Jacques Whitford report

Last year Jacques Whitford released a report they have compiled for Halifax regional Municipality (HRM) who is planning great things in renewable energy. Keeping in mind that this report was requested and paid for by HRM, it is the most balanced report on wind energy I have seen thus far.

One could argue, for example, that their desired decibel levels are too high (using Ontario's guidelines which are considerably higher than those recommended by World Health Organization), but on the whole it is inclusive and fair.

If you are looking for general information about wind energy and it's implications as far as environment and local land use etc, it is well worth the read. Its over a hundred pages, but there's something in there for everyone.

I have heard that the HRM meetings have not been well attended, suggesting that perhaps HRM residents are not fully aware of HRM's "Master Plan".

The Jacques Whitford report can be found for download at http://www.halifax.ca/regionalplanning/HRMwindenergy.html. There are separate downloads to look at their maps and figures.

Suitability of a site was determined by looking at three factors; wind energy, land use and construction considerations.

Wind Energy

• Wind Speed Data

Land Use Considerations

• Airport Approach Routes

• Environmentally Protected Lands

• Parklands

• Proximity to Archaeological Sites

• Proximity to Bird Nesting Sites

• Proximity to Buildings

• Potential Habitat

Construction Considerations

• Construction Hazards

• Proximity to Roads

• Proximity to Utility Transmission Lines

• Surficial Geology

A points system was used for each factor, numbers crunched and maps produced using different colours for "highly suitable" (green), "caution area" (amber), "least suitable" (red) and "prohibited' or 'NO GO" (black). The more suitable a site for any given factor, the higher it scored. Poor sites get low or negative scores. For example:

Any land within 300m of a building is "NO GO". From 300m to 1km land gets a low negative number (red) and at 1km it becomes neutral (ie: land only starts to become suitable at 1km setback).

Any site within 1km of a bird nesting site is "NO GO" and lands 1 to 1.5km from the site was given a low negative number (red).

Potential wind energy impacts discussed were:

Visual (siting, colour, lights, height, spacing and concentration within an area etc), shadow flicker, blade throw, ice throw, noise, electromagnetic interference, fire, oil spills, tower collapse, erosion, traffic, human safety, birds (sensory disturbance, flight behaviour, mortality) and bats.

Municipal regulations are compared. Federal and provincial environmental assessment processes are reviewed. Other governmental departments who may become involved are listed. The pros and cons of having determined setback values included in land use bylaws (as has just happened in Cumberland County) is summarized in Table 4.14

TABLE 4.14 Strengths and Challenges of Variance Application Process

Strengths

Permitting wind turbines to develop as-of-right in particular zones provides certainty to developers. Approvals can be obtained within a relatively short period of time.

Challenges

This is a more generic approach that can exclude areas from development which on a case-by-case basis may be suitable for wind turbines/farms. Alternatively, it can allow wind turbine development in areas that some residents may perceive as being unsuitable. When allowing wind turbines to develop as-of-right it is difficult to articulate quantitative regulations that will adequately apply to all situations and manage the visual and other impacts of wind energy development projects. It can be extremely difficult to establish regulations regarding structures, given the pace of change of recent technology. Fixed regulations based on today’s technology can suddenly become redundant and potentially burden the further development of wind energy. No public input process enabled.

Variances, easements and development agreements are also discussed. There is a discussion on small wind turbines. Financial funding opportunities are summarized.