Business & Finance
Business and Finance
Business and Finance
Tue, August 11, 2009 NaiKun Wind Energy Group Inc.: NaiKun Wind Releases Results From EA Public Comment Period-Validating Strong Support for the Pro
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Aug. 11, 2009) - NaiKun Wind Energy Group Inc. (TSX VENTURE:NKW) released today a summary of responses to comments received during the 45-day public comment period for the harmonized federal-provincial environmental assessment (EA) review of its proposed offshore wind energy project in Hecate Strait.
"This has been an incredibly valuable process," said Susan Bruckner, Director Community Relations. "We see it as a very constructive means to identify outstanding questions so that we can refine the project as appropriate during the remainder of the EA review."
More than 75 people attended the three open houses held in local communities during the 45-day comment period and the BC Environmental Assessment Office received a total of 56 written comments.
In accordance with EAO requirements, NaiKun Wind has responded to comments received and has also prepared a summary report, which compiles key themes from the written comments, open houses and stakeholder group meetings. Both documents are available on the EAO website ([ www.eao.gov.bc.ca ]).
"Equally encouraging was the significant number of comments of strong support we received," said Bruckner. "Submissions indicating support were the most frequent theme, which is consistent with the feedback we've received from local communities since we began discussing the project with them in 2002."
Other frequently occurring themes included marine aquatic ecology (including crabs), environmental assessment methodology, project scope/design and socio-economic.
In the coming months, NaiKun Wind will continue to work with regulatory agencies, First Nations and local communities to further develop the project's environmental management system and adaptive management plans, develop commercial fisheries access management plans, begin initiating long term environmental monitoring studies, and advance the career training and employment program, as well as continue to work with the Haida Nation during its concurrent review of the project.
"We're confident that the ultimate design of the project will be one that benefits from the valuable input and support we received, so that it can proceed in a manner that respects the environment and the interests of local communities, and begins delivering clean, renewable, made-in-B.C. energy by 2104," concluded Bruckner.
NaiKun Wind Energy Group Inc. is a British Columbia-based renewable energy company. The first phase of its project will generate enough energy to provide electricity to 130,000 B.C. homes, help the province reach its goal of becoming electricity self-sufficient by 2016, and play a significant role in combating climate change. The project will also create an estimated 200 jobs during construction and 50 permanent jobs for maintenance and operations.
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
