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Wind Power News: Nova Scotia
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational mission 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. The original articles, links to which are provided, may have additional links and photos and other media that were not included here.
‘It’s just so wrong’: Pictou County councillors vent on wind turbine setbacks
Province limits setbacks to about half of what municipality settled on. Years of work and lots of taxpayer dollars were blown out the window with one quick amendment to provincial legislation, say Pictou County councillors. It took a lot of effort over several years to come up with setback standards for wind turbines in Pictou County, said Warden Robert Parker at their May 5 meeting. The council settled on a one-kilometre setback with noise regulations. “And then along comes the . . . Complete story »
N.S. wind turbine setback regulations a government overreach, citizens group says
A Nova Scotia citizens group is sounding the alarm on what it calls the provincial government’s overreach into municipal responsibilities. “On one level, they (provincial government) want the municipalities to do things but then if municipalities put a lot of time and energy into it, and look to their community and decide what is best for the community, if the province doesn’t like it, they can just override it,” said Madeline Conacher of Green Nova Scotia First. “It’s extremely frustrating . . . Complete story »
Colchester County group ‘shocked’ by new setbacks on wind turbines
New setbacks on wind turbine regulations administered by the provincial government have left a citizens’ group wondering why. At a public hearing for Colchester County’s new municipal planning strategy and draft land use bylaw on March 27, Protect Wentworth Valley member Nancy Frame spoke of her concerns to council. “I’m shocked and dismayed that the province’s amendments to the Municipal Government Act would override council and the community’s work in favour of setback requirements,” said Frame. “I’m not sure who . . . Complete story »
Nova Scotia limits wind turbine setback regulations, denies local input on visual impact
The Provincial government has amended regulations to make it easier for wind energy projects to move forward. The Province is amending the Minimum Planning Requirements Regulations to establish maximum allowable setbacks for wind turbines for Nova Scotia municipalities. “Our government is making it easier for wind energy projects to move forward while ensuring that our communities and the environment are respected and protected,” said John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “These amendments will provide municipalities with clear, consistent standards for . . . Complete story »
N.S. government imposes changes on West Hants wind turbine amendments
A Lower Vaughan resident is among those expressing concern after the Nova Scotia government imposed changes on West Hants Regional Municipality planning documents relating to large scale wind turbines. Steven Hart said that while he didn’t think that the municipal amendments as proposed would make it through provincial ministerial approval, he didn’t expect the province to “overrule it in such a manner to make our bylaws worse for residents or our council.” He said a public consultation process resulted in . . . Complete story »
Wind farms are killing bats in Nova Scotia, say researchers
Three migratory bat species were recommended for Canada’s species at risk list because of wind turbines. With many wind farms under development in Nova Scotia, experts say extra caution is needed to protect migratory bats from being killed by wind turbine blades. The hoary bat, the silver-haired bat, and the eastern red bat were recommended for Canada’s species at risk list in 2023 due to wind turbine fatalities. Researchers advocate that the three bat species be officially added to the . . . Complete story »
West Hants wants more space between wind turbines and private land. Developers aren’t happy.
One company says if the bylaw is approved, it ‘would nearly eliminate’ new wind farms in the municipality. A Nova Scotia municipal council has voted to increase the distance wind turbines must be from private property without the owner’s permission, but companies behind the renewable energy projects fear the change could set a new precedent that would stifle development across the province. The change, which has yet to be approved by the province, would require commercial turbines in the West . . . 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 »
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 »
Colchester wind farm gets greenlight despite opposition
A controversial proposed wind farm in Colchester County has gotten the thumbs up from the provincial Department of Environment and Climate Change. On Thursday, Minister Timothy Halman approved the Kmtnuk Wind Power Project’s environmental assessment with conditions. Kmtnuk, jointly owned by Membertou First Nation and EverWind Fuels, plans to start construction this coming year on its 16-turbine wind farm on Nuttby Mountain between the communities of Earltown, McCallum Settlement and North River. The project will have a capacity of 98 . . . Complete story »
