The Rural Municipality of Weyburn has officially lifted its 45-metre height limit on wind turbines, a move that clears a path for the proposed Seven Stars Energy Project by Enbridge.
The change, which removes a 45-metre restriction on all residential turbines in the RM and instead requires the proposed heights of any turbines to be part of the development permit application, was initiated at Enbridge's request as they begin the regulatory process for the Seven Stars Energy project. The amendment passed the first reading in April, and a public hearing was then held on April 29th, where rate payers were given the opportunity to speak about the proposed amendment.
During the council meeting Wednesday morning, the council voted and passed the bylaw amendment for its second and third reading, removing the restriction on the wind turbine heights. Four of the councillors voted in favour of the bylaw amendment, with one councillor abstaining from the vote, and one recusing themselves from the vote due to a conflict of interest. The lone vote in opposition to the amendment was cast by Reeve Bud Grohn.
Discover Weyburn has reached out to Grohn for comment.
With the amendment now passed, Enbridge, developer of the Seven Stars Energy Project, is preparing for the next phase.
“Enbridge is pleased the RM of Weyburn has voted to revise its zoning bylaw, to allow for consideration of modern commercial wind energy projects and to align with bylaws in other Saskatchewan jurisdictions,” said Alex McNichol, Director of Power Business Development with Enbridge, in a written statement. “Having a new bylaw in place is one step in a robust public evaluation process for the proposed Seven Stars Energy Project that includes development permit applications and provincial environmental review, both of which allow for significant public input and engagement.”
The Seven Stars Energy Project is a proposed 200-megawatt wind energy project that would be located in the RM of Weyburn and the RM of Griffin. To date, there have been numerous supporters for the project that have stepped forward, including the city of Weyburn, the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce, and the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.
Some residents and ratepayers in the RM have voiced opposition to the project, raising concerns about potential health effects on people and animals, decreased land values, and impacts on emergency services such as STARS Air Ambulance.