Over 250 people took part in a public consultation over the draft regulatory framework guiding possible wind energy development in the MRC de Beauharnois-Salaberry on April 29.
MRC prefect Miguel Lemieux, who is also the mayor of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, opened the meeting by acknowledging the regional government had moved quickly to review its regulations pertaining to the installation of wind turbines within its territory. The draft bylaw identifies the areas within the MRC where it would technically be feasible to install turbines, while establishing minimum distances and other guidelines for their development.
Lemieux explained that as the level of social acceptability was not the same across all seven of the municipalities in the MRC, the draft framework will allow those facing less public opposition to move forward with projects. The MRC also wanted to establish a clear framework that identified areas where such development would be compatible and where it would not, in order to curtail some of the uncertainty for both citizens and promoters.
“We have concluded 92 per cent of the territory is excluded from the bylaw,” said Lemieux. He then insisted that “Just because a project complies with the regulation does not mean that a municipality is required to accept it. If the municipal council determines that there is no social acceptability, they may refuse it.”
Once adopted at the regional level, the municipalities may also adopt more restrictive standards within their own territories.
These assurances were not enough to sway those in opposition, including Stéphane Gendron, the former mayor of Huntingdon and a Dundee resident, who questioned the power of municipalities in the face of developers while arguing for clearer definitions of social acceptability.
Several other citizens spoke out, including farmers who argued in favour of preserving farmland. Other comments questioned aspects of the regulatory framework, concerns over noise and health impacts, the responsibilities of project developers, and the potential impacts of turbines on property assessments.
Lemieux pointed out that the MRC is not considering any projects at the moment. He acknowledged that some of the municipalities may be inclined to approve a project, “But each will be able to make its own choice in the end.”