Government must regulate wind farm development

admin — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:49:00 GMT

By Jean Kenny jean.kenny@westprince.com A Wind Farm could be coming to your rural area warns a Cape Wolfe couple who say it’s time the provincial government put a halt to such developments until they enact legislation to protect both the environment and rural residents. Bev and Errol Howard of Cape Wolfe are part of a growing group of concerned citizens who are pressing the provincial government to put regulations in place to protect rural PEI from further wind farm development. Errol grew up on the family farm in Cape Wolfe just across the road form where he and his wife built their retirement home. They lived in Kensington until 2006 and when they retired were anxious to move into their new home. They had heard about the West Point Wind Farm, several kilometers up the road. They never expected that project was meant to extend all the way down through West Cape and into Cape Wolfe. “We never ever dreamed it would come down here,” said Mr Howard. He first saw the wind turbines when he travelled to the area from Kensington. “We would never have built our home here if we had known the wind mills were going up here.” Moving from the area to escape the windmills is not an option as the couple has already invested a lot in their beautiful new home. “Even if we could sell the house, we would do good to get half of what it’s worth,” he said. They’ve been told that real estate values have dropped in the area and homes have been on the market for two or three years without being sold. “We can’t do anything about what’s happened here,” said Mrs Howard. “But we want people to be aware of it. People have to be vigilant about what will happen to their area if a wind farm is developed.” The Howards say they can get very little information from those involved in the project but the word is that windmills will soon stretch all down the shore road. During the summer, residents in the area met with representatives from the energy company but the couple says there are still many unanswered questions. Many of those living in and around the area where the last of 55 windmills are being erected in the West Point to Cape Wolfe area are summer residents. “We’ve talked to many of them and they are very upset with this,” said Mrs Howard. “No one ever informed them that this was going on. They are only here in the summer but pay double taxes because they are off-Island land owners. They were devastated to come home and see all these windmills.” The Howards have been watching as the last of five large wind turbines across from their home go on line this week. Not only are they upset that the beauty of the area has been ruined by hundreds of wind turbine, they are also kept awake by the constant hum of the large propellers. “I never had trouble sleeping before but when the wind blows from the south they are very loud,” said Mrs Howard. “When I look out my kitchen windows that’s what I see.” The Cape Wolf couple have been joined by residents from Tignish and Campbellton who are also unhappy with what’s happening to the rural countryside and are hoping to hear from more individuals who share their concerns. The group has already started a letter writing campaign to government officials. A letter has been sent to the standing Committee on Community Affairs and Economic Developing calling for a halt to all windmill development on PEI and in particular West Prince until some strict regulations and guidelines are in place to protect the environment and people. “I just want everyone to take a drive up here and see what they have done to our community,” said Mrs Howard. “Take a drive up Route 14 and see for yourself.”

West Prince Graphic

Government must regulate wind farm development