The Minister for Industry, Energy and Technology is responding to some concerns raised about the parcels of land being considered for wind development.
Last week, the province released maps of land being considered. There are several very large areas highlighted on the map, including almost the entire Burin Peninsula.
That has led to concerns from some about the sheer amount of land that could be up for development, citing natural beauty and the preservation of wild areas.
(Areas of interest, western and eastern.)
Minister Andrew Parsons says the map is a compilation of all the areas that businesses have identified as potential areas, but he doesn’t think for a second that all of what’s identified in the maps will be up for bids.
He says there’s no business sense in using all of that land, noting that their job now is to put out something that’s as all-encompassing as possible. He notes that in most cases the businesses have gone out into the communities themselves to do consultations and let people know their intentions.
The Minister of Environment and Climate Change says they’ve reviewed areas that house endangered species and protected land to ensure that they will not be affected by any of the wind developments.
Minister Bernard Davis agrees that the concerns being heard are valid, and he hopes to hear about them during public consultations.
The Department of Industry, Energy, and Technology is hosting consultation sessions today and tomorrow, however, Davis says there will be more opportunities for consultation in the future on the environmental side.
He says there’s an opportunity for people to make their thoughts known when the proponent comes in with the registration documents, when they come in with draft guidelines, and after hearing the proponent’s answer to those guidelines.
The sessions are taking place from 12 to 1:30 p.m. today and Tuesday, Those wishing to participate are asked to register online.
