County Wind Turbine Plan Not Unanimous

Cumberland County Council approved first reading of a new set of by-laws regarding wind turbines today, but not everyone was pleased.

Deputy Mayor Jennifer Houghtaling was the lone dissenting vote, saying wind energy needs to be a part of the battle in the current climate crisis.

The councillor for District 3 said the proposed by-law was too restrictive in two areas — a 3.5 kilometre buffer between any turbine and Highway 4 in the Wentworth Valley, and a bond covering the cost of decommissioning turbines at end of life. The new by-law calls for an up-front bond valued at no less that 125% of today’s cost estimates for decommissioning.

However, Houghtaling was successful with an amendment to reaffirm council’s support for wind energy projects in general.

Meanwhile, another amendment from the councillor representing the Wentworth area was denied when no other councillor would second her motion. Kathy Redmond proposed that new wind turbines be restricted to no taller than 97 metres, the same height as the existing windmills on the marsh near Amherst. The turbines proposed for Higgins Mountain are nearly double that height at 190 metres.

The draft by-law will be amended to reflect today’s changes and be presented before a public hearing on June 15th. It will then return to council for second reading and, perhaps, final consideration.

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