Nova Scotia municipalities now have some model guidelines to follow when dealing with proposals to construct wind farms in their communities.

The Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities released the model wind bylaws Friday to help municipalities establish rules around where wind turbines can be erected.

And that's good news for such elected representatives as Colchester County Coun. Doug Cooke who believes the municipality should begin drafting its own bylaws as soon as possible, in light of the growing number of wind farm projects being proposed.

"It's a good first step to get this thing in motion," he said. "I think personally they are a sign of the times and they're what has to be."

That municipality came out with its own wind turbine bylaws last fall.

Cooke believes that with a proposal in the works to establish some 66 wind turbines on Higgin's Mountain (in the Wentworth area) it doesn't make sense, when common land is concerned, for one municipality to have laws in place while the other does not.

"I think it's urgent that we get on the same page as Cumberland (County)," Cooke said.

Nova Scotia Power is currently considering numerous wind farm proposals, including a project that would see up 22 turbines erected in Nuttby. But as Cooke and other councillors pointed out this week during a Colchester County council meeting, municipalities have to also be prepared to deal with individual turbines that residents may wish to erect on their own properties to save energy costs.

The UNSM guidelines point out that each municipality is unique and that model wind bylaws can be tailored to suit their own needs. The model guidelines are based on both national and international best practices taken from across Canada, USA, and Europe to create wind turbine zoning and bylaws that fit their individual communities.
"Setting rules around where wind turbines go in the ground is really up to municipalities," said Robert Wrye, president of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities.

"Each municipality is unique, and one-size may not fit all," he said. "The model wind bylaws released today can serve as starting points for good local policy, and municipalities can tailor them to suit the needs of their community."

Nova Scotia's regulations demand that nearly 20 per cent of the province's electricity supply come from renewable sources by 2013. Currently, 89 per cent of Nova Scotia's electricity comes from fossil fuels, accounting for more than 40 per cent of the province's greenhouse gas emissions and wind farms are viewed as one of the best ways for meeting provincial objectives.

"To reach that deadline, we must move away from coal-based electricity and look to cleaner sources like wind," said Acting Energy Minister Bill Dooks.

The best practice guidelines were developed as a joint initiative between the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities and the provincial government. They are available at www.unsm.ca .

Turbine facts

Municipalities have the authority to require minimum setbacks between wind projects and other buildings. The UNSM guidelines will help create responsible setbacks. Ultimately, wind energy projects must conform to the unique zoning bylaws established by each municipality.

The provincial government also protects the well being of Nova Scotians through a mandatory environmental assessment for all wind projects over two megawatts. Through the assessment process, technical experts consider issues such as:
• number and placement of turbines,
• impacts on wildlife and local landscape, and
• sound levels and other potential impacts for local residences.

All wind projects built in Nova Scotia must meet the requirements of both municipal and provincial governments.