Amherst, N.S., mayor responds on wind farms after premier's comments

7/20/2012

AMHERST, N.S. - The mayor of Amherst says he wants wind turbines in the region to be set back further than 600 metres.

Mayor Robert Small says in an email he wants Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter to help determine how far away from homes wind turbines should be.

Small's comments come a day after Dexter said he was surprised to get a letter from Amherst's town council asking for a delay on the development of wind turbines because he thought Small was on board with such projects.

Small says he still supports wind farm development, but he's concerned one of the potential projects is too close to homes and he wanted to relay the concerns of residents to the premier.

In its letter, Amherst town council asked for a delay on wind turbine announcements until Health Canada's study on the effects of wind turbines on human health could be completed.

Dexter says he won't delay the projects because there isn't evidence linking wind turbines to health problems.

(Canadian Press)