional District mulls new zoning rules for wind farms
The Peace River Regional District is looking at establishing a new category of zoning for wind farms that would come with a formal review process for projects too small for a provincial environmental assessment. A report produced by General Manager of Development Services Bruce Simmard for consideration at a Jan. 14 committee of the whole meeting, shows that a number of applications for wind farms on PRRD lands have been received for small-scale wind projects. “Inquiries from industry indicate that . . . Complete story »
Christy Clark accused of interfering in local band election to aid brother’s deal
Premier Christy Clark has been accused of interfering in a local band election to help a candidate who supports a $10-million wind farm proposal involving her brother, Bruce Clark. Ms. Clark was not available for comment, but her office denied that the Premier’s recent visit to Haida Gwaii was in any way meant to influence the campaign of Chief Ken Rea, who was narrowly re-elected Monday, or to assist Mr. Clark’s business deal with the band. “There’s no merit to . . . Complete story »
No political interference in brother’s wind farm proposal, says Premier’s Office
Premier Christy Clark’s office is denying there was any political interference in a local band election in Haida Gwaii. That’s in response to a Globe and Mail report that a candidate alleges the Premier’s visit to the community November 26th influenced the election, which was won by his rival who supports a $10-million dollar wind farm proposal involving her brother. Spokesperson Ben Chin says the province has been discussing expanding the local school in Old Massett for more than a . . . Complete story »
Wind proposal continues to fan Monteny residents’ ire
About 130 people crammed into Montney Recreational Hall on Tuesday to voice concerns about a proposed wind energy project that, if approved, would see up to seven turbines built northeast of Charlie Lake. Montney resident Delbert Benterud organized the emotionally-charged public meeting as a platform for neighbours to come together and express opinions on the project, which were by and large voices of opposition. “We’re going to see these things all over the whole valley,” said Lorna Wollen, who lives . . . Complete story »
Montney Hall to host meeting on proposed wind farm next week
The Montney Hall will be the site of an impact awareness meeting next week to discuss a wind farm being proposed for the region north of Fort St. John in Area B of the Peace River Regional District. Organizer Delbert Benterud says the project already has the approval of the Agriculture Land Commission, but not the PRRD, and he’s extended invitations to both, to attend the Tuesday night meeting scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM. The project proponent is U.K. . . . Complete story »
Health, property concerns raised over Montney wind proposal
The proposed Montney Wind Energy Project is causing grief among residents who fear the wind turbines will lower the value of their homes, and put their health at risk. Although project proponent Renewable Energy Systems Canada has held two public meetings on the project, Montney resident Delbert Benterud wasn’t satisfied with the way they were conducted. “The public meeting… was not really what I call a public forum,” said Benterud in an interview with the Alaska Highway News. “It was . . . Complete story »
Wind farm concept testing generates no controversy in Juan de Fuca
No-one showed up at a public hearing this week to speak either for or against a rezoning application that would allow 80 metre meteorological towers in remote reaches of Juan de Fuca. Forest company Timberwest has been measuring wind speeds on some of its thousands of hectares of forest resource land, in the hopes that some day development of a wind farm to produce electricity may prove viable. So far it has erected two towers under special temporary permits issued . . . Complete story »
The windy valley — Wind power has potential in Merritt
The president of a renewable energy engineering company is hoping to have wind power in the Nicola Valley by 2018. “I’m here to let the community know that wind energy can work and that it’s being looked at in this neighbourhood,” said Martin Ince to a group of about 20 people last month at a chamber of commerce hosted meeting last month. Ince is the president of M.K. Ince and Associates Ltd. (MKI), a Vancouver-based wind energy development company that . . . Complete story »
