The warden of the Municipality of Chester says he's relieved that a decision on the South Canoe Wind Project has finally been made. The province's regulatory board released its 85-page decision on the project Thursday morning in favour of a development agreement between the municipality and the project's proponents including Nova Scotia Power, Oxford Foods and Minas Basin Pulp and Power. In announcing its decision today, the URB says the Friends of South Canoe failed to show Chester council erred in supporting the wind power project and that the wind farm would be harmful to health. Allen Webber says they're anticipating between $10-15 million worth of benefit to local contractors to provide the groundwork. He says there are other benefits.Webber says the decision proves Chester's by-law was adequate. He doesn't expect any development to begin until after supreme court case involving Nova Scotia Power is held in November. When complete and running, the 34 wind turbines will generate enough power to heat some 32,000 homes.
