Protect NL is not backing down in its fight to seek answers from the Newfoundland and Labrador Government on wind energy projects currently being proposed for the province, including the production of hydrogen and ammonia for export.
In two years, the group has brought attention to various issues and concerns in the province regarding the impact of proposed wind energy projects on fishing activities for slated onshore and possibly offshore projects. The group aims to make wind energy projects more transparent and accountable and address concerns like salmon farming and mining practices.
The first wave included a cross-Newfoundland name-gathering and support drive that started at Bay St.Georges and ended in Bowring Park in August 2024.
Amanda Boutcher, a fisherperson originally from Fair Haven who now lives in Little Harbour East, became involved with the first wave and hosted Protect NL members in Fair Haven in August.
She participated in last year’s protest at the Confederation Building, fighting for fish harvesters’ rights along with John Efford Jr and support from Fish, Food & Allied Workers union members.
She hopes the next wave of demonstrations by Protect NL and a signed petition will force the province to take their concerns seriously.
“We don't intend to stop until someone starts listening to us. We need to protect our land and our fisheries. I don’t blame people wanting jobs through these wind energy projects, but not at the expense of ruining the natural resources we depend on. There has to be some legislation or regulations to protect us. Right now, it's just a free-for-all for these companies.”
Wind energy companies currently in development on the island include ABO Wind, whose wind turbine project is located in the isthmus region of the Avalon Peninsula; EverWind NL Company in the Burin Peninsula; World Energy GH2 on the Port Au Port Peninsula, Exploits Valley Renewable Energy Corporation in the Botwood area.
Brenda Kitchen, whose sister Sally started the Protect NL group in 2022, said one of their concerns is their simple desire to have questions answered.
“The government is not being forced to find answers for what's happening. We have no flow of information from the government.”
Boutcher explained that the same happens during information sessions wind energy companies schedule in communities.
The ABO Wind’s Toqlukui’k Wind and Hydrogen Project aims to develop a total of 5,000 MW and to produce and export hydrogen/ammonia.
However, when Boutcher and family members attended ABO's second community meeting to ask what roads would be affected or built to gain access to construct their wind turbine, she got a response she didn’t expect.
“We got very few answers, and a half hour into the second meeting, it was shut down. She got snarky with us and said, well, we don't know which way we're going with the roads. And my Dad said, well, ma'am, I don't mean to be ignorant, but you're not going up, and you're not going down…. with that, she jumped up, shut her laptop, and kicked everybody out. And we haven't heard from them since,” said Boutcher
Kitchen said she is also concerned about the health concerns that could develop from wind turbines close to residential communities. Some of these include noise pollution, which has been known to generate low-frequency noise, which has led to sleep disturbances and stress. A condition known as shadow flicker occurs when the rotating blades of a wind turbine cast shadows that flicker across nearby homes, which can trigger headaches. Then there is the phenomenon known as vibroacoustic disease, which studies have suggested can be caused by prolonged exposure to vibrations caused by wind turbines. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea and tinnitus.
The World Health Organization has stated that wind turbines do not pose a health risk when adequately sited and managed. The big question is, are health risks created when wind turbines are not sited and managed correctly?
Bill C-49 passed this month, giving the Newfoundland and Labrador Government control over allowing wind energy companies to develop offshore wind projects. This move doesn't sit well with Botcher, whose entire family, going back a couple of generations, still makes a living from the fishery. She is concerned about how the building of these projects will destroy fish ecosystems.
Offshore wind turbines can have several effects on ocean ecosystems. Installation can disturb the seabed, alter marine habitats, and affect marine species distribution; noise from construction and operation can impact aquatic life, particularly for species that rely on sound for communication, navigation, and hunting. Changes in water mixing can disrupt natural water mixing processes, affecting nutrient distribution and light penetration.
According to Boutcher, Kitchen, and Protect NL’s 4,500 Facebook members, if they can gain enough attention to wake up Newfoundlanders to what is happening in their backyard, these are small victories to be had along the way, which is essential. A full schedule can be found here if you want to attend the rally.
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