The Ministry of the Environment has opened the 60-day commenting period for NextEra Energy’s application for a 10-turbine wind farm southwest of Arthur.
On May 11, MOE spokesperson Kate Jordan contacted the Advertiser to explain the “Conestogo Wind Energy Centre” application is now posted on the ministry’s environmental registry and is open for comments until July 11.
“We want to hear from the community and encourage residents to review and comment on the proposal,” Jordan said.
“We’ll take all public comments submitted into careful consideration as part of our review and before we make any final decisions on the proposal.”
The commenting period was previously delayed due to NextEra changes to the project layout. A public meeting about those changes was held in March at the new community hall, in Alma.
At that meeting NextEra officials touted the changes as a “net benefit” for residents, but John Krul, who lives next to one host property, summed up the meeting as, “Lots of questions and concerns, but very few answers.”
Company spokesperson Josie Hernandez has stated if the project is approved by the MOE, NextEra plans to have the Mapleton wind farm operational by the end of this year, with construction beginning in late summer or the fall.
Anyone wanting to comment can visit the MOE environmental registry at www.ebr.gov.on.ca and use the reference number 011-2606.
Those not wanting or unable to provide comments online can write to Shannon McNeill, senior project evaluator, at: the Ministry of the Environment, Operations Division, Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch, 2 St. Clair Avenue West, Floor 12A, Toronto, M4V 1L5.
Comments can also be left by phone at 416-326-6089 or (toll free) 800-461-6290, or by fax at 416-314-8452.
For more information on the NextEra proposal, including various reports filed by the company, visit CanadianWindProposals.com.
