Case Study: TransCanada
Project Name and Location:
Kibby Wind Power Project
Northwestern Franklin County, Maine
Client: TransCanada
Contact:
Nick DiDomenico
(416) 869-2135
nick_didomenico@transcanada.com
Challenge:
Barton & Gingold was hired by TransCanada to develop and implement a community outreach strategy to support the permitting of a 44 turbine wind power project in the mountains north of Eustis, Maine.
Process:
We helped TransCanada develop several key relationships with stakeholders through informal meetings early in the process of defining the project. These relationships helped us to reach others in the community to explain the project and gather feedback over two years. By participating in local events and organizing informational open houses, we helped TransCanada become a welcomed new member in a close-knit community.
Result:
After several years of studies and continuous public education in the midst of other controversial wind power projects in the region, all permits were issued. The critical Land Use Regulation Commission permit was issued after several unanimous votes by the commission, which denied a nearby project during the same timeframe.
TransCanada continued to rely on Barton & Gingold to maintain local relationships and keep the public informed during the 2.5-year construction period, which began in the summer of 2008.