Nova Scotia municipality plans changes to wind turbine regulations
By Nancy Rubin & Colton Smith
Wind turbine regulations in the Municipality of Cumberland are set to change.
On June 22, 2022, Cumberland Council approved a second reading of amendments relating to their wind turbine regulations. The Municipality of Cumberland’s Memo to Council highlights the following key takeaways from these amendments:
- The addition of a large area in Wentworth to the Restricted Overlay;
- Increasing separation distance from large turbines to dwellings from 600 metres to 1,000 metres;
- Approval of turbines over 100kw by Development Agreement;
- Decommission Bonds of 125% of removal costs less salvage;
- The addition of a timeline for malfunctioning turbines to be repaired or decommissioned;
- Refined definitions of turbines by capacity;
- Defined domestic turbines as having a capacity under 15kw; and
- Slightly relaxed requirements for domestic turbines.
These changes follow a Council resolution on December 22, 2021, directing staff to initiate a review of the wind turbine provisions of the Municipal Planning Strategy and the Land Use By-Law. The amendment process involved two community engagement periods in which feedback was received from residents of the Municipality of Cumberland, as well as a Public Hearing on June 15, 2022. More information on the amendments, the final documents, maps and next steps can be found here.
These changes provide clarity for wind proponents in Cumberland County hoping to be selected in the ongoing RFP for renewable electricity.
This client update is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have any questions about the above, please contact a member of our Energy group.
Click here to subscribe to Stewart McKelvey Thought Leadership.
Archive
By Perlene Morrison, K.C., Hilary Newman & Curtis Doyle Once again, the time has come to review the year that was and to chart the course for the year ahead. For municipalities and planning professionals…
Read MoreBy Dave Randell, John Samms & Jayna Green A recent Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (“GNL”) announcement affirms the Province’s swift and ambitious approach to offshore wind development. While it may come as a shock…
Read MoreBy Sadira Jan, Dave Randell, Graham Haynes & Tyler Callahan On November 30, 2023, the Federal Government tabled Bill C-59, entitled An Act to implement certain provisions of the fall economic statement tabled in Parliament…
Read MoreBy Brendan Sheridan The Government of Canada has continued their whirlwind year of immigration program announcements by revealing their plan to modernize and improve the country’s immigration system. This plan, known as “An Immigration System…
Read MoreBy Christine Pound, ICD.D, Rebecca Saturley, & Daniel Roth Canada’s anti-modern slavery legislation comes into force on January 1, 2024. To prepare for the first reporting deadline on May 31, 2024, organizations need to determine…
Read MoreBy Brian Johnston, K.C. and Richard Jordan On November 9, 2023, Minister of Labour, Seamus O’Regan, introduced Bill C-58 in the House of Commons to amend the Canada Labour Code to prohibit the use of…
Read MoreBy Kevin Landry & Eryka Gregory The Retail Payment Activities Regulations (“Regulations”) under the Retail Payment Activities Act (“RPAA”) were finalized and published in the Canada Gazette Part II on November 23, 2023. The RPAA was…
Read MoreBy Level Chan When proclaimed in force, the Nova Scotia Private Sector Pension Plan Transfer Act (the “Transfer Act”) enacted by Bill 339, Financial Measures (Fall 2023) Act will allow the transfer of private sector…
Read MoreBy Kevin Landry On November 9 2023, Bill C-365, An Act respecting the implementation of a consumer-led banking system for Canadians (“C-365”), short titled as the ‘Consumer-led Banking Act’ was read in the House of…
Read MoreBy Jennifer Taylor The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal (“NSCA”) has issued an important decision clarifying the test to disallow a limitations defence. The decision, Halifax (Regional Municipality) v Carvery (“Carvery”), has real implications for personal…
Read More