During the week of June 24, 2024, EverWind is holding a series of 'public meetings' across the peninsula that they are required to hold as outlined in Part 2 (see below) of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Assessment Process. The proponent should have prepared a detailed environmental assessment report (EAR) outlining the project, potential impacts, and mitigation measures.
Request a copy of EverWind's Environmental Assessment Report (EAR).
Four Levels of the Environmental Assessment Process:
The environmental assessment is a public process. Documents prepared by proponents (registrations, (EPRs), (EISs)) are made available to the public for review and comment. Decisions by the Minister are announced publicly, within timelines set in the regulations.
Registration of all undertakings listed in the regulations (45 day review)
Public Consultations (35 days for public comments) & Screening (determine if further assessment is needed)
Environmental Preview Report (EPR)
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
At the end of the 45 day review of the registration, the Minister shall make one of three
determinations and inform the proponent:
Release or Reject the Environmental Assessment
Environmental Preview Report (EPR) during which time the Minister shall appoint a governmental assessment committee to give advice and prepare guidelines for the EPR.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) during which the Minister shall provide guidelines to the proponent.
Part 2 of the Environmental Assessment Process
Environmental Assessment Timeline Chart
Public Notice: Notices are published in local media and on government websites.
Community Rights: Residents can access the EAR, attend public hearings to provide comments and ask questions, and submit written submissions.
Comment Period: Residents can voice their concerns, ask questions and expect direct factual information.
Submit Your Concerns: Contact Joanne Sweeney Director, Environmental Assessment Division, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Municipalities Tel: (709) 729-0673, Email: joannesweeney@gov.nl.ca and EverWind at info@everwindfuels.com to express your concerns.
Session Attendance: Plan in advance to attend a session. Ask you employer for time off, it's only 1.5 hours which I'm sure can be made up elsewhere during your work week. If that is not possible or you live/work out of province, coordinate with a friend or family member to attend on your behalf. I'd also suggest your record the setup and write down any questions on a piece of paper or mobile device along with any and all answers provided.
Your Rights
As a community member you should know and understand the entire environmental assessment process for these large industrial-scale mega project due to the following reasons:
1. Informed Decision-Making
Awareness: Knowledge of the environmental assessment process ensures that the community is aware of potential environmental, social, health, national security and economic impacts.
Engagement: An informed community can engage more effectively in consultations and decision-making processes that can impact the outcomes of these projects.
2. Protection of Health and Environment
Health Risks: Understanding the process helps the community identify potential health risks, such as air and water pollution, dangers of hydrogen-ammonia production, storage, transportation and shipping and advocate for necessary safeguards.
Environmental Conservation: It empowers the community to advocate for the protection of local ecosystems, protected habitats, park lands and biodiversity.
3. Economic and Social Impacts
Economic Considerations: Insight into potential economic impacts such as property values, both positive (a few jobs with most going to temporary foreign workers) and negative (displacement of existing industries such as the fishery and tourism), allows for better planning and response.
Social Fabric: Knowledge helps the community anticipate and mitigate social impacts, such as changes in lifestyle, access to fishing, hunting, foraging, recreational grounds, cultural heritage, and community cohesion.
4. Legal and Regulatory Framework
Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding the legal framework ensures that the community knows its rights and the responsibilities of the project proponents.
Expired Legislation: Based on my research, the Wind Energy Land Reserve Order under the Lands Act expired on December 12, 2023 and wasn't renewed until early June 2024. Which means, approvals for the EIS on the west coast and the EA to EverWind on the Burin Peninsula can be challenged in court because the order had expired. However, the cost of legal challenges are high and we need funding.
Regulatory Compliance: It helps the community ensure that the project complies with all relevant environmental laws and regulations. When examining the province's Environmental Protection Act, it's clear to see that this project does more harm to the environment and ecosystems in Newfoundland and provides NO benefits to the people or the province from an environmentally green standpoint.
Bills C-49 and 69 are unconstitutional: Bill C-69, the new federal Impact Assessment Act, which was legally challenged by the Province of Alberta, was ruled over 96% unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada in November 2023. Bill C-49, an act to amend the Atlantic Accord, which was written solely to allow for offshore wind farms in Newfoundland's coastlines, contains over 30 elements from Bill C-69 that have still not been fixed as ordered by the Supreme Court of Canada and is open to litigation on that premise alone.
5. Transparency and Accountability
Transparency: An informed community can demand transparency in the assessment process and project implementation. Know Your Rights!
Accountability: Knowledge allows the community to hold project proponents and government authorities accountable for environmental and social performance. Take a stand and demand to be heard! Hold those in power accountable!
6. Risk Management
Risk Identification: The community can identify and assess potential risks associated with the project.
Harmful Impacts: Use my list of harmful impacts of wind energy in Newfoundland when highlighting risks to the project proponents and government authorities.
Mitigation Strategies: Understanding the process helps the community contribute to the development and monitoring of mitigation strategies.
7. Long-Term Sustainability
Sustainable Development: Knowledge of the assessment process supports advocacy for sustainable development practices that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship and social well-being should the projects move forward.
End of Life Plan: A project end-of-life plan is crucial for mega wind energy hydrogen ammonia projects because it ensures sustainable and responsible decommissioning of the project. Key reasons include 1) Environmental Protection, 2) Resources Recovery, 3) Community Impact, and 4) Regulatory Compliance.
Future Generations: It ensures that the needs of future generations are considered and protected by adhering to all of the above considerations.
8. Empowerment and Advocacy
Empowerment: An informed community is better equipped to advocate for its interests and negotiate with project proponents and government authorities.
Collective Action: Knowledge fosters collective action and community solidarity in addressing these projects and their harmful impacts.
9. Adaptation and Resilience
Adaptive Capacity: Understanding the potential impacts and mitigation measures enhances the community’s ability to adapt to changes and increase resilience to protect the interests of local residents and future generations.
Preparedness: It prepares the community for potential disruptions and helps in developing contingency plans to protect communities across the peninsula and the island.
10. Ethical and Moral Considerations
Ethical Engagement: Knowledge ensures that the community can engage ethically and effectively in the decision-making process, respecting the rights and voices of all stakeholders. Demand your rights and make your voices count!
Moral Responsibility: It supports the community’s moral responsibility to protect its environment and quality of life for current and future generations.
11. Appeal Process
All of the above factors and considerations will likely be ignored as it was on the west coast of Newfoundland.
Get Prepared: Be prepared to protest, write letters to all the departments who are part of the decision-making process to ensure your opinion and voice matter.
Compose Questions: Keep a list of any questions you have and include them in your letters to ministers and authorities during the decision making process.
Write Letters: Use the emails, names and departments provided to send off letters of your concerns and complaints against these proposed wind energy projects.
Submit An Appeal: When the time comes for the EIS, because Bernard Davis will likely give his rubber stamp approval, start now to organize your thoughts, complaints and feedback on the project to date. Express your concerns and demand to be heard.
Understanding the environmental assessment process empowers the community and you as a local resident to participate actively, protect its interests, and ensure that development projects are conducted in a responsible, transparent, and sustainable manner.
To learn more about the definitions and terms of the proposed wind energy projects on the peninsula, visit our Glossary of Terms page.
Thank you for writing and sharing with us.