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OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, April 15, 2009 · 4 Gas-fired power plant raises air pollution concerns Continued from page 1 Chapin. "I'm not sure what a gas-fired power plant would add to that, but I'm worried it would not be good." In response to these worries, the Town has taken steps to prevent the power plant from taking root in Oakville until bylaws are in place to regulate it. Late last month Town Council passed a motion calling on staff to undertake a study into the Town's existing policies regarding power generating facilities. Under this motion, staff were also directed to recommend any updates such policies might need. "No one had envisioned Oakville being the location for a power plant of this size," said Chapin. "That's one reason why we said, `Hey, wait a minute.' The proponents of this project have identified this location, but we don't know that that would Garden Workshops with Marsha · 7 different one-day workshops · Each limited to 15 people · Book early to reserve your space! MarshaMiddleton.ca 905 331-7809 LESS THAN LEVEL BAR AN D G R ILL For all your sports and entertainment needs. be a really good location. We need to study what the potential effects are concerning pollution, noise, vibration and whatever else; and set some guidelines as to how and where we might accommodate such an industry." Another motion passed by council that night set up an interim control bylaw, which forbids the building or expansion of any power generating plant, with a capacity greater than 10 megawatts, until the town's study is complete. Chapin noted an interim control bylaw of this sort can be held in place for one year, but requires the province's approval beyond that. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton supported this bylaw, but did not discount the possibility of a power plant being established somewhere in Oakville. "After Mississauga's council did exactly the same study for their municipality, they chose the Southdown industrial area as appropriate for power plants," said Burton. "I expect that there might be (such an area in Oakville). I couldn't say where it would be, but common sense would suggest you would keep the noise and the pollution of a power plant away from residential areas." While deciding whether the 1500 Royal Windsor site is an appropriate place for a power plant may be within the Town's influence, the three other locations being considered for the power plant are not. At the moment, all of TransCanada's competitors are examining sites just across the Mississauga border. If Invenergy Canada Development is successful in its bid, it will create the Avon Energy Centre at 445 Hazelhurst Rd. 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We'll be more greatly affected by these plants in south Mississauga because the pollutants will be covering our air. The prevailing winds are coming over our area," said Ron Fiorelli, president of Joshua Creek Ratepayers Inc. "Two coal-fired plants are closing down, one in Lakeview and one in Nanticoke, and if these gasfired plants are so clean and healthy why can't they go there?" Fiorelli also received little comfort from assurances that any power plant emissions will meet Ministry of the Environment standards. "When the St. Lawrence Cement Plant went in, it met all the environmental standards, but our neighbourhood was covered in cement dust for months and years. The Ford plant put in a paint facility and the fumes blanketed the area for a long period of time," said Fiorelli. "Do I have to live through years and years of fighting stuff like this again? No industry is going to do things the right way from the start. The community is going to have to get active again and it really wears you down." The nearby North-East Oakville Residents' Association did not have a strong opinion about the proposed Oakville power plant one way or the other, but noted TransCanada had addressed some of their concerns. "From a safety point of view, they noted that there wouldn't be on site gas storage. I'd like to ask some follow-up questions as to whether they have a system to disengage the gas supply in the event of a train derailment," said Michael Hawkins, chair of the association. "In terms of transmission, from an aesthetic point of view, to the existing power grid, they said there is a power substation near there, so they wouldn't need to build any transmission lines, which is a positive." Hawkins also noted that during this meeting, TransCanada officials reiterated that the building of this plant in Oakville would create 600 construction jobs as well as 25 full-time jobs once the plant was operation. Those who attended the meeting said TransCanada also pointed out that since the power plant was coming to the area anyway, it was better it was built in Oakville so the town would receive the benefits of the jobs, an annual property tax payment of $1 million and a development charge payment of $1 million. While Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn had very strong opinions about the proposed Oakville plant, he has been forced to keep them to himself following a ruling by the province's integrity commissioner. "I'm trying to get my mind around that because obviously I want to represent my constituents, but at the same time the integrity commissioner says I'd be breaking the law," said Flynn. The problem, Flynn noted, is that because he works for the Minister of the Environment, he cannot be seen advocating for or against the power plant as this would affect the perception of any decision the ministry came to regarding the power plant. It would not be seen as fair, said Flynn. A decision on who gets to build the power plant is now expected for August with the plant itself expected to be operational by late December 2013.