North Stormont citizens lose wind turbine appeal

A citizen group in the Township of NorthStormont, Ont., has lost its appeal to stop a wind farm development in the community 60 kilometressouthof Ottawa.

The 100-megawatt Nation Rise Wind Farm wasapproved under the previous Ontario Liberal government in 2016after the local council had voted to proclaim the community a"non-willing host."

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Concerned Citizens of NorthStormont, a group that included people who lived around the proposed site,appealed overconcerns aboutnoiseand the possible environmental impact of the structureson local wildlife and groundwater.

In a decision dated late last week, the Ontario's Environmental Review Tribunal said the group's evidence was not strong enough.

"We were not surprised by the tribunal's ruling, but we were disappointed by the outcome," said MargaretBenke, who lives near the wind farm site and was involved in organizing the appeal.

"The Environmental Review Tribunal rules and regulations are so stringent that it's almost impossible to win."

Benkesaid the group is considering a lawsuit, though it may be too costly.

"It doesn't seem that's really in our best interest,chances are that we wouldn't win or what we'd win would be more time for the proponent to get to the same stage," she said.

She said the group may make a public interestappeal directly to provincialEnergy Minister GregRickford.

Construction to start in spring

A representative for EDPRenewables, the Portuguese company which owns and operates Nation Rise, said community concerns are addressed in the rules that first allowed the project.

"[In the]Renewable Energy Approval, there are conditionsthat are meant for us to follow and ensure that the environment and human health are protected," saidTomLoTurco, its director of developmentin Canada and eastern U.S.

LoTurcosaid the company plans to start construction in the coming months, though major work can't start until spring out of respect for local road restrictions.

Turbine components will be delivered in July, with installation to follow shortly afterward.

"We plan to have commercial operation by the end of 2019," LoTurco said.

Construction will also include building a substation, transmission facilities,meteorologicalequipment, private roads and public road improvements, he said.