Piikani Wind Project

November 3, 2026 – Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have determined that the proposed Piikani Wind Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. 

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors: 

• impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples; 

• Indigenous knowledge; 

• community knowledge; 

• comments received from the public; and 

• technically and economically feasible mitigation measures. 

Mitigation measures taken into account for this determination include but are not limited to: 

• Reducing project footprint to the extent feasible; 

• Siting of project components to reduce impacts to wildlife, including birds and bats, following ECCC's Wind Turbines and Birds: A Guidance Document for Environmental Assessment, and avoidance of sensitive environmental features including minimizing direct impacts to wetlands and the application of project buffers to wetlands; 

• Implementing best management practices regarding soil and landscape conservation; 

• Implementation of project design considerations to mitigate impacts to wildlife including: 

  • Use of tubular towers to prevent perching and nesting by birds, 

  • Synchronization of aeronautical obstruction lights, 

  • Guywire markers,  

  • Installation of below ground collection lines; 

• Proponent will schedule construction in sensitive wildlife habitat outside of breeding and nesting periods (April 1 to Aug15) to the extent feasible and follow Alberta Environment and Protected Areas wildlife setbacks;  

• Implementation of the following plans: 

  • Erosion and Sediment Control Plans, 

  • Spill Prevention Plan, 

  • Emergency Response Plan, 

  • Waste Management Plan, 

  • Construction and Environmental Monitoring Plan, and 

  • Decommissioning Plan; 

• Implement a Post Construction Monitoring and Mitigation Plan incorporating ECCC's Wind Turbines and Birds: A Guidance Document for Environmental Assessment, ECCC's Recommended Protocols for Monitoring Impacts of Wind Turbines on Birds, and established industry mitigations and monitoring for bat species at risk;  

• Inclusion of community-based and traditional knowledge provided by Piikani Nation Lands Management and Piikani Nation Consultation Office during the Environmental Assessment, and will follow the Piikani Nation Water Bylaw for the management of any impacts on wetlands and watercourses; and 

• Inclusion of Indigenous monitors during and post-construction, following Piikani Nation Protocol as applicable.  

Therefore, ISC and ECCC may carry out the project, exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be carried out in whole or in part.