Bear Head Energy’s Response Letter to Premier Tim Houston
Hon. Tim Houston
MLA Pictou East
2042 Queen Street
Westville, NS, B0K 2A0
May 21, 2024
Dear Premier Houston,
Thank you for your May 7, 2024 letter respecting the April 18 Blue Mountain Open House and questions raised with regard to the proposed Websters Corner wind farm. Our team has prepared responses which are provided along with the questions as an attachment to this letter. This correspondence will be posted to the Bear Head Energy website.
We appreciate your efforts in facilitating communication with the community in the area of the proposed wind farm. Please let us know of any additional questions or concerns which may reach your office.
Thank you,
Paul MacLean, Managing Director
Bear Head Energy Inc.
April 18, 2024 Blue Mountain Town Hall Meeting hosted by Hon. Tim Houston, MLA Pictou East
Questions and Concerns
Responses for each item provided by Bear Head Energy, May 21, 2024
1. Do the turbines create any additional fire risk and what preparations have to be made in case there's a fire at or around the wind farm?
There are examples from around the world where wind turbines have caught fire. Based on our understanding, these incidents are anomalies. However, it is important to recognize that extreme weather and recent record high temperatures and dry conditions caused by climate change have intensified wildfires across the country (Canada’s record-breaking wildfires in 2023: A fiery wake-up call) As the Webster’s Corner Wind Farm is being planned and designed, access to each turbine will be critical for both installation and on-going maintenance. Roads in the area will be maintained to support on-going regular maintenance activities and will be available for any emergency response throughout the proposed project area. The improved road network in the project area will facilitate both fire hazard monitoring and response. BHE will develop Fire Risk Monitoring and Emergency Response Plans, and work with the Province, the County and local Fire Departments to outline roles and responsibilities for the implementation of the plan.
2. As a community we enjoy the outdoors, and the proposed area is an area that many residents use for a number of purposes. What limitations of use will this put on the crown land?
In general, the public will have access to the area. Per our safety-first policy, we will request that certain safety protocols be adhered to in areas near the turbines. As with any development, inherent risks will be managed and mitigated. One unique risk is that wind turbines can gather ice that can be shed from the turbine in the winter. There will be signage indicating this risk of falling ice.
We know there are trails in the area used for hiking, snowmobiling and ATVs. We have started to reach out to these groups to understand their use and how we can work together. We are forming a working group with the snowmobile and ATV clubs, which will include regular workshops leading up to construction and operations.
3. We understand the Province wanting to find "best uses" for crown land. Are there community and provincial benefits that the company can describe that would support an argument as to why a wind farm is the best use of this crown land?
The land being leased for Websters Corner provides wildlife habitat and is currently used for forestry and recreation purposes. These uses will continue as they are compatible with a wind farm development. Should the proposed project proceed, it will bring significant benefits to the community, including:
- Over $4.5 million annually in municipal taxes
- 250 direct jobs during the construction period (2026 – 2028)
- 20 – 25 full-time local permanent jobs throughout the operation of the wind farm
- Total wind farm capital spending of approximately $1 billion, of which $100 – $120 million is expected to benefit the local community directly
We are meeting with stakeholders to identify further opportunities to support the community. Bear Head Energy has supported local organizations around the Point Tupper facility, such as the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre and other community events and activities. We will continue this support in Pictou County and the communities in which we operate.
4. Are there other pieces of land that the company has evaluated that do not encroach so closely on folks' property?
Bear Head Energy is looking at leasing additional land contiguous to the project area.
5. What impact do wind turbines have on family health? Will it cause neurological issues?
Safety is at the forefront of everything Bear Head Energy does and is reflected in our safety-first approach. Proper project design will reduce and eliminate impacts on human health and quality of life, such as noise, which will be addressed in our environmental assessment.
For more information on the general effects of wind turbines on noise, visual surroundings, safety, wildlife, property values, and the environment, please read this document from the Province of Nova Scotia:
https://energy.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/Wind%20Turbine%20Effects.pdf
6. What impact will having a wind turbine 1km from my home have on my property value?
Bear Head Energy is committed to minimizing the project's potential impacts on the community by working with the community and the municipal, provincial, and federal governments.
Research studies by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in the United Kingdom and the Renewable Energy Policy Project in the United States found no evidence that property values in the line of sight of wind farms are lower than those in a similar region.
