A Different Point of View
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Brayden Smith flies through the air as he does a flip off the diving board at the swimming pool on the afternoon of Thursday, July 22. The dark skies above Smith didn’t produce any thunder or lightning (which meant he and his friends could continue swimming) until late that night. ©Provost News Photo.
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Up to 72 Wind Turbines Could be Seen Here Next Year
If all goes to plan for Windlab Developments Canada Ltd. (Windlab), wind turbines will be built between Provost and Chauvin in 2011.
Windlab, an international company with Canadian offices in Calgary, could build and operate as many as 72 wind turbines on an area of land that straddles the M.D of Provost and M.D. of Wainwright boundary. The proposed wind energy cluster named the Bull Creek Wind Project is approximately 20 km northeast of Provost and 15 km south of Chauvin.
Representatives from Windlab, including a wildlife biologist, project manager, noise engineer, mechanical engineer and wind engineer, were in Provost on Tuesday, July 20 at the Recreation and Culture Centre where they were available for the public to discuss the project with. This is one of two open houses Windlab is hosting.
“Everything, to our knowledge, has been positive feedback,” said project manager for the wind farm, Kip Clancy. “Open houses give the chance for the community to voice their concerns, mandated by the AUC (Alberta Utilities Commission). All concerns have to be addressed to comply with the AUC.”
The current status of the project is Windlab coming up with a specific layout (physical locations of the turbines) for their wind farm, which will then be taken back to the landowners, and if landowners give them the green light a final application is submitted to the AUC. It typically takes about six months for an application to be approved by the AUC.
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Windlab has been in consultation with residents from the start, said Marc Geestman who rents an acreage in the proposed wind farm area. “They seem to involve the community more (than some oil and gas companies that have been on the land he rents) and invite input.”
Geestman went on to say he’s “concerned about noise levels but these guys seem to be well-regulated.”
When asked about noise concerns Clancy said that many projects that see those complaints were done decades ago and didn’t have the research they have today. “We can plan a much better project. And we have to be compliant.” Clancy did say that this is a legitimate concern and that’s why they’re in Provost to discuss this, among other concerns.
If Windlab gets final approval, Clancy said residents can expect some work to come their way in terms of concrete for the base of the turbines as well as electrical work. “We plan to keep that in the community.”
Complete story and photo in July 28 edition of The Provost News.
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Baby Adds New Dimension to Cross-Canada Canoe Trip
Story and photo in July 28 edition of The Provost News.
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Provost Ball Teams Strike Gold
Complete story and photos in July 28 edition of The Provost News.
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Street Spokesman
This week we ask: "What Big Rodeo do you Dream of Competing in?"
. . . and we heard answers from Jordan Hansen, Shay Marks, Valerie Frey and Justin Hodgson. Check out the July 21 edition of The Provost News for their answers.
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This, along with many other stories and pictures can be found in this week's edition of The Provost News.
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