NORTH STORMONT — Local wind power opposition group Concerned Citizens of North Stormont got a face-to-face with two ministers hoping for a reprieve, but there wasn’t one to be had.
Spokesperson Margaret Benke, along with five other members of the group, met with Energy Minister Greg Rickford and Environmental Minister Rod Phillips in December, pleading their case for the government to intervene against 33 wind turbines to be built in their area.
But Rickford was clear that since the project had hit its developmental milestones, it was too far along for the government to cancel without special consideration.
The Ford government cancelled over 700 renewable energy contracts last year. But they were overwhelmingly solar power projects, and were all projects that had failed to hit their milestones.
The group’s Environmental Review Tribunal hearing finally came to a verdict, with the tribunal ruling against them on Jan. 5.
With 30 days to weigh their options, Benke said the group plans to continue the fight but will have to decide what avenue to pursue.
