GNSF Open Letter
Dear Deputy Minister Gatien,
Open Letter Re: CBC News Story, “N.S. government to educate communities on need for wind turbines”
On April 23rd, CBC News published a story titled “N.S. government to educate communities on need for wind turbines,” wherein you, Deputy Minister of the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, conveyed to the Legislature Committee the necessity for community buy-in to meet the province’s green energy targets. It was reported that your department is in the process of designing a campaign to sway public opinion in favour of wind turbines.
You were quoted as stating, “Not everyone likes the look of them. I think they’re beautiful but not everyone does.”
If you believe that Nova Scotians’ concerns are merely superficial, centred solely on the aesthetic of wind turbines, then we, members of Green Nova Scotia First representing several Nova Scotia counties, respectfully suggest that you may be the one in need of educating.
The Nova Scotia government has been inundated with widespread public apprehension from communities across the province regarding proposed large-scale wind turbine project—most of which will be used to power hydrogen and ammonia production for export.
Recently, the Premier hosted a Town Hall meeting in Pictou County where residents voiced their concerns about Bear Head Energy’s proposed 100-wind turbine farm that will power their Point Tupper hydrogen plant. Residents articulated concerns ranging from significant decreases in property values, health risks, and documented environmental risks.
Before you proceed too far with the development of your educational campaign to convince Nova Scotians that large wind turbine projects are in their best interest, may we suggest you consider some of the following facts:
The majority of the wind turbines planned for Nova Scotia in the next five years are intended to power hydrogen production for export, rather than to help meet the Province’s 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. Experts agree that prioritizing decarbonization locally should come first before using renewable energy for export purposes.
The Province is touting “green” hydrogen as an “alternative energy for a strong economy and clean environment”. The reality is that hydrogen is a chemical,
not an energy source. It takes over five times more wind energy to produce hydrogen than it does to use that same wind energy to directly power heat pumps in Nova Scotia homes.The scale of the proposed hydrogen projects poses significant risks to Nova Scotia’s land and water resources. The technology for large-scale hydrogen production via electrolysis remains untested. Despite potential severe environmental impacts from releases and spills, the Point Tupper hydrogen plants have only been subject to less rigorous Class 1 provincial environmental assessments.
At the scale proposed, the hydrogen plants will require constant energy. Given the intermittent nature of wind as an energy source, these plants will rely on the Nova Scotia power grid, which is already near capacity and reliant on coal, for back-up power. Under EU regulations hydrogen production that uses fossil fuels for backup can not be called green.
To be economically viable, hydrogen/ammonia projects require massive taxpayer dollar support. The federal government is expected to spend over 27 billion via tax credits and infrastructure dollars towards hydrogen export projects in Nova Scotia, even though these projects have yet to secure markets for their hydrogen export. We urge reallocating these taxpayer dollars to local green energy projects.
Hydrogen/ammonia projects require huge industrial wind turbines limiting space for Nova Scotia Power’s own turbines and devastating thousands of acres of land, threatening wildlife, ecosystems, trails, recreation opportunities, tourism and economic development, natural beauty and quality of life. We urge the Nova Scotia government to do their homework and create a landscape-level plan that would provide a comprehensive strategy to manage and conserve our natural resources.
Deputy Minister Gatien, we extend an invitation to you and the Premier to attend a meeting with members of Green Nova Scotia First, a citizens’ group that wants to see Nova Scotia decarbonizing first before exporting hydrogen/ammonia produced by wind turbines. At this meeting, we would be happy to share additional concerns and expert sources on the risks associated with large wind turbine projects and hydrogen production.
Respectfully,
Margaretta Sander, Colchester County
Matheson Brook Road, Earltown, NS B0K 1V0
Dianne Powell, Cumberland County
Wentworth Station Rd, Wentworth, NS, B0M 1Z0
Jason Hurst, Pictou County
Sylvester Rd, Westville, NS B0K 2A0
Jonathan Mackenzie, Antigonish County
Highway 245, Arisaig, NS B2G 2L1
Marsha Plant, Guysborough County
Carr Rd, RR #1, Mulgrave, Nova Scotia B0E 2G0
Steven Robert Hart, West Hants County
HWY 14, Vaughan, NS B0N 2T0
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