Ratepayers from the R.M. of Weyburn packed McKenna Hall Tuesday night for a public hearing on a proposed bylaw amendment that would remove height restrictions for domestic wind energy systems and require developers to include proposed heights in future applications.
The bylaw change was requested by Enbridge, and it is tied to the Seven Stars Wind Energy Project. The project has drawn strong support and opposition in the R.M. since it was first announced last year.
The meeting was opened by Reeve Bud Grohn, with one councillor recusing themselves from the meeting due to conflict-of-interest rules. Those in attendance were informed there could be no audio or video recording, and that photography would not be permitted. It was also stressed that the hearing would be focusing on the bylaw itself, not the broader pros and cons of the wind energy project.
The R.M.’s development officer, Candace Nixon, outlined the scope of the bylaw, noting no decisions would be made that evening. The purpose of the hearing would be to gather information and community input that would then be used to help the council decide on what to do with the bylaw itself.
As the applicant for the bylaw amendment, Enbridge was given the first opportunity to speak.
Alex McNichol, Director of Power Development Canada with Enbridge, explained that the RM’s current height restriction of 45 metres is not compatible with any commercial wind energy systems. By comparison, he said, turbines at the Golden South Wind Energy Project near Assiniboia are 187.5 metres tall, those at the Bekevar project near Kipling are 175 metres. The proposed Seven Stars turbines would be 179 metres, roughly in the middle of the two projects. He also noted that the R.M. of Weyburn currently has the largest turbine setback distances in Canada, 1.5 kilometres from non-host properties and 1 kilometre from host sites.
Dean Patry, Senior Vice President of Power at Enbridge, told the crowd that while the company understands not everyone will support the project, they are committed to listening to the community. He emphasized that if the bylaw is not amended, Enbridge will respect the decision and take its planned $500 million investment elsewhere.
Rose McInnes, a resident of the RM, was the first member of the public to speak. She stated she was speaking on behalf of all ratepayers who would be affected by the construction of the turbines. She also pointed out that previously, a petition signed by 50 ratepayers opposed to the bylaw change had been presented to the council. McInnes argued that any increase in turbine height should be matched with proportionally greater setbacks, citing the dramatic scale of proposed turbines compared to other buildings in the province. McInnes noted that at 179 metres, the proposed turbines would be more than twice the height of Saskatchewan’s tallest building, the 88-metre Nutrien Tower in Saskatoon.
Don Bourassa echoed concerns about passing the bylaw amendment, stating that Enbridge had acquired the project knowing the current bylaw restrictions. He cited previous comments by Enbridge that they would follow the existing rules, and now they were calling for the rules to be changed. He also called for a review of setback distances should the height limit be lifted.
Faith McDonald sought clarification on the wording of the proposed bylaw and asked how many letters had been submitted in opposition. She was told that the information would be made available at a later date.
Dale Mainil, a lifelong oil and gas worker and R.M. ratepayer, voiced support for the amendment, saying all forms of energy have their trade-offs.
“There are windmills around the world, so why not here?” he asked. He also warned that rejecting the bylaw could discourage other businesses from investing in the R.M.
Monia Osborn, Executive Director of Weyburn Regional Economic Development, also supported the change. She said the amendment would restore decision-making power to local landowners and enable them to take advantage of federal programs and incentives for small-scale wind development. “The benefits could be felt by everyone in the R.M.,” she said.
The hearing concluded with Enbridge’s Dean Patry thanking the public for attending and reiterating that the final decision lies with the R.M. of Weyburn council.
“I think the night went well,” McNichol said after the meeting. “We gave our message of why we think the height should be amended, and really that’s the only change that we’re seeking as far as the bylaw goes.”
McNichol also spoke on the comments made by Patry that Enbridge would follow along with the community’s wishes if the bylaw amendment isn’t passed.
“We’ll respect the decision,” McNichol stated. “I think what we’ve done here is to try and address as many of the concerns, and work with the supporters. We’ve had lots of businesses reaching out about how they can be involved and how they can support the projects. We're trying to strike the right balance between that, but at the end of the day, there’s no turbines that are 45 metres tall. So, if that’s where this goes, then I think we’re going to respect that decision and look to invest elsewhere.”
Grohn was asked for his thoughts on how the hearing went, but declined to make any comments on the matter at the time.
No timeline was provided for when a vote on the bylaw amendment would take place.