For more information on the general effects of wind turbines on noise, visual surroundings, safety, wildlife, property values, and the environment, please read this document from the Province of Nova Scotia:
https://energy.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/Wind%20Turbine%20Effects.pdf.
7. What impact will having a wind turbine 1 km from my home have on my ground water/well?
The construction and operation of the wind farm will not impact the water supplies or wells of nearby houses. More generally, BHE is responsible for any damage it may cause to any property in the area.
8. Would the company consider calculating the 1km setback from property lines? If my children decide to build on our property when they get older, I would like for them to still be at least 1km away.
Bear Head Energy is working to maximize setbacks, site 500 MW of generating capacity so as to maximize electricity output, and meet/exceed the Pictou County bylaw requirements. BHE is seeking additional land to facilitate meeting these objectives.
9. Will taxpayers have to pay to remove the wind turbines once they have reached the end of their life or what assurances can the company provide to residents that these won't eventually simply become dilapidated, dangerous eyesores?
At the conclusion of the lease, BHE is responsible for removing the turbines. The Wagner Lease requires BHE to make annual contributions to a decommissioning fund to ensure monies are available for this purpose at that time.
10. Would there ever be a point in time when the power produced from this farm would go into the existing grid and help Nova Scotia green our own grid?
Bear Head Energy does not expect to produce a significant surplus of wind energy. In the event that a surplus is generated, for example If our Point Tupper hydrogen/ammonia facility is shut down for maintenance, that surplus will be made available to the Nova Scotia Power grid.
11. Can we continue to hunt to feed our family both during the construction and when the wind farm is operational? Is there a specific distance people need to stay away from them to be safe while hunting?
In general, the public including hunters will have access to the area. Per our safety-first policy, we will request that certain safety protocols be adhered to in areas near the turbines.
12. What is the company's proposed timeline? How will the company interact with residents at various stages along the timeline?
The current timeline is to register the project for environmental assessment in the first quarter of 2025 and be prepared to begin construction in late 2025. It is an estimated three-year construction phase. Testing and commissioning would be in 2028.
More detailed timeline:
• 4Q 2023 – 4Q 2025: Engineering Design
• 4Q 2023 – 4Q 2026: Environmental Studies and Wind Resource Data
Collection
• 4Q 2023 – 3Q 2025: Other Permitting and Approvals to Construct
• 1Q 2025 – Environmental Assessment Registration
• 2025 – 2028: Construction
• 2028: Testing and Commissioning
Bear Head Energy is working to engage a local individual to serve as a Community Liaison Officer and be accessible to area residents. We will host more information sessions in the future so that residents can attend and learn more about the project. Additionally, stakeholders are encouraged to visit our website, www.BearHeadEnergy.ca, to learn more about the project, submit questions, and sign up for Bear Head Energy’s email list to receive notifications of significant project updates and milestones.
13. Is there any detailed information regarding the construction phase and when and for how long logging and road construction, turbine erection will be occurring in the neighborhood?
Detailed construction planning has not yet been completed. As these plans are developed they will be shared with the community via the Community Liaison Committee, periodic email updates and posted on the project web site.
14. Can you confirm that access to the area will not be gated off, so emergency services may access the surrounding areas in case of emergencies such as wildfires?
Bear Head Energy confirms that the area will not be gated off and emergency services will have access.
15. Research suggests darker colours on the blades ensure visibility. Will there be efforts to ensure turbine blades will be visible to prevent bird fatalities?
There are many mitigation measures to reduce the potential interactions between turbines and birds and bats. Through the environmental assessment process, there are on-going studies to understand bird and bat movement through the proposed project area. There will be a review of the best available technologies including blade colour to mitigate potential interactions and those deemed appropriate to this setting will be applied.
16. Is there a migrating bird study?
Yes. Bear Head Energy is conducting bird studies to understand bird migratory patterns in the area, and the project must adhere to provincial and federal guidelines. Mitigation measures will be put in place to reduce the impact on birds.
17. When does the company intend to start the Environmental Assessment process?
Bear Head Energy has commenced the environmental assessment studies and modelling to fulfill with the requirements of the EA process as cited in Nova Scotia’s Environment Act. Several of these studies are underway, including bird studies and wetland identification.
