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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, April 1, 2010 · 8 Staff say more research needed on impact of power plant Continued from page 1 Middletown, Connecticut on Feb. 7, 2010 has raised new concerns with the public for the safety of such a plant in Oakville. Further analysis of emergency measures is required that is beyond the original mandate of the consultants," said Diane Childs, manager of long range planning, in a report presented to council. "Further, the minimum distance separation from sensitive land uses to large-scale power generating facilities remains an outstanding issue that requires additional analysis. The report indicates there are a number of studies currently being produced that may provide assistance in the determination of a minimum distance separation. " Childs also said further research should be done on the different types of technology used in power generation with particular reference to cogeneration facilities. Additional research on the potential safety, health, infrastructure and environmental effects a power generation facility would have on the community was also recommended. TransCanada, the company that is hoping to build and operate the proposed Oakville Generating Station, is not impressed and announced Tuesday it is taking steps to undo the bylaw through legal action. "It's unfortunate that Council decided to delay for another year. We would like to bring our clean, safe, reliable energy to the area as soon as we can. So we will ask the Ontario Superior Court of Justice if the interim control bylaw should remain in place or if the site's long-standing industrial zoning should apply. We have suggested June 24 as a date for this hearing and await the court's response," said Chris Breen, TransCanada spokesperson. "Our site has always been zoned industrial. Council suspended that zoning when we told them we were developing a clean natural gas power plant to replace the old coal plants. Waiting another year is not fair or reasonable to the millions of Ontarians who want cleaner energy and cleaner air. We value all the communities we operate in across North America. The Town told the Ontario Municipal Board that it would "I think we all understand the need for adequate and reliable power sources for all of our citizens, but we have to be sure that we are protecting out citizens from the impacts of power generation." Ward 6 Councillor Tom Adams L complete its study by the end of March. We accepted this timeframe, but it has lapsed. Now it is time to move ahead for the good of everyone who shares the same air and wants it improved. We remain completely focused on improving the energy supply and air quality in the Oakville area." The study completed to date, which was put together by Butler Group Consultants Inc., Keir Corp. and Steven Rowe, Environmental Planner, provides considerable information on existing and proposed natural gasfired generation plants, energy planning in Ontario, power generating technologies and the potential effects of building a gas-fired power plant. Under the potential effects heading, the study dealt with air quality and the potential for Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 to be produced, possible fogging, possible icing, potential noise and vibration. One section even points out that gas-fired power plants can have safety implications for aircraft, which can be damaged by the turbulence and high levels of water vapour that come from the plumes a power plant creates. In addition to asking for time for further research, Town staff say they need time to bring this information to the residents of Oakville through a series of public consultations. Childs said an open house on the subject will be held on April 28 from 2-9 p.m. and series of facilitated workshops are scheduled for May 18, 20 and 31 from 7-9 p.m. After members of the public have had an opportunity to comment on the land use study, staff will make recommendations to council concerning where a power plant, like the one proposed for 1500 Royal Windsor Dr., would PUBLIC NOTICE The HST is coming. Plan now and save. Under the pending Harmonized Sales Tax, the government will demand you pay an additional 8% for cemetery and funeral services. Pre-arrange now to avoid paying hundreds of dollars in extra tax. Plan now - Save 8% HST 905-257-1100 Call today to find out more. best be located. "I think we all understand the need for adequate and reliable power sources for all of our citizens, but we also need to be sure that we are protecting our citizens from the impacts of power generation," said Ward 6 Councillor Tom Adams, before voting to extend the bylaw. "If this is going to be within our community we need to ensure that we are dealing with the direct impacts on the community with regard to safety issues. We've talked about the issue of minimum separation distances, emergency response, the need to look at different types of technology, there are simple nuisance issues that have come up like noise and certainly this council, more than any in Ontario has dealt with the issue of air quality. We need to make sure that we are protecting our citizens by examining these issues as they come forward." Ward 4 Councillor Allan Elgar said council would not be doing anything out of the ordinary by extending the bylaw for another year as the Town's Planning Act gives them the right to do so. He said the extension should be made because public consultation is important and no proper public consultations had been done on this issue up to this point. Ward 1 Councillor Alan Johnston said the decision to extend the bylaw is significant because what is at stake is the health of Oakville's residents. "The decision we make for this power plant will last forever and it is not going to go away once the decision is made," he said. "The threats of TransCanada should not deter us from taking the time we need to make the right decision." TransCanada first appealed the interim control bylaw to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) last October. The energy giant argued the bylaw was brought in at the last minute to restrict development rights and interfere with the Ontario Power Authority's mandate of securing a power generation site. The Town argued the bylaw represented responsible planning as Town legislation was out of date with regard to where power plants could be accommodated in Oakville. In the end, the OMB agreed and upheld the bylaw. TransCanada is currently appealing this OMB decision to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.