Shana Grey

Published Dec 20, 2024  

A 58-turbine windmill project in western New Brunswick has been given the green light from the province, despite concerns from some in the community.

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JDI’s $550-million wind farm, proposing 34 turbines expected to generate 200 megawatts of power and eventually expanding to 58 turbines, is being planned in the Brighton Mountain area, a rural area east of Florenceville Bristol and a few kilometres south of the tiny community of Juniper.

The project was met with angry opposition during an August open house, where some community complained they weren’t properly consulted.

JDI vice-president of communications Anne McInerney said with the approval in hand, the company looks forward to working with the province and the community on the project.

She said there has been no change to the previously announced project details and any new updates, including a potential start date for construction, would be posted as available on the project website.

In an emailed response to Brunswick News, department of Environment and Local Government spokesperson Vicky Lutes said the project underwent a thorough review by a technical review committee, subject matter experts from provincial and federal agencies, and the local regional service commission.

She said during the review all issues identified were considered and addressed prior to the decision being made and a list of conditions was imposed to address all relevant issues.

“The department is committed to working with the proponent to ensure they adhere to the conditions of their EIA (environmental impact assessment) determination,” she said.

In total, the province attached 29 conditions to the approval, which address things like proper permitting of the project, and impacts such as noise management, bird and bat monitoring, as well as the eventual decommissioning of the project.

There are also six conditions involving wetland protection, including a surface water monitoring plan during all phases of the development, which is required to be submitted for review and approval by the Department of Environment and Local Government.

The final decision on the environmental impact assessment was made by the new Liberal Minister of Environment and Climate Change Gilles LePage.

“I trust the rigorous process that our department has followed in this file and all other files submitted,” LePage said just days after being sworn in the executive council.

Stephanie Thornton, a Knowlesville resident, said in an emailed statement a group of concerned citizens have sent hundreds of emails to the previous government about the Brighton Mountain Project with little response.

She said the passing of the environmental assessment within days of the new Liberal government being sworn in is “a slap in the face.”

Knowlesville resident Jean Arnold echoed Thornton’s concern, stating LePage “dismissed ongoing citizen concerns.”

“How could he have reviewed with due diligence all the letters of concern from the citizens and got up to speed with the file to have passed the EIA?” Arnold said. “This needs to be called into question.”

The rural area where the Brighton Mountain Project will be constructed is poised to become a hot bed for alternative energy projects, with two additional wind farm proposals being proposed.

The two smaller projects, by two separate companies, could see an additional 15 wind turbines nearby.

The St. Mary’s First Nation/Eolectric Wind Farm Project, is planned on Crown land north of nearby Glassville, and is in the predevelopment stage, according to Simon Parent-Pothier, director of development and partnerships with Eolectric.

He confirmed the company is in advanced stages of discussion with NB Power and the project will be 51 per cent owned by Sitansisk (St. Mary’s First Nation).

Continue at https://tj.news/fredericton-west/massive-wind-farm-project-gets-gre...

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