Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Environment Supports EverWind's Green Hydrogen and Ammonia Project
- 30-Oct-2024 3:10 PM
- Journalist: Xiang Hong
On October 25, 2024, EverWind Fuels received an important communication from the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Environment and Climate Change regarding its recently submitted Environmental Assessment Registration. This letter indicates that the project is progressing to the next phase, requiring EverWind to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), a step that the company had already proposed in its registration. This decision reinforces EverWind's commitment to upholding high standards of environmental and community stewardship throughout the project lifecycle.
The forthcoming EIS will comprehensively assess the potential environmental, social, and economic impacts of the project, identifying necessary mitigation measures where applicable. The study will encompass various critical aspects, including:
1. Project scope
2. Greenhouse gas emissions
3. Waste management plans
4. Erosion and sediment control measures
5. Effluent streams and outfall locations
6. Noise, shadow flicker, and solar glare
7. Project location and components
8. Flora and fauna studies
9. Occupational information
10. Potential impacts on provincial roads and bridges
While the EIS is being conducted, EverWind is also focused on gathering and analyzing critical wind data in collaboration with wind turbine original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). This analysis aims to design a turbine specifically suited for the unique wind conditions in Newfoundland. Concurrently, EverWind plans to develop a layout for the Lower Burin Peninsula wind project site and explore solutions that minimize the need for substantial interconnections to the provincial grid.
Furthermore, EverWind is actively collaborating with the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, and the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture to reduce the size of its Crown Land reservation area. The goal is to cut the reservation by more than half to better reflect the project's actual requirements while aligning with the community’s recreational and conservation values.
As part of the Environmental Assessment process, EverWind is committed to ongoing engagement with communities in the Burin Peninsula. The company has conducted over 50 information sessions since 2022, fostering a dialogue with local residents. Additionally, EverWind is dedicated to collaborating with Indigenous communities, ensuring thorough consultation and meaningful partnership throughout the project’s development.
EverWind's regional office, located at 215-217 Ville Marie Drive in Marystown, welcomes community members to visit, share their insights, and learn more about the project. The office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and Fridays by appointment only.
Trent Vichie, Founder and CEO of EverWind Fuels, emphasized the company’s commitment to working alongside the Burin Peninsula residents and all levels of government, highlighting the project’s potential for economic benefits and job creation. Harold Murphy, Mayor of Parker's Cove and Vice Chair of the Burin Peninsula Energy Board, echoed this sentiment, stating that the project builds on the region's industrial legacy, positioning Newfoundland as a leader in the green energy and fuels sector.