Residents in Waterford have expressed concerns over a potential conflict of interest involving a consulting firm engaged in a proposed wind farm project in their community southeast of Sussex. The issue revolves around Dillon Consulting, which is serving both Natural Forces, the project proponent, and the Kings Regional Service Commission, responsible for providing services on behalf of local governing bodies.
Mary Ann Coleman, a former committee chair for the Waterford Local Service District, emphasized that community members are troubled by the firm’s dual role, fearing that it compromises the integrity of the project’s approval process. Coleman stated, “Oh, everybody’s appalled. Everybody’s very angry that we’re in this situation where we’re dealing with a company that is in a complete conflict of interest.”
The construction of the initial 15 wind turbines could commence in the fall, as the project’s environmental impact assessment has been greenlit, and a power purchase agreement has been inked with N.B. Power. Natural Forces, in collaboration with Indian Island First Nation and Mi’gmaq United Investment Network, is a partial owner of the venture known as the Paqt’smawei Sipu Wind Project. The project has the green light to erect up to 42 wind turbines, each standing around 200 meters tall.
Tess Donohue, the project manager for Natural Forces, highlighted that Dillon Consulting has been actively involved in the project since 2024, having prepared the environmental impact assessment. Dillon Consulting, a Canadian planning and consulting firm with a national presence, including offices in Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton, has been contracted to provide planning services for the service commission as well.
Donohue defended the firm’s dual role, asserting that she sees no conflict from their perspective. She stated, “So I really don’t think that there is, at least from our perspective, kind of any conflict. They haven’t been working on both sides, I would say.” Despite interview requests made by CBC News to the service commission and Dillon Consulting going unanswered, concerns persist among residents about the impartiality of the project’s approval process.
Natural Forces is seeking approval for amendments to Waterford’s rural plan to allow large-scale wind turbines, with the potential to exceed three megawatts, in rural use zones. These turbines will need to adhere to government regulations, as well as sound and shadow guidelines, with construction subject to various conditions, including a minimum distance of 1,000 meters from dwelling units and 500 meters from public roads.
The amendment also includes a change in the dwelling unit definition, specifying that a unit must be utilized on a year-round basis. This alteration raises worries for Coleman, who fears that seasonal property owners may no longer be classified as dwelling units, given Waterford’s recreational nature. However, Donohue explained that excluding seasonal properties from setback requirements is a common practice in wind farm projects, as their intermittent occupancy reduces certain risks associated with residential setbacks.
Following a 6-0 vote in support of the amendment by the commission’s planning committee in May, the proposal is now under consideration by Local Government Minister Aaron Kennedy for final approval. The commission is soliciting feedback on the proposed amendment from the public to ensure a comprehensive decision-making process.