Eager to bulldoze

Wind developer seeking to erect industrial wind turbines at Ostrander Point before appeal is heard

with files from Cheryl Anderson

Gilead Power Corporation wants to build right away. They don’t want to wait for a decision from the Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) before they erect nine massive industrial wind turbines— each reaching nearly 500 feet to the top of the blade tip—on pristine Crown Land at Ostrander Point.

The wind developer received approval from the Ministry of Environment in late December. That decision was appealed to the ERT by the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists (PECFN) and the Alliance to Protect Prince Edward County (APPEC). PECFN is objecting to the development over concerns by many conservancy groups about the damage this industrial installation will wreak upon wildlife in the area—particularly migrating birds and the habitat of two endangered species that is expected to be destroyed or disrupted as part of the development. APPEC is appealing on the basis of the risk these machines may pose in terms of adverse health effects on nearby residents.

But Gilead doesn’t want to wait for this process to play itself out—despite the fact that it must be concluded by July. Nor is it required to wait under the rules devised in the Green Energy Act.

PECFN has asked the Tribunal to impose a stay on development activity on the site until it has ruled. Gilead is objecting to the stay, arguing it wants to begin construction immediately since the Ministry of Environment only prohibits it from construction during the avian breeding season—May 1 until July 23.

The Tribunal is expected to rule on the proposed stay in a matter of days.

Meanwhile the ERT has established a block of hearing dates beginning the week of March 4 and picking up the week of March 25 and again the week of April 3.

The hearings are set to be held in the Town Hall in Demorestville but the ERT is looking into larger and more convenient venues with which to conduct the main hearings.

It seems likely the PECFN and APPEC appeals will happen sequentially rather than flipping from one issue to another.