ST. PAUL – On a frosty November morning, prior to County of St. Paul’s council meeting on Nov. 22, a group of residents gathered outside the County of St. Paul administration building, hoping to talk to council about the proposed development of the Pihew Waciy Wind farm project by Northland Power.
Chris Habiak was among the residents. He says the group aims to get the County’s attention about their concerns regarding the potential project. According to information from a GoFundMe set up by Habiak, the group is concerned with the negative impact the project might have on individuals in the immediate area, as well as the surrounding community.
According to the information, the impact includes reduced property values, the environmental impact, overall decline in tourism and appeal in the Lakeland region, and a negative impact on the health of residents.
Habiak says the group hopes to have a conversation with the County of St. Paul. “We’ve been trying to reach out to the County councillors individually, with very little response.”
“This project [Pihew Waciy Wind] is being put on by a third-party company and it’s not being pushed by the County... So, we’re confused, and we don’t understand why the County council won’t talk to us.”
According to Habiak, the County of St. Paul previously rejected the group’s formal request for a delegation, “So we are now here again, and decided to go on a non-intimidation route.”
Taking a “peaceful approach” to the situation, the residents just want to ask their municipal council questions. The group does not see the County as an enemy, but rather, “we want them to be our allies,” says Habiak.
“As the ratepayers of this County, we have the right to talk to our County council and we want to know what their thoughts and opinions are on this – but they’re refusing to speak with us,” he said.
Little information
Moments after Habiak spoke with Lakeland This Week, County of St. Paul Reeve Glen Ockerman showed up to speak with the group. When asked about County council’s position, Ockerman said there has been no formal application from Northland Power, and “we can’t touch this until there’s an application that goes forward.”
Ockerman reiterated that the County has not provided a development permit since there has been no application made.
“You guys got as much information or more information than the County does,” said Ockerman, speaking to the group.
Provincial jurisdiction
The project is currently being reviewed by Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) to assess the environmental risk of the project, according to a Nov. 22 Lakeland This Week article. Northland Power does not expect to file an application with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) before the new year.
When asked about the possibility of getting ahead of the application process and not waiting until the project gets approved by the AUC, Ockerman explained that the project is not within the municipality’s jurisdiction.
According to Ockerman, council needs to follow due process or risk the possibility of legal action against the municipality.
“We’ve got to make sure and follow the process to protect the ratepayers in the County of St. Paul.”
He reiterated the project falls under provincial jurisdiction, and if the AUC were to approve the project, the County would have no say on the matter, citing the Municipal Government Act (MGA).
According to MGA Section 619(2), an application received by a municipality, which includes development permits granted by entities like the AUC, must be approved “to the extent that it complies with the license, permit, approval,” or other authorization granted by entities like AUC.
Ockerman promised to send the group information when he has more information. Ultimately, he said the approval of the project lies with the AUC and is out of the County’s hands.
“Will we help you guys? Absolutely,” said Ockerman. “But it’s very important for me, trying to help you, to make sure you guys realize we’re not the approvers here, and we can’t do nothing with it.”
He added, “When we get involved, then we might have some open meetings and public input when we have something to deal with.”
If the project receives AUC’s approval, the County does have control over issues like roads during the construction phase to ensure “roads are held up to a standard,” said the Reeve. County bylaws will also be activated, such as the noise bylaw, so “you can’t be running a crusher all night,” for example.
Ockerman agreed with the group that the County is made up of the people within it, not the buildings or the “bricks and mortar.” So, “I’ll make sure you guys are involved when it comes to the process.”
The group hopes to meet with council as a delegation at a December council meeting.
