According to an analysis by BRC-Canada, dozens of municipalities in Alberta collectively received more than $28-million from wind and solar projects in 2022.Cardston County covers a big swath of rolling Alberta grasslands nestled between the Rocky Mountains and the city of Lethbridge, extending south to the Canada-U.S. border. Its local government had been banking on a major new renewable-energy project spinning out tax revenue to support its budget. No more.
Riplinger would have been located within a 35-kilometre buffer zone that Ms. Smith’s government announced on Feb. 28 would be off-limits to wind, an area of so-called pristine viewscapes. Those are among restrictions that the province established after a seven-month freeze on new renewable-energy projects.
Mr. Bullock acknowledges wind development is a touchy subject in his county. Many residents were opposed to the TransAlta project, and he said he understands the passion of those who want to preserve traditional rural vistas. “But we’re trying to run a municipality, stay afloat and have the necessary money to provide better services,” he said.
Alberta Utilities Minister Nathan Neudorf sticks by the changes, and said in an e-mailed statement that they are beneficial to local communities. Investors are cautious, especially institutions such as pension funds, said Thomas Timmins, a lawyer with Gowling WLG who leads his firm’s energy-sector group.