Residents in Waterford have expressed concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving Dillon Consulting in a proposed wind farm project in their community, situated southeast of Sussex. The consulting firm is simultaneously working for both Natural Forces, the project proponent, and the Kings Regional Service Commission, which provides services for local governing bodies. Mary Ann Coleman, a former committee chair for the Waterford Local Service District, stated that community members fear the firm’s dual role may compromise the project’s approval process, leading to discontent among residents.
Construction of the initial 15 wind turbines is expected to commence in the fall. The environmental impact assessment for the project has been greenlit, and a power purchase agreement has been sealed 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 named the Paqt’smawei Sipu Wind Project, authorized to erect up to 42 wind turbines, each approximately 200 meters tall.
Tess Donohue, the project manager for Natural Forces, confirmed that Dillon Consulting has been involved in the project since 2024, having prepared the environmental impact assessment. Dillon Consulting, a Canadian firm with offices nationwide, including in Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton, has also been contracted to provide planning services for the service commission.
Despite concerns raised by residents, Donohue dismissed the notion of a conflict of interest, emphasizing that Dillon Consulting has not been working on both sides of the project. CBC News reached out to the service commission and Dillon Consulting for comments but did not receive responses. The Kings Rural District, acting as an advisory committee for the Waterford area, could not be interviewed.
The project still needs to obtain several permits and fulfill conditions before proceeding in the fall, including securing a development permit from the regional service commission. Natural Forces has submitted an application to amend Waterford’s rural plan to allow for the construction of large-scale wind turbines, subject to government regulations and specified guidelines on sound and shadow impacts. The amendment also alters the definition of a dwelling unit, potentially affecting seasonal property owners in Waterford.
The commission’s planning committee has endorsed the amendment, forwarding it to Local Government Minister Aaron Kennedy for final approval. Input on the proposed amendment is currently being sought by the commission from stakeholders and the public.