Finavera Wind Energy Submits Environmental Assessment Application for Meikle Wind Energy Project
VANCOUVER, Aug. 16, 2011 /CNW/ - Finavera Wind Energy Inc. ("Finavera" or the "Company") (TSX-V: FVR) is pleased to announce it has submitted the Environmental Assessment Application for its 117 megawatt ("MW") Meikle Wind Energy Project in British Columbia. The Application was delivered to the Environmental Assessment Office ("EAO") and includes detailed descriptions of the project, summaries of the studies conducted to assess baseline conditions, and an extensive analysis of potential direct and cumulative impacts relating to the construction and operation of the project. The Meikle Wind Energy Project is one of the Company's four projects that were each awarded 25 year power purchase agreements from BC Hydro in March, 2010. The Meikle project, located 20 kilometres northwest of Tumbler Ridge, is the Company's largest wind project and is scheduled for construction in 2013.
"The submission of the Environmental Assessment Application for the Meikle project marks another substantial milestone for the Company," said Finavera Wind Energy President and COO Peter Leighton. "The Environmental Assessment Certificate is the key outstanding permit required for the project, and this submission ensures that the timelines for project finance, transmission interconnection, and construction can be met. The Application addresses key information on wildlife, ecosystems, First Nations consultation, and economic opportunities and is the result of several years of environmental field work and consultation."
The Project is currently in the application screening stage (maximum 30 days). If the Application is deemed to be complete, it will enter the Application Review stage (maximum 180 days). Upon review, it will be considered by the Ministers for an Environmental Assessment certificate (maximum 45 days).
The Environmental Assessment Applications for the Company's 47 MW Tumbler Ridge and 77 MW Wildmare Wind Energy Projects were submitted to the EAO on April 1st, 2011 and are currently in the Application Review stage.
Jason Bak, CEO
About Finavera Wind Energy Inc. ([ www.finavera.com ])
Finavera Wind Energy is a wind energy development company focused on developing, constructing, and operating wind farms in North America and Ireland. Our mission is to create and operate a viable renewable energy business while protecting and enhancing the physical and social environment. In British Columbia, Canada, projects totaling 301 MW have been awarded 25 year Electricity Purchase Agreements. In Ireland, the Company has signed a co-development agreement with Scottish and Southern Renewables for the 105MW Cloosh Valley Wind Project. Data collection and environmental studies have been continuing at a number of prospective sites in Canada and the United States.
Statements in this news release, other than purely historical information, including statements relating to the Company's future plans and objectives or expected results, constitute Forward-looking statements. The words "would", "will", "expected" and "estimated" or other similar words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different than those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainties related to the ability to raise sufficient capital, changes in economic conditions or financial markets, litigation, legislative or other judicial, regulatory and political competitive developments and technological or operational difficulties. Consequently, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.
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