[PUGWASH, NS] — The Gulf Shore’s most famous part-time resident has again waded into the debate over a proposed wind farm in the Pugwash area.
Anne Murray has written Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter asking him to stop the project that could see Atlantic Wind Power erect up to 12 turbines near the Irishtown Road.
“I am very concerned that this proposal to install wind turbines in Pugwash is rushing ahead, even though there are very real environmental and economic issues that the community will face,” Murray said. “Pugwash is a community that is just thriving. If you put an industrial wind farm there, and that’s what this is, it’s all going to stop. It would take away the very reason why people are attracted to the region in the first place.”
Murray said the project could give all wind projects a black eye and said Pugwash’s tourism industry “is not compatible with wind turbines.”
She told Dexter the wind project would lead to a drop in property values.
“I am very much in favour of alternative sources of power, but I also believe that people, location and the environment must be carefully considered when planning these things,” Murray said.
Murray opposed a similar project in 2007.
Last week, company president Charles Demond said the latest project is both smaller in size and farther from the shoreline and cottages. Demond was not available for comment on Tuesday.
