Some Weyburn residents oppose wind farm project, citing health concerns

A potential wind farm development east of Weyburn aimed at reducing Saskatchewan's greenhouse gas emissions has left residents divided.

More than 50 people showed up at RM of Weyburn's Wednesday council meeting to oppose the Seven Stars Energy Project. Reeve Norm McFadden had clarified to presenting delegates that the council wouldn't take questions as it wasn't a public hearing.

However, the reeve soon found himself answering questions about the wind farms. McFadden said the project will only go ahead after having conversations with residents.

"We are probably in the toughest spot of anybody that's involved with this right now. Whichever way it goes, we're probably going to wear the brunt of it, which is unfortunate, but that's part of it too," he said.

The Seven Stars Energy project is aimed at building a 200 megawatt wind facility that includes 46 turbines covering RM of Weyburn No. 67 and RM of Griffin No. 66, Saskatchewan, according to the project plan.

Alberta-based company Enbridge is in charge of building and operating the wind turbines. It says the turbines will have a hub height of 120 metres and a rotor diameter of 175 metres combining for a total height of about 205 metres.

At least six delegates spoke at the council meeting. Most of them shared their primary concerns were around health and noise. Kim Brady, a Weyburn resident who also spoke as a delegate, said they're also concerned of property devaluation because of the wind turbines.

"Why put it by a populated area right on the edge of a city of 12,000 people surrounded by dozens and dozens and dozens of acreages and land owners," he said.

Amanda Krisa moved to Weyburn from the Okanagan more than six years ago. She said part of why she moved was because she wanted a quiet, rural life. Krisa said she'd consider selling her place if the wind turbines go up.

"I think that living near a wind turbine farm for a commercial aspect is going to be devastating to our lifestyle," she said.

"It's going to ruin our visual, which is ...a very small portion, but it's not when you live somewhere and you go home and you sit on your deck and you enjoy your animals and your space."

Enbridge points to Health Canada study

The minister for SaskPower Dustin Duncan wouldn't comment on the negative feedback, saying that questions should be directed to Enbridge

When theproject wasannounced, Duncan said itwill help ensureSaskPower reaches its goals of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and deploying up to 3,000 MW of wind and solar generation by 2035.

Enbridge, in response to the health concerns, pointed to a 2014 Health Canada study. The study measured sleep quality and measures associated with stress like blood pressure or the resting heart rate. On all of its measures, it said there was no distinct association between health and having wind turbines close by.

The study mentioned that the "results may not be generalized" to areas outside of PEI or Ontario where the study was originally done. Some protesting people at the RM office said the lack of regional context was a concern.

McFadden said the Health Canada study is what they'll rely on.

"That's kind of our benchmark for all of the health concerns. Yeah, it's probably not the popular answer, but that's where we have to go," he said.

For the noise part of concerns, Enbridge said the cumulative sound from turbines will be less than 40 decibels or equivalent to a whisper from 1.5 metres away.

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Enbridge, in its open-house documents from July, said it only acquired the project from EDF Renewables in June. Alex McNichol, director of power development at Enbridge Canada, said the company's at a fairly early stage into the project.

"I wouldn't expect there not to be concerns," he said. "I think that's on us to sit down with individuals or groups, and talk through that."

The RM of Weyburn has bylaws for commercial wind systems that say they must be at a minimum distance of one kilometrefrom any residence. Enbridge has now proposed a change in the bylaw to reduce that limit to 750 metres.

McNichol said the request was made after referring to similar wind farm projects in Saskatchewan. He said they'll have conversations with the communityto zero down on a number.

McNichol said it's too early to say if they'll be open to making changes to the project location in light of the protest from some Weyburn residents.

Minister touts benefits for Indigenous groups

The Saskatchewan Indigenous Investment Finance Corp., in a June announcement, said it would provide up to $100 million in loan guarantees to the six Indigenous partners.

As a result of that investment, Six Nations Energy Development LP a newly formed consortium comprising Cowessess, George Gordon, Kahkewistahaw, Pasqua and White Bear First Nations as well as Mtis Nation-Saskatchewan would get at least a 30 per cent ownership stake in the Seven Stars Energy Project.

Saskatchewan's Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said the "historic" investment will benefit almost 25 per cent of the province's Indigenous population.

McFadden said he's heard concerns about the project, but on the other hand, he's also heard from people supporting the project.

"A few of them are like I can understand where people in that area are coming from as to why they don't want them. But at the same time this is the future, right? As much as we maybe disagree with the whole green energy thing, it's becoming more and more relevant in North America, whether it's wind or solar," he said.

Enbridge said its initial projection was to have the turbines spinning by 2027, but with the latest protests, that timeline could change.