ARICHAT - This week's edition of TELILE 24/7, concentrating on the recent Committee of the Whole meeting of Richmond Municipal Council, features extensive discussion on the potential for the Strait of Canso to tap into wind energy as the development of renewable resources continues in Nova Scotia and across Canada. 

The topic kicks in at 2:08 with a presentation from private citizens Iaian Langley of Port Hawkesbury and Kevin MacEachern of Dundee. Langley, a veteran seafarer, and MacEachern, an advertising manager for the local radio station, recently served on a committee that looked carefully at wind power initiatives for Richmond County and the surrounding areas. Together, they suggested that the county could benefit from the development of onshore and offshore wind farms, especially as Nova Scotia tries to wean itself from coal-fired generating stations to comply with federal regulations that are due to kick in no later than January 1, 2030. 

At 25:09, two representatives from Point Tupper-based Port Hawkesbury Paper, Allan Eddy and Andrew Fedora, pick up on the wind energy topic. Having experimented with small-scale turbine development at its western Richmond County location since assuming control of the building from former owners NewPage Incorporated in 2012, Eddy suggested that PHP is ready to examine further wind-energy possibilities as it continues its priority of creating world-class super-calendar paper for global markets. 

The discussion shifts to volunteer fire departments at 40:22, as Richmond council officials discuss the possibility of charging a single fire protection rate to taxpayers across the county, as opposed to the different rates currently charged to individual communities. Following an update on a review of nearby municipalities by Richmond's Chief Financial Officer, Jason Martell, councillors agreed to seek more information on the model currently used in Pictou County before making a decision.

Also featured on this week's TELILE 24/7:

48:50 - Are Richmond County's emergency responders ready to deal with a major rainstorm like the one that battered the Cape Breton Highlands and the Sydney area on November 23, while leaving the county largely unscathed?

52:29 - Councillors make their annual presentations of $2,000 to representatives of the county's five food banks, and provide a recap of community Christmas events while reminding everyone to maintain safe social-distancing while following mask policies and proof-of-vaccination rules at these holiday gatherings.