Intermediate Control Regulation No. 01-2024 has been in effect since July 2024, after being unanimously adopted by the Mayors Council a month ago. Under the resolution, the MRC of Lisleet is interested in installing wind turbines on its land and several promoters will study the possibility of starting the project. It raises the fact that the current planning and development plan and the municipalities’ city planning regulations do not contain any guidance regarding the installation of wind turbines or a wind farm. The MRC recognizes that the supervision of these infrastructures is important, as they can have an impact on the landscape and the quality of life of residents and wildlife.
“The Mayors Council is aware of the concerns that the installation of commercial wind turbines may cause concern to residents. The adoption of this regulation specifically aims to control their installation, in particular by identifying areas where they cannot be installed in order to preserve the nature of the living environments of our communities. The Lillet Migrant Resource Center considers the installation of wind turbines a very interesting economic opportunity for the region, in addition to encouraging the creation of clean and renewable energy,” says Mayor Normand Caron.
According to information from the Migrant Resource Centre of L'Eslette, a project was presented in 2023 for the installation of five wind turbines in Saint-Cyril-de-Lissard. However, it was not selected by Hydro-Québec. At the moment, there are no other projects in the works, but the Migrant Resource Centre wants to be ready to receive proposals from promoters.
Areas where it will be impossible to install wind turbines will be identified to prevent their construction or the construction of associated infrastructure near or within sectors considered “sensitive”. These include urban areas, places of environmental interest, holiday areas and landscapes of regional importance. The L'Islet MRC also imposes minimum distances to be respected from roads, waterways and homes.
The territory of several municipalities is targeted by a total ban, namely L'Islet, Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, Saint-Roch-des-Aulnaies, Saint-Aubert and another part of the sectors of Saint-Louise, Saint-Damase-de-Lilt and Saint-Cyril-de-Léssard.
According to the decision taken by the Council of Mayors, this is the second version of this framework regulation because the first one did not comply with the directives of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. This new version also takes into account the recommendations of the Public Health Department of Chaudière-Appalaches, which aim to ensure that the noise level does not exceed 45 decibels during the day and 40 decibels at night.
The MRC de L'Islet must incorporate the provisions of this regulation into its planning and development plan. Municipalities will then have to add it to their urban planning regulations. A public consultation will then be organised and residents will be able to comment on the proposed regulatory map. This is currently displayed on the MRC de L'Islet website.
