The mayor of Stephenville is feeling encouraged after a large rally in support of a proposed wind hydrogen project.

Tom Rose was one of hundreds who took part in the rally on Saturday, voicing their support for a massive development proposed by World Energy GH2 on the Port au Port Peninsula.

Rose says the overwhelming amount of support proves that this isn’t a want for the region, but in fact a need when it comes to the economic impact.

The town is anticipating the project to have the same impact as the ‘friendly invasion’ during WWII, when the Americans built the massive Ernest Harmon Airbase and the town’s population jumped from 500 to 12,000. Rose expects similar growth in the Bay St. George area once the industry is established.

The project is awaiting the green light from government, something Rose hopes to see in the very near future.

He says the environment minister had set timelines of 50-75 days for some additional assessments. Rose hopes those will be the exact dates that construction can begin.

Opposition to Project

Opponents of World Energy GH2’s proposed wind and hydrogen development on the Port au Port Peninsula say the province and federal governments need to heed warnings about the massive project.

Member of an ad hoc citizens’ committee, Duran Felix of Cape St. George says they’re very worried about the impact the project will have on the Port au Port Peninsula and the sensitive Codroy Valley.

Council of Canadians spokesperson Helen Forsey says a recent high-profile meeting between the Prime Minister and EU leaders in St. John’s only raised more alarm bells for members of the group.

Meanwhile Enviro Watch NL says it “listened with alarm” to comments from Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan who they say appeared to dismiss the provincial environmental assessment review as mere red tape.

The proposal is calling for 320 massive wind turbines to be erected on the Port au Port Peninsula and Codroy Valley .