Opponents question the new minister’s quick approval for 34 turbines through a densely forested area near Juniper
The new Liberal government’s quick approval of J.D. Irving, Limited’s large wind farm project in northern Carleton County doesn’t sit well with the project’s opponents.
A document dated Nov. 5, 2024, approved JDI to begin Phase 1 of the Brighton Mountain Wind Farm project, which would see the erection of as many as 34 turbines near Juniper. Phase 2, which still requires provincial approval, could add an additional 24 turbines between Juniper and Cloverdale.
Jean Arnold, a long-time resident of Knowlesville, a rural community near the planned wind farm site, said New Brunswick Environment and Climate Change Minister Gilles LaPage ignored her and her neighbours’ concerns.
“This EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) was accepted by the new Liberal Minister of Environment within a couple of days of his taking up office,” said Arnold.
She said the project had strong pushback from opponents, who raised numerous controversies and expressed heightened concern about the project’s impact on the old-growth forest and wildlife.
“How could the new minister have had time to review, learn, understand and fully appraise and analyze what he was signing? Clearly he could not,” said Arnold.
The minister’s acceptance of the EIA report for Phase 1 of the JDI project permits the company to begin erecting up to 34 turbines immediately, with the requirement that the project start within five years.
The project’s first phase, at an estimated cost of $550 million, will deliver a capacity of up to 200 megawatts of power.
JDI officials previously announced plans to begin the project in 2025 if approved. The second phase of 24 turbines and a capacity of 150 megawatts still requires approval.
JDI confirmed it plans to move forward with the project as soon as possible.
“Now that the project has been approved, we are looking forward to working with stakeholders and the local community to make the project a reality and, in doing so, help New Brunswick achieve its long-term renewable energy goals,” JDI spokesperson Anne McInerney told the CBC late last year.
Arnold and other opponents question how the local community will benefit from the mega energy project.
“There are zero community benefits for the two municipalities — Hartland and Carleton North — that are the jurisdictional authorities in the planned area of operation,” she said. “Who are the benefits for?”
While JDI plans to sell the power to NB Power, the company and the New Brunswick utility must complete a purchasing agreement.
Arnold noted the lack of a purchasing agreement and other unanswered questions in response to the EIA’s approval and acceptance by the minister.
“There is currently no power agreement with NB Power, no storage facility,” she said. “Where will the generated power go? To whom?
While long-time supporters of renewable energy, Arnold said she and other residents of the area stress that the development of renewable energy doesn’t benefit the public if it comes with significant environmental damage.
Arnold said the company, the department, and the minister ignored or dismissed the many environmental concerns raised during the EIA public process, which she deemed a “farce.”
Those concerns included long-term impacts on wildlife, old-growth forests, wetlands and the critical watershed in the area.
“I can say that our concerns have been brushed off, responses childish and unprofessional,” said Arnold. “Such as when asking about the effects on bird migration, we have been told that bird mortality tests can be done once the turbine site is operational!”
Guidelines accompanying the EIA approval included provisions to halt construction upon the discovery of nesting migratory birds and specific guidelines for construction near wetlands.
The approval guidelines also require JDI to conduct post-construction bird and bat studies to submit to the federal and provincial governments,
Arnold also complained the EIA process failed to properly notify area residents and did not include any direct communications with First Nations. While JDI notes the land involved in the project is industrial freehold, the guidelines call for a construction halt upon discovering any archeological remains.
The EIA process’s only public hearing occurred on Aug. 8, 2024, in Juniper. Arnold and dozens of other project opponents made their voices heard to several JDI representatives, including JDI Vice President of Energy Dion Handrahan, Senior Project Manager Calvin Rice, Director of Environmental Affairs Renee Morais, and Director of Sustainability and Indigenous Affairs Andrew Willett.
Ian Walker of Hatch Consultants, who provided the company with data and expertise, joined the JDI officials in defending the wind farm project.
