The battle over the proposed Big Thunder Wind Park has hit the courts again. This time it’s the province facing a legal challenge.
Horizon Wind Inc. has filed a notice of application for judicial review against the Ministry of the Environment in Ontario divisional court.
Kathleen MacKenzie, the Toronto-based company’s director of community and public affairs, said the judicial review is about Horizon's renewable energy approval application for the proposed wind farm on the Nor'Wester Mountain Range. According to MacKenzie, Horizon has amended the application several times at the request of the Ministry, but it still hasn't been deemed complete.
"We are asking the court to examine whether legislative and executive action in the Ministry of Environment has been exercised reasonably," MacKenzie said, reached by phone.
Upon completion, the ministry will post the application for a period ranging from 30 to 60 days and people can comment on the REA. Once the posting period ends, the Ministry will make it's final decision on the application.
The Ministry of the Environment refused to comment on the case Monday, saying it’s before the court.
In 2010 the company sued the City of Thunder Bay for $126 million for refusing to approve turbine locations, but later dropped the suit when an agreement was reached with the municipality.
The MOE has 30 days to respond.
