Amendments to the Atlantic Accord Act, Bill C-49, passed this week, creating the regulatory process for the development of offshore wind in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The revisions have been a long time coming and finalize an agreement signed by the provincial government last year ensuring that the province have a hand in the development of offshore wind energy.
Federal Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says both Ottawa and the provinces will be part of the environmental assessment process.
He also underlined the importance of developing offshore wind without impeding the commercial fishery.
“This basically puts in place the regulatory process,” says Wilkinson, “but there are regional assessments, one of which is underway right now, and then individual project assessments that look at potential environmental impacts.” That, says Wilkinson, will help to determine where offshore wind development will be most appropriate, and “areas perhaps where they will not be.”