Brian Zinchuk is editor and owner of Pipeline Online
Since photography, videography or recordings are not allowed by the RM of Weyburn, it was time to pull out the courtroom sketch artist pencils. This was the RM of Weyburn council at the time of the vote, The empty chair was that of Chris Cugnet, who declared a conflict and did not vote. Reeve Bud Grohn is at the centre, with the dark shirt. And yes, much of the council is indeed bald. Sketch by Brian Zinchuk
WEYBURN – Enbridge’s Seven Stars Energy Project lives to carry on another day, as the RM of Weyburn passed a critical bylaw amendment on May 7 which will remove a restriction on wind turbine height.
According to the previous reeve, in 2013 the RM of Weyburn adopted a number of bylaws from the RM of Corman Park, essentially cutting and pasting. One item buried in that package of bylaws was a restriction on the heights of wind turbines to 45 metres. The 46 planned turbines for the 200 megawatt project are approximately 180 metres in height, or four times what that restriction allowed.
According to Enbridge officials, the project is valued in excess of a half billion dollars. The Seven Stars project is designed to be built in both the RMs of Weyburn and Griffin. But if one of those RMs would not allow it, the project was essentially dead. At the April 29 public hearing into the amendment, Dean Patry, senior vice president with Enbridge, told Pipeline Online, “My simple message tonight was, even though the scope of the hearing is talking about the by law and the amendment, … the reality is that the height that we’re seeking is the one that you need to basically install today’s technology, right? It’s just, it is what we need. And so if, if the community decides not to amend the bylaw, it is the turning point , for us and the community.”
Pipeline Online asked, “That means you can’t go ahead?”
“That’s exactly right, and we will respect that, if that’s the decision.”
Asked if that means they will walk, Patry said, “That means we cannot build this project without that bylaw being amended. We cannot.”
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The very vocal local opposition to the project, who have increasingly plastered both the RM and community with billboards, sought to use that restriction as a way to kill the project in its cradle. The public hearing into the bylaw held on April 29 had 127 people attend, with people speaking both for and against the project which you can read about here.
At its April 4 meeting, council hear from two delegations in opposition to the project, and received 45 letters in support of it.
With next to no discussion on May 7, the RM council approved both second and third reading of the bylaw amendment. The recorded vote in each instance was four in favour, one abstention and one against. One councillor recused himself, citing a conflict. Reeve Bud Grohn was the sole vote against the amendment.
This time there were sufficient chairs for the roughly 15 people in attendance. Even so, the three Enbridge representatives present chose to stand. In sharp contrast to the April 4 meeting when the amendment was given first reading, this time council moved the matter to close to the top of the agenda, instead of having the then-29 attendees wait for three hours and 15 minutes while the council discussed awarding a scholarship to the sole applicant and gopher control. This time, the matter was resolved by 9:30 a.m.
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Immediately after the vote, Enbridge released the following statement:
“Enbridge is pleased the RM of Weyburn has voted to revise its zoning bylaw, to allow for consideration of modern commercial wind energy projects and to align with bylaws in other Saskatchewan jurisdictions. Having a new bylaw in place is one step in a robust public evaluation process for the proposed Seven Stars Energy Project that includes development permit applications and provincial environmental review, both of which allow for significant public input and engagement.
“During our ongoing engagement with the community, there’s been growing recognition of the need for economic development and investment in the region to diversify the local economy and help create a more vibrant community. As we advance the Seven Stars Project, we will work with the RMs and City of Weyburn as well as continuing to engage in respectful dialogue with area residents with the objective of investing more than $500 million in this exciting renewable energy project.”
Minister of Crown Investments Corporation and Minister of SaskPower Jeremy Harrison emailed the following statement to Pipeline Online:
“Today’s decision by the RM of Weyburn to approve the height restriction change marks a key milestone for the Seven Stars project and for economic development in our province,” said Harrison. “Our government is committed to delivering for Saskatchewan communities by supporting major energy investments that create jobs, attract capital, and strengthen our long-term growth. This project also reflects our commitment to Indigenous economic reconciliation by encouraging partnerships that ensure Indigenous communities share in the benefits of Saskatchewan’s growth.”
Pipeline Online posted a Facebook Live video from the front steps of the RM office immediately after the matter closed. And a comment posted on that video from the Facebook account “Stop Seven Stars Wind Turbines Near Weyburn, SK” read, “Time for legal action against the RM to commence.”
That would been in keeping with what has already been taking place, with numerous complaints alleged against RM councillors as this matter has been considered in recent months.
A GoFundMe page created on April 4 “to support our ongoing legal battles, awareness campaigns, and efforts to bring the truth to light” lists $3375 raised as of the evening of May 7. It has received 11 donations to date.
It’s not over yet, though. There’s still an environmental assessment to get through and ministerial approval. However, as the minister responsible has stated support for the project numerous times in recent months and days, such approval is likely. And Enbridge and its six partners in the project – Cowessess, George Gordon, Kahkewistahaw, Pasqua and White Bear First Nations as well as Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, still need to make their final investment decision before going ahead and scratching dirt.
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