Presenter urges council to support solar farm by airport

Town of Hanna
Written by ECA Review

The company proposing a solar farm in the Town of Hanna thinks it’s a great idea, but town council, after hearing a lengthy presentation by the company, apparently disagreed as council unanimously approved a letter of non-support for the project.

Claude Mindorff, Director of Development for Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) Canada, spent an hour and 20 minutes promoting the Harvest Sky solar farm proposal to Hanna council at their regular meeting Dec.12.

Mindorff sought to alleviate all known concerns regarding the proposal, including public notification and hearings, an updated layout after listening to a pilot group’s safety concerns, a farm plan for the solar array and a decommissioning strategy in case the solar farm fails.

A strategy for fire and safety, dust prevention during construction and garbage collection was presented, as was a property value impact assessment for neighbouring properties.

Couns. Sandra Murphy, Angie Warwick and Sandra Beaudoin pointed to several inaccuracies in the presentation and weaknesses in the public consultation process, including the door-to-door survey of properties across the lake from the proposed project where less than five per cent answered the door. Also to a public hearing scheduled at the library when the list of registrants filled up quickly until a larger venue was chosen, but with many thinking they could not attend because they were not registered.

Mindorff reported that the solar array poses no pilot safety concerns including zero yellow glare.

Coun. Kyle Olsen iterated concerns about glint and glare from solar arrays, particularly at “uncontrolled aerodromes” like the Hanna airport, expressing certainty that no solar array adjacent to an airport of this scale exists anywhere in North America, so the effect of a solar array on air traffic is unknown.

Mindorff’s claim on a PowerPoint slide that “PACE has engaged Hanna’s fire chief and deputy fire chief who have reviewed and approved our draft emergency response plan” was challenged by Hanna’s Deputy Fire Chief Brent Olesen who said that neither he, nor the fire chief, nor the Special Areas Board fire chief had been consulted regarding an emergency response plan to date.

It was noted in the presentation that the Harvest Sky solar farm project can proceed only if the Alberta Government decides to allow new solar and wind projects, following its moratorium and review of renewable energy projects springing up all over Alberta.

Applications for such projects continue, but whether or not these applications proceed or what restrictions may or not be put in place, depends on what the provincial government decides.

Letter of non-support
Later in the meeting, council discussed a solar project letter of non-support drafted by CAO Kim Neill at the direction of council.

Council tweaked the letter with minor changes which Mayor Danny Povaschuk will sign and send to PACE regarding non-support of the Harvest Sky solar farm proposal.

Other business
The 2024 operating budget is still in process, with CAO Neill requesting the 2023 budget become the 2024 operating budget until the 2024 budget can be finalized, hopefully by the January council meeting.

At the request of Starland County, council will send a letter of support for the Morrin Corner Business Park. Discussion by council concluded Hanna needs to support business development in the region.

Grants
Coun. Baldwin moved that council approve the recommendations of the Canadian Services Board to award the 2023 Canadian Services Grant of $3,000 as follows: $500 to the Hanna Library; $1,000 to Hanna Lacrosse; $750 to Hanna Playschool, and $750 amount to the Hanna Dance Association.

Administration has applied to Canada Summer Jobs for a grant to provide two students with summer jobs at the Hanna tourist information booth.

Lane Koster
ECA Review

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