Residents in Waterford are expressing concerns regarding a potential conflict of interest involving a consulting firm engaged in a proposed wind farm project in their community southeast of Sussex. The residents are worried about Dillon Consulting, which is working for both Natural Forces, the project proponent, and the Kings Regional Service Commission, responsible for delivering services for local governing bodies.
Mary Ann Coleman, a former committee chair for the Waterford Local Service District, emphasized that the dual role of Dillon Consulting raises doubts about the integrity of the project’s approval process. She stated that community members are appalled and angry about dealing with a company facing a significant conflict of interest.
Construction of the initial 15 wind turbines may commence in the fall, as the project’s environmental impact assessment has been greenlit, and a power purchase agreement has been finalized with N.B. Power. Natural Forces, in partnership with Indian Island First Nation and Mi’gmaq United Investment Network, is the co-owner of the project, known as the Paqt’smawei Sipu Wind Project, with approval to erect up to 42 wind turbines standing around 200 meters tall.
Tess Donohue, the project manager for the wind farm at Natural Forces, mentioned that Dillon Consulting has been involved in the project since 2024 and prepared the environmental impact assessment. Dillon Consulting, a Canadian firm with offices nationwide, including in Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton, is contracted to provide planning services for the service commission.
Donohue defended the arrangement, stating that she does not perceive any conflict of interest from their perspective. Despite repeated interview requests, both the service commission and Dillon Consulting did not respond to inquiries from CBC News.
The project still requires a few permits and must meet specific conditions before proceeding in the fall. One of the final requirements is securing a development permit from the regional service commission. Natural Forces has applied to amend Waterford’s rural plan through the commission to enable the construction of large-scale wind turbines in rural zones.
The amendment aims to permit projects with turbines exceeding three megawatts, subject to government regulations, sound guidelines, and specific conditions such as maintaining a minimum distance of 1,000 meters from dwelling units and 500 meters from public roads. The rural plan currently covers regulations for small and medium turbines below three megawatts.
Coleman, who participated in developing the rural plan, highlighted that it was crafted through public consultations and focused on preserving Waterford’s character, aesthetics, and rural lifestyle. She expressed concerns about the new definition of a dwelling unit, fearing that seasonal property owners might lose their classification as dwelling units.
Donohue explained that excluding seasonal properties from setback requirements is common in wind farm projects due to reduced occupancy periods. The commission’s planning committee has supported the amendment with a 6-0 vote, forwarding it to Local Government Minister Aaron Kennedy for final approval. The commission is soliciting feedback on the proposed amendment from the public.
Overall, the Waterford community remains vigilant about the potential conflict of interest and its implications on the wind farm project’s approval process.