Residents in Waterford are expressing worries about a potential conflict of interest linked to a consulting firm engaged in a proposed wind farm project in their community southeast of Sussex. The concern arises from Dillon Consulting’s involvement with both Natural Forces, the project initiator, and the Kings Regional Service Commission, responsible for delivering services on behalf of local governing bodies.
Mary Ann Coleman, a former committee chair in the Waterford Local Service District, highlighted that community members fear the firm’s dual role may compromise the project approval process’s integrity. Coleman expressed widespread dismay within the community, emphasizing the dissatisfaction with the situation involving a company facing a significant conflict of interest.
The construction of the initial 15 wind turbines could commence as early as autumn, following the approval of the project’s environmental impact assessment and the signing of a power purchase agreement with N.B. Power. Natural Forces, in collaboration with Indian Island First Nation and Mi’gmaq United Investment Network, owns a stake in the project, known as the Paqt’smawei Sipu Wind Project, which has the green light to erect up to 42 wind turbines standing approximately 200 meters tall.
Tess Donohue, the project manager for the wind farm at Natural Forces, revealed that Dillon Consulting has been actively involved in the project since 2024, having prepared the environmental impact assessment. Despite concerns raised by residents, Donohue defended the firm’s involvement, citing its previous successful collaborations with Natural Forces.
Efforts to obtain comments from the service commission and Dillon Consulting were unsuccessful, as both entities did not respond to interview requests. The Kings Rural District, serving as the elected representation for the Waterford area, also proved unresponsive to CBC News inquiries.
The project faces several remaining permit requirements and conditions to fulfill before the anticipated fall construction timeline. Notably, securing a development permit from the regional service commission remains a crucial step for the project. The amendment of Waterford’s rural plan, seeking to enable the construction of large-scale wind turbines in rural zones, is also pending approval from the commission.
With the amendment potentially reshaping regulations concerning wind turbine construction, concerns have been raised about its impact on seasonal property owners in the area. Coleman, involved in the development of the rural plan, expressed concerns about the exclusion of seasonal property owners from the definition of dwelling units, emphasizing potential challenges for the recreational rural area of Waterford.
Donohue clarified that excluding seasonal properties from setback requirements is a common practice in wind farm projects, citing lower setback requirements for properties used seasonally due to concerns like ice throw, shadow, and noise. The planning committee of the commission endorsed the amendment with a 6-0 vote in May, forwarding the recommendation to Local Government Minister Aaron Kennedy for the final decision, while seeking public input on the proposed amendment.
