BluEarth Renewables Inc.'s request to move the completion date of the Hand Hills Wind Project near Delia to 2018 was approved by Alberta Utilities Commission on May 13, 2014.

The Hand Hills Wind Project by BluEarth Renewables Inc. has its project deadline extended to 2018 by the Alberta Utilities Commission.

    In its February 2014 BluEarth Newsletter, the company states:
    “One of the main reasons for the delay is the transmission infrastructure, which we require to put the power on the grid, is not completed.”
    “ATCO Electric has made an application to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) for the interconnection of the Hand Hills Wind Project”.
    “BluEarth also requires Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to sell the power generated by the facility before we can proceed with construction.”
    Information on BluEarth’s website said ATCO’s application is currently on hold, stating:
    “...their application is currently being held in abeyance by the AUC pending the outcome of a separate proceeding dealing with overall transmission constraints and rights within the Province of Alberta.”
    “BluEarth asked for an extension to our construction time frame for the Hand Hills project because of the uncertainty about the duration of the abeyance.”
    The project would stretch over 7,500 acres of land near Delia, containing 34 wind turbines.
    BluEarth estimates each turbine would produce 25 megawatts of electricity, which would be enough to meet the energy needs to power 1,000 homes in Alberta.

    The Drumheller Rotary Club has narrowed down its list of nominations for Celebration of Excellence and is proud to announce it has two finalists each for Citizen of The Year and the Most Courteous Employee of the year award.
    The finalists for Most Courteous Employee (in alphabetical order) are Margaret Molyneux and Sasi Sivamayam.
    Margaret (Pinky) Molyneux has been a long-term employee with the RCMP office in Drumheller, working extensively with the officers and the public. Throughout her tenure, she has maintained her cool and sense of humour through thick and thin.
    Sasi Sivamayam has been described as a jack-of-all-trades at Freson Bros., and regardless of how busy he is, he is willing to help customers in a most courteous and friendly way.
    The finalists for Citizen of the year are Linda Digby and Cathy Morse.
    Digby has always been in the forefront of tourism in the Drumheller valley especially East Coulee. She was a key figure in the organization of the East Coulee Spring Festival and a strong supporter of the East Coulee School Museum. As General Manager of the Atlas Coal Mine, she made a huge contribution to tourism in the valley and ensured the recognition and continuation of the Mine as a Heritage site.
    Cathy Morse, owner of the Chop Shop has been involved for many years in cancer related projects and is the founder of Cuts for Cancer in the valley, which has raised thousands of dollars for the Drumheller Area Health Foundation.
    The winners of these awards will be announced at the Rotary’s Celebration of Excellence coming up on Wednesday, June 4 at the Badlands Community Facility. This event includes a delicious roast beef dinner and entertainment by the Wayfaring Fiddlers.