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3 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, July 30, 2009 PHOTOS BY LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER SENDING A MESSAGE: From left, Danielle and Caitlin Durbin hold up a sign urging officials to Stop the Power Plant while Harry Kattis sends his own message and Peggy Lawrence signs a petition in order to convey her opinion. More than 1,000 are estimated to have attended the rally at the Chisholm Education Centre and more than 700 names were collected on the petition. Oakville residents fired up over power plans Continued from page 1 scheduled to award a contract to one of four companies that have bid to build and operate a gas-fired power plant in the southwest GTA. A successful bid by TransCanada Corporation would see a 900megawatt generating station -- capable of supplying enough energy for 360,000 homes -- built on Ford-owned property at 1500 Royal Windsor Dr. Scheduled to be in operation by the end of 2013, it would be located about 400 metres away from a residential area. The other three companies are seeking to build plants just across the Mississauga border. However, speakers at the rally made it clear they aren't simply arguing against constructing a plant in Oakville, but against seeing one built anywhere in the already-overpolluted Clarkson Airshed. A 2006 study by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) found that the airshed was "taxed or compromised" and contained elevated levels of particulate matter in the air. "I fail to be convinced that we need this power plant," Halton MPP Ted Chudleigh told the rally. "I'd like to see the government build power plants in airsheds that aren't overtaxed. I'd like to see the government build power plants in areas where people aren't." Chudleigh summed up the main arguments being marshalled against the plan to locate a plant in the Oakville-Mississauga area. Opponents are arguing the economic downturn, along with conservation efforts, have made it unnecessary to build new generating facilities. However, if they are built, they add, they should be built in places like Nanticoke, where plans to close a coal-fired generating plant have led local politicians to welcome a replacement natural gas facility. Chudleigh and other politicians had a tough act to follow when the rally was kicked off by former Toronto Argonaut football star Michael "Pinball" Clemons. Clemons, who led the crowd in clapping and chants of "Clean Air," told the audience that his wife suf- LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER EN MASSE: Guest speakers at the Oakville rally Tuesday against a gas-fired power plant proposed to be built in east Oakville or across the border in Mississauga drew large numbers despite the summer holiday season. fers from respiratory problems as a result of living across the street from a chemical facility when she was a child. "Too many times in our community, we don't take the opportunity to stand together, so seeing you all here tonight is a beautiful sight," he added. "We need to stand for what is right, and what is right is to live in a clean air environment where our kids can grow up healthy, happy and safely." The rally also heard from Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr, who noted that Halton regional council has unanimously opposed the con See Officials page 8 FAN SALE RETAIL & WHOLESALE LIGHTING Oakville's Finest LIGHTING STORE in the Oakville Home Improvement District Ask about k our FREE Installation OPEN SUNDAYS 243 Speers Road · Between Kerr & Dorval · Oakville, ON· 905.849.LITE (5483) · www.conceptlighting.ca