Industrial wind turbines. (Quinte News File Photo)
A wind proponent planning to construct nine turbines in Prince Edward County says residents can expect to see mobilization of equipment to the project site soon.
In an email to Quinte News, WPD spokesman Kevin Surette said “potential clearing activities and some internal access road construction (on private land) will begin over the next couple of weeks.” He did not provide an exact date.
There has been much divisiveness recently between the County and WPD as the municipality denied a Road Users Agreement with WPD White Pines stating the necessary entrance and building permits weren’t in place. Our newsroom has reached out to the Commissioner of Engineering, Development and Works Robert McAuley to confirm whether or not WPD has filed the necessary applications. Surette is also looking into the application status after being pressed by Quinte News.
This comes as South Marysburgh Councillor Steve Ferguson is planning another Milford town hall meeting. Monday night.
On Thursday, Prince Edward Hastings MPP Todd Smith questioned the project construction moving ahead.
During question period, MPP Smith said he wasn’t sure why the province would let the project move forward after downsizing the scope of the once 27 turbine contract.
Minister of Economic Development Brad Duguid responded that the province has prioritized environmental protection as part of its renewable project consideration and amended the system significantly over the years to accommodate as much as possible.
He added the Conservatives will go to any length to discredit anything the Liberals have done to reform the province’s energy system and remove it from coal to cleaner sources of power.
The Milford town hall meeting runs from 7 p.m to 9 p.m.
