Environmental Approval Given for wind project

From CNW Group

SkyPower receives environmental approval for Digby, Nova Scotia, wind project
TORONTO, Aug. 24 /CNW/ - SkyPower Corp. and Scotian Windfields are
pleased to announce today that Nova Scotia Environment has granted
environmental approval for 25.5 MW of wind turbine capacity for the Digby wind
power project which is to be located in Digby, Nova Scotia. Once completed,
the Digby Project will be one of Nova Scotia's largest wind parks.
SkyPower and Scotian Windfields had originally filed a request for
approval for a 30MW project. As part of the Environmental Assessment Approval
process, 3 of the proposed turbines (4.5 MWs) were excluded from the approval
and will require relocation subject to further consultation with Nova Scotia
Department of Natural Resources (NSDNR) Wildlife Division regarding wildlife
connectivity and Nova Scotia Environment (NSE) regarding sound and setbacks.
The proposed relocation of the turbines will be shortly submitted to the NSE
Environmental Assessment Branch for review and further consideration. SkyPower
and Scotian Windfields are confident today that it will be able to identify 3
more suitable turbine locations in the next few weeks and proceed to seek
approval for the final 4.5MWs.
"In concert with our partner Scotian WindFields, SkyPower has worked for
several years with a view to building an outstanding project in Nova Scotia.
Clearly, support from the community and local government has been instrumental
in helping us secure our Environmental Approval," said Kerry Adler, President
and Chief Executive of SkyPower Corp. "We look forward to continuing to
support Premier Darrell Dexter's mandate to achieve the government's
aggressive renewable energy and emission reduction targets."
"SkyPower would like to take this opportunity to thank the community,
landowners, Nova Scotia Power Incorporated (NSPI), and both the local and
provincial governments for their support and approval today. This is a
significant milestone for the people of Nova Scotia and will help generate a
brighter future for generations to come."
SkyPower and Scotian Windfields have received a tremendous amount of
community support for the Digby project. A recent independent research survey
conducted by Pollara revealed:

- 84% of residents within Digby area support wind power development in
their area;
- 88% of residents within the Digby Neck and Town support the proposed
Digby wind power project;
- 90% of residents within the Digby area support increased wind power
development in the Province of Nova Scotia.

Over the next few weeks SkyPower and Scotian Windfields will continue to
work closely with its partners, engineers and local constituents to finalize
its revised schedule and looks forward to commencing construction of this
exciting project in the near future.

About Scotian Windfields

Scotian WindFields Inc. is a Community based company providing leadership
and investment opportunities for local Nova Scotians to invest in and share in
the development of renewable energy projects. Its initial focus has been in
Nova Scotia but is now sharing its knowledge and approach throughout Atlantic
Canada and beyond. In addition to this large scale project Scotian WindFields
is developing many projects designed to assist businesses and homeowners in
moving towards a more sustainable forms of energy utilization. Scotian
WindFields offer solar hot water systems and embedded wind energy solutions to
its ever increasing list of clients. For more information about Scotian
WindFields and how you can get involved please visit our website
www.scotianwindfields.ca

About SkyPower Corp.

SkyPower is a leading developer of renewable energy projects. SkyPower
has interests in a substantial number of renewable energy projects at various
stages of development, representing thousands of MW of potential nameplate
capacity. SkyPower is developing significant renewable energy projects in
Canada, the United States, India and Panama. SkyPower drives all phases of
project development including exploration, construction and operation. For
more information, visit www.skypower.com

Minister Approves Turbines

Sterling Belliveau, the new NDP Environment Minister, has approved 17 of the proposed 20 turbines of the Digby Wind Power Project for the villages of Rossway, Gulliver's Cove and Waterford on Digby Neck, with conditions. For more information, see http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/ea/digby.wind.sky.power.asp.

Nova Scotia Environment Department (NSE) appears to be satisfied with a 1000 metre setback from homes, though there remain homes in Gulliver's Cove within that distance of approved turbines.

Until more research on the health effects of wind turbines on humans living nearby is completed by third party researchers, we believe setbacks of at least 2.4 kilometres should be used as a precaution against any ill effects among residents of the host communities. This is in accordance with preliminary studies done by non-affiliated doctors as well as anecdotal evidence from residents who live near wind farms around the world.

NSE has joined the proponent in ignoring concerns from community members about possible effects on eco-tourism, migratory birds and bats, property values, impact of the transport of machinery and equipment on public roads, impact of new access roads, collector lines and transmission lines, impact of construction activity on residents (including blasting for foundations), full cost-benefit accounting of GHGs, and general fragmentation of the landscape.

We're very disappointed to learn that our new NDP government seems to be behaving the same way as our previous Conservative government when it comes to listening to the people.

If you sent a submission to NSE on this project, thank you! We will continue to fight this project.

Nora T. Peach
Judith Peach
Waterford, Digby Neck